, 1874-01-11
THE ILLINOIS sALARY-GRABBERs.

The Illinois Legislature has passed resolu-
ton condemning the Congressional salary grab
It is not all that it should have been. The
House resolution pointedly censured the Illinois
Senators and Representatives who voted for the
grab. Tho Gonate, however. modified tie reso-
luton 80 as to leave the personal CEN
sure out, aud was content to condemn
the act, request it's repeal, and advise
IN amendment to the Constitution prohibiting
salary-grabs in the future. This is enough, at
all events, to rebnke Senator Logan for the poai~
ton he has assumed in standing by the law in
spite Of the popular demand for its repeal. It
is announced that copies Of this resolution have
been forwarded to Senator Logan and other Iii
nois men in Congress-, and not one will do his
duty to his constituency who fails to vote for an
unconditional repeal of the grab-law. In this
matter there is no room for doubt that the Leg
is1ature represents the views Of the people.
So far the Legislature has done it's duty. But
the resolution is not in keeping with its own
attitude before the people Of the State. The
members of the Illinois Legislature arc thom-
selves salary-grabbezs every day they remain in
session. There are 81 Senators and 153 Repre-
sentatives in the Legislature. making 2o4 in all,
who draw per diem OF IS, or 81, ,020 day.
III three months session, which seems to be
the shortest term that the Legislature looks for
ward to, the pay Of members alone would
amount to S7G500. The o!her expenses incident
~ L.
again. and the whole cost to the State will not
fall short OF 9125, 600 for the next ninety days.
This money ia taken directly out Of
the people, whose taxes arc already oner-
Gus under the various ta1-grabs that have
been made. 4 th1ee months session at this
time ia a fraud upon the people, who have pro-
tested against it on account Of the violation OF
the spirit OF the Constitution which it involves,
the absence Of any pressing necessity for further
legislation, the dangerous precedent it gives,
and the general hard times. which suggest econ
omy and retrenchment On all sides.
Under these circumstances. the Illinois Legs
laturo cannot consistently call Congress to nc
count without at the same timo relieving them
selves Of the olium that attaches to the title Of
sa1arv-grabber. Congress increased its oSn
salary with retroactive provision, and the Of
fense against the people wa5 that OF taking pub
Lie money to which congressman were not en-
titled. The Illinois Legislature is holding ses-
sion IN violation or at least evasion, Of law, and
in defiance Of the demands Of the people TINT
they sinll adjourn. They are making heavy
draft on tho public funds by doing so, and
arc, therefore, taking money to which the
people believe they arc not entitled. They are,
consequently. sa1ary-grabbers ;ust as much as
the CongresEmen who vpted for the increase
last March, or who now refrse to vote for tho
repeal Of the law. The same reasonB which have
led the Legislature to condemn The Congression-
al salarv-grab will 1ead the people to condemn
the Legislative aa1ary-grnb. II .he Illinois Con-
R1ess1nen committed to tie sA1ary.grab a1s ~ be