National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-01-09

her exposition upon the announced day
will be jollifcatioo compared with thu
shame Of Philadelphia in seeing July 1875,
and an incompleted temple in which ia
make glad over the diamond wedding o
the Goddess Of Liberty. (
EvIR SINCE the salary bill was first eonsA'
cred there has been an undeniable disposition
evinced by Congressman to stihe the measure
by rdicule, or, in the event Of failure In this
to involve the officers of the executive depart
ments by thrusts at the meagre increased
salary permitted them. After lengthy con-
test these tactics were abandoned in the House
only to arise In the Senate when the bill was
fairly in . condition to warrant immediate &c
ton. The tenor of the debate yesterday clearly
evidenced this peurile spirit, which, unani-
mously seconded by Democrats and Liberals,
would wrong executive officers, compelled to
reside in Washington the entire year, BY an In
situation that the salary allowed for their ser
vices was extravagsnt. While the attempt to
shin to the executive departments . proper
tionate share of the blame for the original act
of Congress might be overlooked In the lower
House, It is not In keeping with the dignity ana
independence of the Senate to override popular
feeling by silent but direct innuendoes against
subordinate officials who, laboring faithfully,
are lily compensated for the valuable service
rendered. The propositions constantly spring
ing forth In the Senate are moro numerous but
identical in action with those proposed in the
lower body, and will not appease the fndig-
nation aroused by the retroactive policy hifher-
to INDUCED in. Continued debate has shown
that many are 10th to return to the old
standard, but should no escape be possible,
1t is deemed desirable to infict punishment
upon those innocent of wrong, and, in the
judgment of tho country, not too literally
compensated, even with the slight increase al
lowed last March. Should Congress reduce
the allowance of executive officers, 1t Will be
an evident fact that the increase was made to
give character to "selfpay" and to partially
divert attention from the "grab" then permit
ted. But the failure then should be startling
admonition that paltry dealing with able off,
GERS will not rebound to the Congressional
character, and can only be received with Ill
favor by the intelligent of the land. The mere
fact that Democrats attempt to engineer these
clandestine attacks should place the majority
on guard, and prevent the ambuscade intended
by treacherous guidance without the limits Of
the legitimate route marked out by the popular
verdict. All that is demanded can be accom-
plished by the reputation of the back-pay
provisions and the resumption Of the old sal
ary, and no complaint will be made that Con-
gress has been deficient in virtue, because no
indication was evolved to affect those parties
rightly awarded income sufficient to live de-
Gently, and thereby enabled to serve the Gov
eminent we'll without the faint Of suspicion
enveloping their character as men.
The NATIONAL REPUBLICAN has reapetedly
pointed out the futility of the wasteful expen-
diture of eloquent thought upon this salary
question, and Congress can do little better than
to Immediately acquiesce in . return to the old
law, then instantaneously grapple with the i'm
portant problems for the day forgotten.
Owing to the perversity of . Democrat,
another day has been wasted by the Senate in
''talk" about the salary bill Amendmentafte
amendment was introduced, each provocative
of lengthy discussion, and ultimately intended
to affect nothing, and after days session no
advance in legislation il witnessed. There was
an exception. Mr.. Hamilton, of Maryland, q
Democrat, proposed to include In the scope of
the bill all officers whose salary was increased
in March last, and such ID the docility preva-
lent that the lead thus inaugurated was fol-
lowed by majority of the Senate. But the
attempt made to retain the future salary of Con-
gressmen until the payments for this Congress
were equalized at the old rate Of compensation,
failed to be sanctioned by the Senators deter
minedly cutting down the compensation of
others. This was refused on constitutional
grounds, and an adjournment exhibited the
strictest economy when applied to executive
officers, and when Congressman are concerned,
inhibition prevented successful
reform.
The educational bill came up in the House
for discussion, and furnished an opportunity
for the usual amount of speech circulation
the country. The penchant some
members have for delivering speeches for dis
tant readers was admirably illustrated by Mr..
Kasson, of Iowa, who seems DESTROYS to reform
by word of mouth. The expiration of the
morning hour, however, cut of this readable
sensation, and led the way to business of
more practical form. According to arrange
ment the naval bill came up for consideration.
Mr.. Hale, of Maine, gave lengthy exhibition
Of the merits of the bill, which, economical in
purpose, is destined to curtail the proportions
of an already limited navy. It should be noted
that the declaration that Secretary Robson
ayowed his ability to sustain the naval element
with decreased appropriations is not entirely in
accordance with fact, as 1t was specifically
stated that increased allowances were impera-
lively demanded, but whatever Congress ap-
propriated would be judiciously expended.
After affording an opportunity to Mr.. Wood, of
New York, to send of the yearly and charac-
teristic assault on the naval management, the
House adjourned.
RICHARD GRANT WHITE some years ago