Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1874-01-15

earnestly hope to escape the accusation of
dceaying foalty to the Republican party.
in simply reproducing his terse, rugged
aud emphatic language. 5m. +
We use the above rs q prelimisurs 10
the Introduction Of bit Of History, and
a few oficial statements. connected with
this famous Congressional procedure.
which will be highly interesting to our
readers ana may serve as a c guide to their
actors in future elections.
In compliance with a resrlutio Il, The
Secretary of the Senate has prepared aud
submitted 70 that body, a statement cons
cernipg the salaries of its members. The
report shows the different rates of compen.
sation for Senators and Representatives.,
fixed at various times, and that the follow
ing acts increasing the rates of conpen>
sation we're retroactive, viz:
The act Of September %, 1889, was
retroactive for six months and eighteen
days act of March 10, 1916, for one year
and fifteen days act Of January %. 1918,
for G.ty,thrce days; act Of August 16,
1886, for one year, five months and twelve
days; act of July rs, 1866, was, also, re-
troactiyc, reaching back one year, four
months and twenty>fou DAYS, and the act
of March ), 1873, was retroactive for two
years.
The total average compensation and al
lowances of Congressman for mileage,
newspapers anu stationery, under the &C.
Of July %, 1866, from March 4, 1871,
to March 8, l872.--one year-was $5,-
922 SO. Under the last act, and the one
freshest in the minds of a tax>paylng poo
pie, passed March 8, 1873, tn, compcnsa.
ton and allowances amount to $1,000 II
UndOr the operation of this act, the in
crease Of salary from $4,000 to $500
per year, together with allowances extend
back from its passage, two years, to the
commencement Of the 43rd Congress.
in justice to the following Senators,
we should not omit to state that they have
covered into TIE Treasury the amounts
dlo them under the retroactive provision
Of the act, at times below mentioned
May 20. 1878. Mr.. Anthony, ST.
497 20; Juno 20, Mr.. Buckingham, ST.
553 60; May q, Mr., Fenton, sl,fS4;
June 2, Mr., Frolinghuysen, S4,64l so;
May 10, Mr.. Hamlin, Si,156; August
IA, Mr.. Morton, 1922 40; April 8,
Pratt, SI,l21 60 August %, Mr.. Ram.
sey, $G,6il 40; March %, Mr.. Sshurz,
1891 co; July II, Mr.. Sherman, ST.,
33G 40; May G, Mr.. Scott, $4,733 60,
May 2, Mr.. Sumner, Sl,445 60; May
-, Mr.. Thurman, $3.50 20; March %,
Mr.. Wilson, S4,448; September 6, Mr..
Wright, $3,l40 so.
1t is undoniable that this last increase,
whose retroactive feature has created a
turore and dissatisfaction, that, in some
portions Of the country, is assuming the
intenSsst forms of indignation, was carried
through both Houses by a combination Of
a minority of both paties-many mem
bGrs ~absenting themselves or refusing to
vote.
Many and various defencos arc set up
by those who have been indicted and ar
raigued By the public clamor and cutlery.
Some put in the plea Of precedent, others
necessity owing to the Increasing ex-
penses of living in Washington. Whilst
still another party of Congressman ac
knowledging that they belong to the in
ferior rank, justify the vote on the
grounds that Mr.. SO. and So, the big
guns and heavy weights of the National
Legislature voted for the "inerease and
back pay"
The best defence we have seen or heard
tell GO, is put forth by a conspicuous Sem
ator from the South, and lifts him far
above the charge Of corruption aud self
Acknowledgement, is that he voted for the
measure because he c~onscientiously be-
lieved his services we're worth $500 q
year With allowances. This, we deem an
iuvuiuerable reply, as The honorable gem
tleman had the boldncss 20 vote the con.
%victions of his heart and the persuasions
of his mind, and now he can no reasons
for a~pelogizing to his Immediate consti>
tueneJ or the country at large for his con.
duct.
If an act is intrinsically wroug, no nuns
Der of supporting preccdents can make it
right and If intrinsically right no agen>
oies or influences can convert it into a
wrong. So here the argument Of ptece>
dent signally fails. Necessity cal not be
pleaded in abatement of allegations O
criminal corrupt legislation, for there is