New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-07-09
TRACKS ALL ONE BAY.


nav by the handful-as easy as the descent to
hell; for it only requires the votes of men,
beers of Congress who, like Mr.. Butler; can
easily earn more money in their professional
practice than their rsalaries amount to, or
who, like Mr.. Matt Carpenter, shed money as
the rains fall, and the signature of Presi-
dent who has become saturated with
the idea that his services are not half
compensated, and that he deserves as
well of his country as Marlborough did OF
England. But it isn't so easy If ever one
gets unduiet in conscience about it-and there
are conscences that have great disturbing
capacities when the wrath OF the people
kindles under them-tO restore the back pay
to the Treasury where it, belongs. This seems
Tn he a business in which there are no steps
backward, or if there are they must be taken
through complications Of Congressional and
social etiquette over the ruins of the Constl-
tuition, and in the face of the flaming sword
which the Majesty Of Law holds over the path.
II was at first question Of etiquette. The
appropriation having passed by the votes OF a
majority of the very honorable and upright
gentlemen who compose the Congress, 1t oc-
CURED to some of the squeamish ones who did
not vote for it and who were standing Oft at
distance contemplating it deprecatingly and yet
wistfully, that much as they despised 1t, shocked
as they were at the whole transaction, and
determined to have nothing to do with it, after
all it would be very discOurteous to the honor
able gentlemen their colleagues who dd
take it, to refuse and spurn it. Twist
ing the temptation between thumb
and finger, they said 4: "NOw how very
Internationally it would be to refuse this back
"pay and so by implication rebuke the gentle
"men with whom we have been so long asso-
"ciated and whom we know to be acting from
"the best and purest motives, who have drawn
"their share of it. To be sure we do not think
ait is honest OF square, but they do, and we are
"as liable to err as they. Not for mere diff
ference of opinion on such question will we
Consent to injure the feelings of friends. We
"will not assume any such airs OF virtue as
"will give our friends otlense." And so, not
because they wanted the money or considered
the "Salary Grab" an honest transac-
ton, but simply from chivalrous regard
for the feelings of their friends, they either
drew their back pay or left it convenient to
be drawn some time hereafter. 1t was not
avarice or greed or covetousness or any of
The farthest from that-it was rather noble
and chivalrous unselfshness; the kind of
feeling that actuated Adam when he took the
proffered apple just to show Eve that he was
willing to take the chances with her. And
afterward when upbraided with their conduct
they repeated Adams defense, which was not
quite so disinterested.
Besides the heightened gentlemen who did
not see how they could refuse it without Civ
ing their friends offense-0f whom Mr. Shella-
barger was a most distinguished champion
there were few, very few, who did not pro-
pose under any circumstances, even as mat
ter of comfy or courtesy, to touch the plum
der. To them came Mr.. Matt Carpenter,
gentleman learned in all legal subtlety and
yersed in constitutional law. And that distln-
guished gentleman informs them that much
as they might desire TO refuse the back
nav, they cannot do it under the Con-
stitution That sacred instrument, he says
provides that "The Senators and Representa-
"tives shall receive compensation for their
services, to be ascertained by law and paid
Z" out of the Treasury of the United States"
And after reading this he adds Mark the
Significant and emphatic language of the
" Constitution ~ Under this provision, he
SAYS no Senator or member of Congress can
refuse to receive the compensation fixed by
law. "Suppose," he says, "a conspiracy to be
" entered into tomorrow among the million
" aires of the Senate-Sprague of Rhode Island
Zach. Chandler and Ferry of Michigan, FIRE.
"hngbuysen of New-Jersey, Hamilton of Mary
Gland Jones of Nevada, and others-not to
receive any compensation for their services,
"and not to associate with or recognize as
gentlemen those who should receive any
",such compensation. Can there be doubt that
"such an aristocratical combination to change the
character of the Senate, and force poor men
"out of its seats, would be direct and open
" violation of the Constitution, which ex-
"pressly provides that Senators shall receire'
4" the compensation which is fixed by law?
"Cnstom is as strong as law, and social in
I" fluence may defy the law. The tendency of
"late has been to fill the Senate with men of
wealth. And when their numbers shall be
Increased, combination between them, like
" that supposed might produce practical
revolution of the Government, and establish
4" a condition of official life which would make
cit so uncomfortable for poor men to hold
"seats in the Senate that they would decline
q to do so, and give the Senate over to the
milliOnaires Of the country
The effect of this graphic picture upon the
Wisconsin mind must have been painful to
witness; but we have not yet heard of any
excited mobs going about to the residences of
Wisconsin Congressman demanding that they
take the back pay, ia order TO save the Con
stitution ard prevent the Government falling
into the hands Of an " aristocratical coalbila