New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-12-02
THE BACK-PAY QUESTION.


THE REPUBLICANS PUT THE DEMOCRATS TO SHAME
BY PLEDGISG THEMSELVES To THE REPEAL OF
THE BACK PAY BuL-B +. BULER FINALLY SHOWS
DIFFERENCE FOR PUBLIC OPINION. AND SUPPORTS
THE REPEAL-A COMMITTEE APPOINTED TO DRAW
UP A SUITABLE BILL-S5,00O TO BE THE SALARY
OF MENIBERs-ALARM EXHIBITED AT TIE NDIG-
NATION OF THE PRoPLE.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l
WASHINGTON Dec. 1.-The Republicans of the
House have put to shame the Democrats. who deted
public opinion to-day by supporting Fernando
Wood for Speaker by pedging themselves in caucus
to repeal the back-pay iniquity. 1t may be remem-
bered that, during the recess Mr. Hale Of Maine, in
State convention, promised to introduce resolu-
ton to repeal this bill, and pledged the support of
the Maine delegation for it. This afternoon,
Just before the adjournment, he gave notice
that he should tomorrow bring in the
proposed resolution and press it to an
immediate vote. Previously. during the afternoon,
16 Republican members had signed a call for a
caucus TO consider this subject and when it became
apparent that the question was sure to come up to-
morrow, Mr.. Maynard, the permanent chairman OF
the caucus, lelrredly prepared notice calling the
meeting for tonight This unusual haste was
necessary to prevent disrepuable party qnarrel IN
the open House. such would be sure to take place
should the question come up without some previous
arrangement in regard to the manner In which 1t
should be managed
When the caucus met this evening nearly every
Republican member was present. Mr.. Maynard az
once took the chair and explained the business for
which the meeting was called. He was followed
by NJ Hale, who read the resolution he intended to
introduce and defended it at some length. Mr.
Hawley of Connecticut, who distinguished himself
last Spring by his very able opposition
to the back-pay swindle, made an eloquent
speech in favor Of its repeal, and proposed that
bill be agreed to, reducing the salary OF members oil
Congress- after the present year. to S5,oOO ana
actual travelling expenses. X. H. Butler Oh len
nessee and the colored Congressman Raney, besides
several other Southern representatives, opposed any
action on the subject Their constituents were
satisfied to have the increased compensation remain
as it was and they therefore, had no interest in Its
repeal
b. F. Butler, who has heretofore been so defiant OF
public opinion on this subject and who has defended
the steal OH every occasion, showed by his speech
that even his thick skin could be penetrated. lie
said that in Difference TO the popular demand he was
willing 10 pass bill not only to repeal the
increase but TO authorize suits to be
brought to recover the money that had
already been drawn as back pay. Mr.. 1remain said
that such o law could not be passed. because the
members who had pocketed the money had drawn
it under the law and repeal could not work
forfeiture of it, since it would be an post facto
proceeding. Speeches were made by nearly all OF
the prominent members of the House and by many
of those who appeared the floor for the first time
to-day. No formidable opposition to the repeal was
developed
The final action of the caucus was the passage of
two resolutions The first, offered by Ir Kasson. was
70 che effect that committee of five should be APP
Ia for he Of
of salaries made by the bill OF last session. except IN
cases where there is a. constitutional bar to such
repeal-those of the President and the Supreme
Court Judgestho bill to be presented in the House
at the first opportunity. The other resolution,
offered by Mr. Kelley, proposed that before
action was had upon the committees BILL
all bills upon the subject introduced IN
the House should be referred to an appropriate
standing committee without debate. The vote in
favor of these resolutions was almost unanimous.
The Committee was appointed by the Chair, and
consists of Messrs Kasson, Butler, fireman. Thomas
and one other member. The Republican members
are evidently alarmed at the indignant attitude oil
the people and are determined TO exhibit repentance
for the sin of the Salary Grab before further dls
aster overooks their party. as the consequence oil
that stupendous price Of selfshness and folly.
THREE BILLS INTRODUCED IN THE SENATE FOR THE
REPEAL OF THE BACK-PAY BILL OF LAST SIS
sIoN-MEssRs CoNKIING. WRIGHT, AND PRATT
THEIR AUTHORS.
iDY TELEGRAPH THE TIfDUNEJ
WASHINGTON, Dec. 1.-Appended is the full
text OF each of the BackPay bills introduced in the
Senate to-day
Ry Mr. CopklingBe it enacted. etc, That all moneys
approprlated compensation 10 the members OF the
| XIIId Congress ia or the mileage anu allow
ances fixed by law at the commencement OF sau COh'
Sress and which shall not have been drawn by the
members OF said Congress- or which, having peen drawn
Rave heen returned any form TO the United States
are hereby covered into the Treasury of the United
and are to be the moneys OF the United
states the same If they had never been appropriated
| as aforesaid. go -.
nv Mr. Wrght-Be enacted de-. That 40 much OF tho
act of March g. 1873 entitled An act making appropra
tons for the legislative, executive, aud Judcnc cA-
nensps of the Government for the fiscal year ending
JuDe 3 1874" provides for the Increase OF the sal
aries of the President ePresident and othsr officers
therein named and the II hereby REPEALED ana
the salaries and compensation OF all said officers ana
| clerks of every and description shall be ana re
main as by the laws In force at tue time OF the
passage the act tho provisions OF when are hcep
repealed Provided That nothing herein contained sinai
b, give revive the frankins pfiVlese
and Propided further. That this repeal 50 Tar M re-
aos 10 the salary OF President shall not take elect
uut the 4h day Of March, 1871 on aud after when DAY
s1id repeal as to the salary OF said officer sinai nave
u force and effect and as 10 all other onicers IRON anu
| after tho taking effect or TINS ACT -. - &C..
Hy Mr. Pr8tt-Be u enncied' &C.. Tnht tne o,n'tolh,
Represontatyes aud Delegates In tho XLilId Congress
mn