Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-04-17
rHE RUTLAND HERALD.
The Noble, MANLY way.

We never did have any regard for men
who make SO many pretensions we
IKE 10 see man stand up and fight
square. manly battle and, when he is
beaten, acknowledge it. We are not
talking about physical battles. OurSen-
ators and Representatives In Congress
were opposed TO the ''back pay" law,
and said so. They voted against it. In
thus acting and voting, they carried out
their honest convictions. Notwithstand-
ing their votes, the bill became law
and they were entitled to tho "back
nav" 1t belonged to them and to no
one else. The New Hampshire Repre-
sentatives, being candidates for re-elec-
ton, made great pretensions to honor
and honesty, and would not touch the
unholy thing. As soon as the election
was over, however, they made haste TO
get 1t. This was all right enough, for
the money was theirs, If they had not
made such pretensions to extraordinary
sensitiveness. Others there are who still
refuse to draw this money, and claim
credit for their refusal. They know
but hope that the people do not under
stand it-that the extra pay has been set
apart and appropriated for them. 1t be-
longs to them and not to the govern
ment. They or their heirs can obtain 1t
at any time. There is no virtue or pa
triotism in their actions. Their refusals
are mere pretenses and shams. Our Sen
ators and Representatives, we are pleas
ed to see, have taken a more honorable
and manly course. They were opposed
10 the principle of voting themselves
back pay. They knew, however, that
the power rested in Congress to dispose
of the whole subject. They opposed
the bill by every means in their power.
They voted against it at every stage, and
In every form in which it could be pre-
sented. Notwithstanding their repeated
and persistent efforts and votes, the bill
became law. The money was appro-
priated. It ceased to belong to the gov
eminent. The United States, by virtue
anu vi luG laws ONbh LAlN
amount of the extra pay to each and
every Senator and Representative from
Vermont, as we'll as from other States.
They could leave the money with the
proper department at Washington, come
home and pirate to their constituents
about honor, integrity and sacred regard
for the public treasury, and, when the
talk and excitement about the matter
was over-two or four years hence
quietly draw and pocket the money, and
say no more about it, We of Vermont
are represented by different class of
men. If they are opposed to bill, they
80 say and vote. If it is enacted over
their vot es and in spite of their protests,
they submit to the law as becomes good
citizens. We make these remarks be-
cause we see it stated that our delega-
ton have drawn their back pay. We
presume this is so-we know it is in the
case with Senator Morrill,, as letter
written by him to the State Treasurer
indicates. He-the Senator-writes to
Treasurer Page, incloslng cnecK Tor
81, S40.S8, being the amount of his extra
pay, with the request that it be applied
to the reduction of the State debt. This
Is an honorable and noble disposition
of the money. The law gave it to the
Senator, and he, as he had the right to
do, donates it to the State. Here is no
pretension, but acts. The money is APP
piled for the benefit of his constituents.
lie receives it under the law and deyotes
II to the relief of his fellow taxpayers.
He was right in receiving the money,
and he has taken noble and praise
worthy course in his method of disposing
of 1t. All honor to such men.