Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1874-12-10

lLdt III WAS IttIO6 'liFt, VI tHdl ~
ilAed the salary too high, or both.
For myself, | am well persuaded no
slch law should be retroactive. But
the fact remains that every such
law had been retroactive, and, 50
far as | know, no previous law had
been objected to upon that ground.
1t will hardly do to execute man
for an act which has the authority
Of numerous precedents and has
been sanctioned by universal con-
sent
Perhaps, also, the salary was too
high. That is question upon each
side of which much more has been
and much more may be said. |
never want to discuss such a ques-
ton. | venture to observe 1t was
not SO much too high that voting for
it affords conclusive evidence OF
moral obliquity. The law has long
accorded to judges and cabinet Off
GERS higher salaries, and not one OF
them works so many hou.s in a
year as leading member of Com
gress. | think the law was a mis-
take, but a mistake not specially
disastrous ia its consequences. 1t
took S2,UU0,00D out of the treasury.
Ii it had taken that sum out of the
pockets of one man, or a few men,
it would have been harsh. But a
contribution OF cents each by the
American people will more than re-
plenish the treasury. In fact, 40
human being has telt the loss, while
some very needy and Woodworking
public servants have been made
more comfortable by it, 1t is very
well for tne people to correct such
mistakes, as they have corrected
this. But | hardly think it becomes
a great people to be very vindictlve
upon such mistakes. ii the people
never mean to forgive mistake in
a public servant, they cannot con-
sent to MIR. Carpenters reelection.
Nor can they consent to the election
of Gov. Washburn. He made the
mistake, as is well known, in 1896.
Public Justice has sometimes been
subjected to the reprodch OF impos-
ing penalties for an otiense commit
ted 10y one and eXcusing the same
otlense committed 10y another. But
public justice was never SO blind as,
having two men at its bar at the
same time and equally delinquent,
to cruelty one and crown the other.
But while this vote is remembered
ogaOta Mr.. Carpenter, some things
should be remembered to his praise.
When he was elected to the Senate
six years ago, many thought the
party assumed a grave risk, on the
score of his fidelity. But for six years
he has been faithful even where
Others, more trusted, have been faith
less. He has kept all the instruc-
tons the party has given him. When
he has erred, he has erred for want
Of instruction. Moreover, during
his first term he has achieved the
first honor of the Senate, and he has
done as much to distinguish Wis
consin and to distinguish the West
as any one whom the West ever
sent to Washington. And while |
do not mean to cisparage the efforts
of others, think no one man has
done 50 much as he in the late can
vass to rescue the Republican party
in Wisconsin from the defeat which
surprised it one year ago. We
ought to be just il we cannot be
generous.
| know very well if Gov. Wash
burn is not elected, many excellent
Republicans will feel that he is de-
MED the reward his eminent services
merit. That, fear, will cripple the
party some. On the contrary, if
Mr.. Carpenter is not elected, many
Republicans just rs excellent viii
feel that he has been visited with
a censure from which his eminent
services should have protected him.
That, | fear, will cripple the party
more. OF two perils / always pre-
Ter to confront the least.
Very truly yours,
L. O. Howe.