Wilmington daily gazette., 1874-01-13
Senator Bayard on tho Salary Bill.

Senator Bayard on tho Salary Bill.
" c make The following extracts from the speech
OF Senator Bayurd on the Salary Bill on the 9Th
instant. II Will he seen that the Senator insists
that Tic salary of Members shalt he made the
same as it was before the passage of the "Grab'
bill His reference to the disposition that has for
40 many years Influenced many moral and sub
stantal citizens to avoid politics, is timely and
well considered. The absence of the responsible
aud most reliable portion OF the citizens from the
primary meetings, has been the bane Of politics
ior years. II has been so in Wilmington espcc-
ially; both parties may be truthiuy charged with
1t; and we presume the same charges may he
made in the large cities In our neighhoring States.
In 4 country where the government tests upon
| the people, final msmanagement is certain TO be
the result of abandonment OF public aff,rs by the
most interested class of society. Inc New York
very cause, and through the neglect of politics by
the moral and upright. Men having no respect for
religion, virtue or honesty, ike Tweed and his
c1-Operaiols, representing both parties they did
aud Mann and his bullies, drag communities into
difficulties from which it impossible TO escape
without terrible cost ent,hng poverty and distress;
EXTRACTS FROM SPEECH OF HON. t. F. BAYARD.
Mr. President, in my opinion ole OF the chef
dangers ot our day aud country IS the devotion of
citizens TO their private pursuts, to the neglect oi
their pubic duties. 1t this Federal COpstl.ution
shall 20 down. II this experiment TOR human SELF
government shall TAIL there Will be few more TO
blame than those inteigent men who have grown
rich In their private pursuits and allowed places of
high public trUst and honor TO be filed by men
less worthy and able than themselves, but who
were wiling at least TO give their time to pubic
service. W ho does not know Of the frequent ad-
vice ~ young men of talent aud character.
keep out OF politics; stick TO your business, 10
your profession, to your ledger, 20 your office, to
Your studio; keep out OF politicsf" THIS is the
common cry which Is accepted as wise. Just, as
comuendabIe, III country which must depend
or the elevation and the continuance of its gov
etument upon the best Efforts uf is most iutelli-
gent, Its most able, its most conscientious men.
WHAT'S the consequence of all this un- American,
worldly-w'sea adylce 10 the youth OF cur country,
too often followed by themI They have sought
70 make the name Of politician discreditabe.
They Lave sought TO make attention 10 public du-
ties saspicious. Aud what has been the result |
SenatorsY Has 1t not been a lower tone of public
service? Has II not been degraded tone OF pub |
nc service! say TO certain degree 1t has; Tor 1
believe If there should be increase in honorable
competition between men OF intellect and charac- |
ter for public position 1t would tend largely to the
elevation Of the tone of cur service and to the ben
eht OF the whole country This Government is not |
an automatic machine. II lS not to run itself 1t
calls Tor the efforts constantly aud oitentmes the
sef-sacrhcing efforts OF the ablest aud the purcst
and the bavest to guide on in the right direction
and keep 1t III the paths OF honor and safety.
Now, Senators,if if large pay would ofitsel secure
really Tho best men, 1t 1t would really tll Congress
with statesmen worthy of the name, what meas
ure OF economy would be so benehcent to the
whole people Tie benefit to the people Of even
one pure-minded, cear-headed, patrollc man in
Congress of the United States in either House, is
not to DO weighed in money, aud scarce any sum
III reason but would wisely be paid it that alone
would secure II. do not say that it would do
not believe by money alone such things are TO be
accomplished. The thing is for TO consider
upon question SO broad as lhis, what il The Just
medium that will tend to secure the presence here
oil proper men capable of rendering valuable SER
wee to the country. proper, respectable main
tenance ought TO be secured, no more. The rep
resehtatves should not be larrlssed and en- barras-
sed by constant pecunlary need. nan Ia not to
come mere TO save or make money by his office and
poston such man IS uuht Tor tne place, and falls
Iar below proper comprehension OF its duties and
res pon >ibillty.