Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1873-06-27
FJLTTiCAL.
senator carpenter to the Front
He Discusses Credit MObilier and
Back Pay,

And JustIGses the MOney-Grabbers
MILWAUKEE, June Ex-senator Matt
II. Carpenter made his speech at James,
vile o-night, as announced, in dtiferce Of
Congress, for voting increased salary, In.
clu:iDg hack pay. bis speech occupied
two hours in delivery, and ipclades an
exposition of the Credit Mobilier affairs.
He argued that the entire transac ions OF
Credit Mobilier did not involve any wrong
or corruption, explaining the relations Ct
that corpo; alton to the Pacific Railroad
Company, and to the G5vernmsnt. he
said the Credit Mobilier Investigation of
last winter left a stain over the nation,
asd cast a gloom over those who believe
in mans capacity for self government.
The freedom of the press is indispensable TO
free istituticns, and yet 1t seems as though
the freedom of the press was the only
freedom left in the country. 1t seems as
though freedom Of the press is absolute
despotism. The press frightened Colfax
and Patterson into the idea that to own
Mobilier stock was criminal, and they sp-
pear to have rushed into an effort to dis
prove their ownership. Tie proof
convinees all men they were
mistaken, and the uncharitsble that they
intended TO prevaEicate, and so these men
who had before the Investigation done moth
ing worthy of censure, are whistled down
the wind, wrecked, ruined freyer, and
forty millions of people are stamped with
apprehension and alarm. had these men
faced the font, and said, "Yes, we had
this stock, and had right to have it" that
would have been the end. No man can
Tn ~ efnnk
the Credit Mobilier Company, more than in
owning stock ia a National bank, or in own
ing sheep, while Congress may lay 6 ter Il
on wool. Ifthe stock was give as a brloe,
that was a crime; but no one pretends this.
The men who were injured by the lnvestl-
CATION fell victim TO their moral coWardice,
aud the people were thrown in panic for
absolutely no'hin.. He then discussed the
back pay business. He agreed that our
Government differs from ar aristocratlc
government because the Constitution pro-
yides that its officers shall receive compen-
sation to be fixed by law for official services.
Il is a compensation for services, not gra-
tuity. 1t is incumbent on officers TO receive
their lawful compensation, because the
Constitution says they shall do it. He then
argued that $500 year is not too large
Compensation for Congressional services,
il fit men are elected, and if unfit men are
elected, whose services are worthless, the
fault is with the people.
After showing that Gov. Washburn, Of
this State, in Congress in 1858, voted for
an increase from eight dollars q day to
s., 600 q yea, gold, including eightee n
monthe' back pay, and euumerstiDg others
WHO did the same in 1856 and 1866, he
said am very happy to have my colleague,
Judge Hawes: permission to say to you to-
nipht, although he thought it not
best to pass the l. crease salary bill at the
last session and therefore voted against it,
vet that be believes $500 not above fair
compenszion for services, he has drawn
the money and sees no reason for return
ing ii. The conclusion of his speech is as
follows:
Washington left an impression Of this
character upon his own and succ edlng
generations. jefferson, Madison, Hamilton
and others gave an impulse to pu0nc
thought, and fixed the standard OF public
virtue, under which we have grown to be q
great and happy people; but 1t was lett 1or
| Oakes Ames to lift the standard of publlC
virtue clear out of morta' reach and clean
out Of human sight. Things viewed IN the
light of our Saviour's teaching, as esti
m sted by the standard of Christianity and
morality, are harmless as doves. Are Lar
cenies mortal sins in the light of 1873, as
estimated by the standard of alarm and
fright created by Oakes Ames and the Credi
Moblier investigation? Earthquakes some,
! times come and and storms sometimes, but
! the earth does no. always rock nor ralni
always fall, and we may hope the presen
sicklY morality will some time give place u
manly and healthy virtue.
The Liberals in Council
NEW YORK, June pa number Q
Liberal Republicans of this State, conspicu
ous in the lasE Presidential ca paign, me
in secret session in the S.. Nicholas Hote
TODAY, Col. Frederick A. Conkling pre-
siding, ard listened to addresses by JohI
Cochran and others on their duties in th'
futur.