New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-09-06
THE BACK PAY DISCUSSION.
a PUNT WUI-IH CUNoIUEIsINN
.s EGttOr Of The Tribune.

A POINT WORTH CONSIDERING.
To the EGttor Of The Tribune.
SIR: Surprising ono of our scrupulous-
minded Congressman, after returning his back pay "a
Uncle Sans strong box should die and supposng his
less scrupulous heirs and assigns should choose 10
ecute Uncle Sam and get the money backf In view ID
the question raised by Gen. Spinner. would it not Be
well to fix this little matter, and set aside the possibility
Of all future claims MERCHANT.
Neic York, Aug "a. 1873.
"HARPING UPON THE BACK PAY BUSINESS"
To the Editor Of The Tribune.
SIR: | hope from my heart you will "keer
harping upon tho back pay business" until 1t no Longer
seems necessary" 1t will OF be disagreeable 70
some, the frequent mention Of criminal or immoral
conduct naturally would be to those who have been
the habit OF indulgng in what they term little rregu-
lartesp The back pay grabbers" and all who SYM
pathize with them should be handled without goves
and know OF no who do IL better grace
fully than you. What you have said regarding this mat
ter I have read with keener relish than any thing
have seen in any previous issue of your paper and
read daily for about a years with the exception
Of few months during the Presidential canvass.
1t may be little satisfaction to know that place a.
high an estimate on TIE TRIBUNE now 1 did
IT'S not 80 much for lack OF ideas want OF power
to express them that do not treat the subject more
fully. &C.
Gete- YorE, Aug. 30, 1873.
MARK THE BACK-PAY CONGB SsMEN.
TO tn EdttOr or The TrtbHne.
SIR: The TRIBUNE is meeting with the APP
prevail OF all good citizens II the It Is taking
to expose the various schemes OF fraud and corruption
which prevail throughout the land. am certain that
all those who desire honest administration Of the af-
fairs Of Government will commend your efforts to make
appear its true light the dishonesty and ascaty OF
those Congressman who voted for black pay" Tae
rinseader and members of Congress who by their votei
sustained that niqutous scheme of plundecIng the
Traaa pught M laUa mQ mt
never again be allowed 10 hold Office But is not extra
ordinary aud surprising that any OF the people Of tho
good old state of Massachusetts, should think OF placing
such demagogue Butler in office! Sd stranger
that he should expect TO receive the nomination for Hov
ernor of state which has in the past conferred that
honor upon many pure worthy, and patriotic men, L
you will perseyere until cause dishonest office
holders of all classes TO be held strictly account for
their evil dongs and expose them 10 the neglect ana
contempt they 50 justly deserve.
NeiC-HdUen. Conn.,, Aug. %, 1873.
POLITICAL oBsCURIrY THE FATE OF sAIARY-GRAs.
BERs.
70 the Edtt0r OF The Tribune.
SIR: In December, 1899, l made the ac-
quaintance OF Horace Greeley returning with him from
Harrisburg TO New York after the nomination Of Gen
Harrison and John Tyler. Then in his 2oth year. he
impressed with his intelligence and his knowledge
Of men by his comments upon Mr. Clay, Mr. Webster,
and Others Later interviews led me to regard him
months later when at Albany, remarked 10 TS>
low Weed that we wanted an able Wing paper in Nv
York less expensive than The Courier and Enquirer,
and better ADAPTED TO mold the Whig sentiment of the
country. He replied In the Spring you will have Just
the paper you need conducted by OF the abest ed
itOrs in this country" In July. lsil became sub
scriber to THE DAILY TRIBUNE which has proved
library for myself and family. Irejoice that is charac
ter is TO be maintained.
Clay Webster, Calhoun, Clss, Seward, Douglas,
Chase and Greeley have all aspired to the Presidency
and failed; while Gen. Harrison Polk Gen. Taylor.
Pierce Buchanan and Gen. Grant second and third
rate men, have occupied the White House L. it not
lamentabe commentary upon our institutions that
statesmen OF talent and culture must defer 10 inferior
meni And If anything needed to consummate ths
degradation OF politics, the late Congress, following
the lead OF b. f. Butler accomplished that object.
well remember when Congress advanced is pay from
IS per day TO $500 the session, - 90 the COhDie Term
Tor which they are chosen. So sensitive at mat time
were the people I'm relation the public funds that the
affirmative vote upon that question consigned to OBJ
scmity some OF the abest mon IN the natiSn IN SeE-
York. such Henry r. storr Of Oneida, John Suy-
dam OF Us(er James nmadge OF DutcheSs. ana others
equally distinguished No one OF them ever fec9yrfso
his political intuence and 80 will r be win the shea-
bargers and Carpenters all over the country VINO voted
for the Salary bill Retirement is stamped upon their
oreheads. The advance TO $500 10 our repretnttyes
at Washington was an enormous stflde-Sl0o" iot niue
Two-thirs OF both Houses could not half the money
in any other position. further advance ~ sialles
when the country owes more thhh s1VOJoV, S's ~ an
worthy only of "a reckless Congress- Had Gen
Grant been endowed with good share OF s1gloy, ms
would have foreseen declining revenue for TWO or
years least and knowing the depression mat
peryades country, he should nave promptly
returned the bill. Falling to do so, and sgnhg the Dlh
he a party the most infamous LEGISLATION ever
enacted Washington. Does any one believe thaL Mr..
greeley in the same position, would have signed the bif
He would have returned 1t with Message that would
I have made B IN Butter vince.
Early ia December effort viii be made to repeal
the law. The vote upon that question Viii seal the
political fate both houses Of Congress- Cen Butler
and the Senator from Wisconsin, 70 the contrary not
wihstandng By the vote on tie repeal we shall learn
who Of our representatives are SauShed win SIlo per
month of aCtull service when tne former law
them and who claim 81 $50 month Ol service under
the present law. The back pat INTO the Dl 0y
the Committee Urt0e 10 force tuc measure through
Congress. Not less obnoxious u republican rule
the advance in other salaries. The Commits &c seem 10
have forgotten that few since, when the
tyIug greater than tuesc salaries adj
vanced a point never contemplated ~ the people.
The whole thing was uucacd Tor. Z.
Stamford, Conn.,, Aug. ~, 1873.