Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-12-22
THE SALARY BILL.

THE SALARI DIIaL.
We trust that the Senate will display
better temper and judgment in dealing
with the salary bill than have been exhibit
ed by the House. The manners and speech
of General Butler will not commend
themselves as fitting examples for sena-
tors, nor do we think the temper of his
colleagues who sustained the Hurlbut
substitute will control the action of the
Senate. Since the close of the last Con-
gress the people Of large part of the
United States have passed upon the sal
ary-increase bill, in their conventions,
invariably denouncing it and demanding
its repeal. Such an expression is one that
NO member of Congress should disregard.
whatever may be his private opinion as to
the matter, and more especially because
his pocket is directly interested in the
matter. This last feature of the case might
well lead members to distrust their own
judgment and accept the popular de-
cision, for the pocket is q persuasive ad-
vocate, often leading men of good in
tentions and honest purposes astray. When
men of oil parties outside of Congress
agree that the increase was wrong and
ought to be repealed, it seems to us an
unreasonable thing to attribute the public
feeling to the work of demagogues, and
an unsafe act to treat it with contempt.
Beside this. since the salary-increase
act was passed the country has expe-
rienced financial troubles and difficulties
that have cut down the revenues of the
government, reduced the profits of bust
ness and the pay of nearly all classes of
persons who live by their industry, and
with such state Of things the increased
salaries seem entirely inconsistent. The
Secretary Of the Treasury informs Con-
gress that the receipts of the government
will not meet its expenditures, and that
loan or new taxation will be necessary to
supply the deficiency; is it wise thing
with such prospect in view tor Congress
to spend days higgling about an increase
of five hundred dollars TO their own
salaries? Mr.. Dawes calls for reduction
Of expenditures to help the government
over ito endorsements, and how can
Congress better begin the work than by
placing their salaries back as they were
before the increase? If the salaries had
not been increased at the last session, does
any one suppose that in our embarrassed
financial circumstances they would be
raised now? Certainly not; and SO our
present condition furnishes an argument
for going squarely back.
The bill introduced by Mr.. Hale has re-
ceived such an endorsement by the public
that Congress should be satisfied to adopt
it. The bill passed by the House is not
satisfactory. 1t will not answer the pop
ular demand and expectation. We can
see no reason why the dignity of the Sem
ate or House would be impaired by yield
ing in this case; to yield generously will
be more honorable than do so grudgingly.
There is clamor raised about this sal.
airy bill and the grievous effect it will pro-
duce in the republican party that is rash
where friendly, but in some cases springs
from an unfriendly source. The repuoli-
can party will have to endure its share of
opprobrium for the wrong acts OF its men,
bers in Congress, but it will stand or fall
Judged by its works as whole. 1t would
be well for republicans to make sure that
the motives of those who assail the republi-
can party because OF the salary increase are
honorable. Fair, honest criticism should
be tolerated, even invited. If republicans
in Congress prove unfaithful they will
lose the confidence of their constituents,
and their places will be filled with other
men. The republican party itselfis sound
to the core, as sound as it ever was. fully
capable of keeping up its organization and
applying the necessary correctives which
the public good requires. Those people
and newspapers that imagine it is going to
tumble to pieces on account of the vaga-
ries and dirt-throwing of General Butler
have but small appreciation of the
strength which it contains.
We hope, however, the salary business
will be placed on the footing demanded
by the people, and then of course the
scolding about that will cease. General
Butler is not good leader in this matter,
but General Opinion will be Il safe guide
to follow.
FINANCE IN THE SENATE
The rsnorf of Inc E;nanca Goun.n;..on L.