Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1873-12-02
SALARIES AND BAcK-PAY.

As was anticipated. Roscoe Conk-
ling, who voted for and took his back
a and who defended 1t before his
constituents In Hsrkimer and Oneida
counties, New York, Is now zealously
taking the back track. He is foremost
In the race to repeal the act and re-
turn the swag. Yesterday he intro
ducsd a bill into the Senate providing
for conveying into the Treasury all
the bacx-pay returned and prohibiting
the payment Of all sums not yet CALL
ed for. This, II passed, will prevent
further disbursements on this account.
and Is supposed to legalize the dona-
tons Of back-pay already made BY
penitent Congressman to the Treasury.
Not to be outdone by the Honorable
Roscoe, Senator Pratt, OF Indiana,
during the day introduced a
bill fixing the salaries Of members OF
Congress at the old figures, 5000, eS.
elusive Of travelling expenses to and
from Washington, and allowing each
member 5000 for stationery and post
age. Senator Wright, Of Iowa, also
introduced a bill to repeal the act OF
March 8, 1873, increasing salaries, etc..
which provides that all salaries In
creased by that Act be fixed at the
same amounts As they we're before Its
passage; though SC far as it applies to
the President it takes effect AFTER his
term under the Constitution; but so
far as 1t applies to Senators, reprssen-
tatives and others. 1t takes effect upon
the date OF the passage Of the bill.
This bill provides that It shall not be
so construed as to revive the franking
privilege.
Last evening = Republican caucus
was held in relation to this back pay
and salary business. A resolution was
offered by Kasson, OF Iowa, providing
for the repeal OF the bill so far IS 1t Is
applicable to members Of Congress and
the employees Of the two Houses, and
for the appointment Of a committee to
perfect the bill, which was adopted.
The chair appointed asa committee for
the purpose named, Messrs. kssson,
Tremain, Butler, Thomas and Hale.
The caucus Is represented by gentle
men present to have been three to one
for the repeal of the law.
1t thus appears that the universal
condemnatio IN Of this Ubiquitous meas
ure, both by press and people, has had
Its designed effect. The action Of Re-
publican Congressman In this matter
affords gratifying assurance that they
appreciate and will act In accord with
public sentiment or the question. The
cry of some Of tho subsidized sheets
claiming fellowship with the Republi-
can party-whieh they disgrace by
mere contact-that the people were
sick OF hearing about back pay, that II
vas only the so-cslled independent
press which was responsible for the
trouble in this matter, has, like sun
dry other attempts to cover up wrong
under the skirts Of a great party, been
of no avail. The people have been 10
earnest In the matter, and the past
elections proved their Intention to ad'
miulster a deserved rebuke to Con
gress. The admonition it seems will
be needed, and we have faith to be
lieve that the session Of Congress JUS
commenced will more nearly reflect
In It's legislation the views aud desires
of Republican electors than any since
the Let US hope that this may
be so, not merely for the preservation
Of a party grand in conception ant
with a proud record, but for the ben
eft Of the nation whose interests arr
yet in its keeping.