New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-08-16

thew miscalculated. They left out Of
view several important elements OF the situa-
ton. The fact that there was no great
political interest at stake. set the public judg-
ment free ON questions of morals. The farm
era were even then puzzled by the problem of
their own hard work and small gains. The
theft of five thousand dollars by vote lost
none of it's enOrmity IN the eyes OF man
whose farm was mortgaged to that amount,
with no prospect of ever paying IT, III there
WAS little envy in the farmers denuncla-
tions. that made them none the less hearty.
And besides this, il is now undeniable that
the bonds of party allegiance are for the mo-
mani weaker than they have been for years,
and even the enormous discipline OF the Re-
publican party is not enough to make its
voters generally shut their eyes to the wrong
doing of its leaders, when such wrong-dong
is open and fragrant.
The consequence is that this back-pay bust
ness has become one Of the most important
nolitical incidents of recent years. In spite
of the fact that it passed by a decided major
ity of Congress, that it was favored by the
President and the leaders of the party, and
its proceeds pocketed by nearly all the Con-
gressmen of both parties, it Is defended by
scarcely a newspaper in the country, and
almost every convention that meets adopts a
resolution against it as regularly as they used
to resolve that the pensions of the soldiers
and sailors must be punctually paid This is a
wholesome and cheering thing In itself,
but as yet this movement OF public con-
science lacks definite purpose and tendency.
The Pennsylvania Convention the other day
directly censured nearly the whole delegation
from that State by cOndemning the increase
of salaries and the back-pay theft. and de-
manded the immediate repeal of the law.
This does not appear to us as remedy ap-
propriate to the evil. There may be two sides to
the question whether five thousand dollarsa year
is too much or too little for the salary of Con-
gresham. But there can be no doubt whether
Congressman should be permitted to vote
money ad libitum directly into their own
rockets The members of the House of
Representatives are elected for the short
term of two years, and one-third of
the Senate is renewed during the
same period. There is therefore never
any occasion for hurry in changing the COM
pensation allowed by law, and no necessity
therefore excuses the indecency of members
voting to increase their own pay. 1t Is pro-
yided by the Constitution that the compensa-
tiOD of the President "shall neither be in
creased nor diminished during the period
for which he shall have been elected; and
"he shall not receive within that period any
d" other emolument from the United States or
"any of them" The experience of the last
few years clearly indicates that this provision
should be extended to the salaries of Congress
men also. The power of increasing their own pay
at pleasure should be taken away from them
by an amendment to the Constitution. If the
present salary should ever come to seem mad
eduate, Congress may increase 1t, the increase
to begin at some given future date. But the
liberty to draw from the Treasury whatever
they choose by way of compensation should
be taken from them 1t Is not prudent to
keep such temptation forever before the kind
of men we send to Congress. When such grabs
are made more difficult, we shall possibly also
have better class of candidates.
This is the only security for the future. An
example should also be made of the past.
The men who took that money last Spring
have shown themselves unfit for a position
demanding so much power of self-cOntrol as
that of public legislator. The Conventions
now meeting and resolving against the back
pay theft are assuming an evident response
bility. 1t is for them TO say whether their
words shall be made mere derision by the
return to Congress of the imen they have so
denounced. Among them are many whom it
has been the habit of the whole country to
respect and esteem. Even in their cases there
is not so much to lose, as there is hope of
gain in their exemplary defeat. But that this
may be accomplished and bring forth good
results there is one thing indispeusable-tha
they be replaced by better men.