The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1873-06-28
(Prom the Burlington Free Press.)
The Disposition of the Back Pay.---
should u senator Return IL to the
United states or 10 his state ,
LETTER PROM SENATOR MORRILL,.
STAMFORD, VT, June 25.

LETTER PROM sRNATOE MORRILL,.
STAFFORD, VT, June IS.
Hon. &. g. Benedict, burlington, ".
My DEAR SIR by the tone of the
public press 1t would seem that have
made wrong disposition of my part of
the so-called Congressional "back pay" If
the press occupy higher plane of action
than that upon which have stood, it is
my duty to climb up to it if can; but,
while do not insist that they are wrong,
may not be allowed to show why l have
been, and remain still, unconscious of
transgressing any rule of morality or bust
ness propriety 1t is barely possible that
the important difference between the case
OF Senator and that of Representative
has been overlooked, or that the reasons by
which have been guided have not been
fully presented, or, if they have, that less
weight has been accorded to them by
Others than by myself. To be thought
right is well, but to be right, at my time of
life, is far better.
The press is generally none too bold in
its criticisms, and would by no means
dull its edge, as in its ''sober second
thought" it is always apt to be Just but
criticism, to be lastingly effective should
not call a shovel spade when 1t is really
shovel, nor brand whole body of men as
corrupt when 1t is very certain that some,
and probably much the larger part, were
absolutely stainless. BY no means am /
about to appeal from the press to the peo-
pie, but may ask the press to hear before
they decidep Is II not, however, little
queer that the mode of emptying my pock-
cts of "back pay" should from any cause
appear to excite more comment than its re-
tention might have done? Certainly, no
notoriety was sought or anticipated, and
there was no near election pending that
would suggest base object even to an enc
my, Gf have any), or the grovelling work
of propitiating a constituency by contri-
button to their pockets. IT the bribe was
not large enough to tempt me, it was
too small to corrupt whole state with.
My only purpose was to satisfy myself,
whether others were satisfied or not, and to
complete the sincerity and symmetry of my
own record on the question, which was at
every stage distinctly and pointedly adverse
to the passage OF the measure. After its
fnal passage my purpose not to receive
the "back pay" was avowed, and the only
matter undetermined was, what should be
done with 1t, and this at last was deter
mined in accordance with what to me APP
peared to be the simple dictate of duty and
the sternest requirements of equity. Being
able to trace so much of 1t, restored 1t to
those from whence it came.
The salary question Is undoubtedly a |
grave one, but one that under the Consti- |
tuition always has been and always must be |
determined by Congress itself. From the |
foundation OF the government, Congress
has repeatedly exercised this grant of pow
er. No other body has Jurisdiction of the
subject. The same prerogative is held
and constantly exercised by every Legisla-
tive body OF the country. Its exercise by
Congress was legitimate, and 1t Is only its
abuse that calls for denunciation. If Con-
gressmen err, as think they haye erred,
by. putting too high an estimate upon the
value Of their services, the people must
teach them more modesty and retiring
habits. Let those and only those who have
been guilty of any abuse have the full
weight of the penalty.
II q not disputed that the compensation
should be enough 10 command the services
OF men OF ability and integrity, whether
rich or poor, aud whether engaged In pros