The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1873-04-06
The Congressionn, Back Pay.


The Congregational Back Pay.
The increase in their pay, voted them
selves by tho members Of the Forty
second Congress, with retroactive effect,
is very generally condemned and de-
nounced. Many members are fastening
to declare that they will not take it.
Wo give below the most recent intelli-
gence upon the subject. Congressman
Elliott is the only member from this
State who has said anything about it
publicly. he contradicts the soft i'm
peachment that he had refused the OK.
ira pay, and intimates that were it again
an open question, he would pursue the
same course:
The New jersey press is anxiously
awaiting to hear from the Congressman
of that State on tho question Of extra
back pay. Thus far not member OF
the delegation has spoken.
Congressman Clinton L. Merriam, of
the Twenty-frst New York District, ac.
cording to the Albany Express, will not
accept his extra back pay, aud considers
the whole salary grab an outrageous
swindle upon the Government.
Vice-President Wilson called at the
Treasury Department., in Washington,
and gave Secretary Richardson on order
on the Secretary of the Senate for his
additional back pay, amounting 10
u, 443, which he desired should be re-
turned into the Treasury, and, if posi-
BILE, applied to the extinguishment OF the
national debt.
The proposition for Congressman to
devote their SIS. 900 OF extra back pay 10
the completion of the Washington
Monument does not mect the approval
OF the Harrisburg (Penusylvania) Jour
ndl It says that, "morally and in every
manly sense, the vote WAS dishonorable,
and it begs the managers of the monu-
ment fuAd to preserve tho memory of
Washington from insult by declining to
build monument to the Father OF his
Country with the stealings Of faithless
public servants"
The Philadelphia Press announces
that Congressman John Scott, of Penn.
sylvania, has not received his extra back
pay; Exo mora ~, ,ro, . :, y, !, 900 ..,...,
their allotment of back pay furnished
them by the salary bill-P. Van Trump,
OF the Twelfth Ohio District, and O. w.
Willard, OF the First Vermont District
The Illinois Legislature is considering
tho following joint resolutions: "That,
without regard to politics or party ties,
we do most emphaticalIy plaoe the seal OF
our condemnation upon our Senators and
Representatives in Congress from this
State, who, by their own votes, increased
fhair Oryn IN =, t,, ct fSAO ,.os
took bonus of $4,000 for services al
ready rendered; and wo further condemn
tho President OF the United States for
signing tho bill by which they were en-.
ablcd to rcalize the increased pay, and
his own salary increased by $50, ,OOO."
just at this time, when the indignation
over the salary steul is becoming exceed
ingly warm, the following extract from
General Hawiey's speech in tho Senate,
February "a, when the matter was under
consideration, is peculiarly interesting:
"One purity already has it's grave dug,
and the other wants to be side by side
with it. Back of these two political par.
ties are the American people, who will
have something still further to say about
the question. care 80 little about par
tics and elections, that, il this is to be
the style of legislation, am willing to
assist at the digging and tho funeral, and
l don't care what party comes after it.
We can't have anything worse, in my
opinion, than the party which begins,
six months after the most ardent pro.
fessions OF economy, to raise our own
salaries. 40 that We may put in our pock.
cts $4,000 not dreamed about until two
or three weeks ago."