Daily Kennebec journal., 1874-01-14

|
Cushing's record since 1861, and vonch
for the soundness ofhis positions and views
on those political subjects concerning
| which he is charged as being unrepabli-
can The opposition to Mr.. Gushing will
seek to delay action, expecting that time
and the expression OF hostile pub lie
sentiment will ensure the defeat of con-
firmation.
-----------.4. -.
SENATOR MORRILL, ON TIE SALARI +
ACT
The Congressional Record having come to
hand, containing the debate in the Senate on
the 7th upon the bill to repeal the salary act,
we copy from it the remarks of Senator Nor
rill upon the question, in which he briefly re-
viewed the ground passed over, ard declared
himself in favor of repeal, pure and simple
of the act increasing salaries, and refund
ing of all back pay;
Mr. MoRRILL, of Maine. Mr. President,
this is one of those questions involving good
deal of personal delicacy, necessarily, from
the very character of the subject itself and it
is one of those questions in the present atti-
tude of affairs which, If it is thing to be done,
it is WE'LL in my judgment. that it should be
done quickly.
That the measure of the Forty second Con-
gress, known as the salary provision, came to
incur the popular displeasure is undeniable,
and that q sentiment of atisfaction found
expression in a demand for repeal is probably
equally true.
II is unimportant to inquire into the causes
or circumstances which may have influenced
this popular judgment, whether based upon
an intelligent apprehension of the whole sub
ject, or influenced by partial or incomplete
views, and how much may be attributable to
exaggerated and distorted representations
through popular channels.
| The fact conceded, upon question of so
much personal embarrassment as necessarily
| inheres in the exercise of the conferred power
of ascertaining, by law, the compensation of
| its members, Congress, as it prizes its useful
ness, can have no controversy with its con-
stituency. Nor is it material to inquire as to
| the circumstances, motives, or other consid
| erations which may have influenced the For
ty-sccond Congress and prompted the meas
ure. They were, doubtless, various, depend
ing upon convictions of its justice or injustice,
expediency or inexpediency. A curious public
have not been left in the dark as to the action
of Senators; and all interested may learn from
the record the true relations of each to the
subject-matter.
! For myself, did not think the measure
polite, although l am free to say do not
think the compensation to members as ad
justed, unjust for excess.
1t was clearly competent for the Forty
second Congress to determine the current
compensation Of its members, both ON author
ity and usage. 1t is equally competent for
the Forty-third Congress to ascertain and de-
termine its compensation, and neither is open
to the revision Of any other department of the
Government.
A question has 4risen as to what the public
judgment really, is upon the legislation in
question-whetlier partial or general, whether
it included the entire salary increase or re-
lated to that of members of Congress only,
and was alike applicable to the current or
.'baek pay" of the Forty second Congress and
the prospective increase. At the outset OBJ
lection WAS taken to what was called "back
pay" while prospective increase seemed not
to be Objectionable, or was at most regarded
as tolerable. Upon reflection, distinctions
between current'eand prospective increase,
either on authority, usage, logic, or morality,
seemed to become less apparent and were
abandoned as untenable, and finally the pub
lie sense found EXPIRE ession in a demand for
repeal.
This am di.p posed to regard as the public
judgment
1t is not the first time in its history that
Congress has found itself at variance with its
constituency upon the question of its compen-
sation, subject upon which the public has
always been especially sensitive, arising,
doubtless, from the peculiarity and amplitude
Of the constitutional provision. 1t was in the
Constitutional Convention seen to be a matter
of great delicacy and difficulty. 1t contra
vened the American habit Of thought of stipu-
lated compensation. Here it was left ex-
clusiyely to the employed, method in itself
a constant challenge to criticism and provo
cation to complaint.
So has been its history at each attempt of
Congress TO adjust its compensation, not
more apparently on account of the amount OF
compensation than the fact of exercising such
authority at all as in 1916 when complaints
were general and denuncations unqualified,
Congress having adjusted its compensation at
$1,000.
Between the judgment of Congress as to
what is adequate compensation for services
and charges incident to public service, and
the popular questioning as to the method Of
ascertaining it, and whether different rule
should not obtain in the case of the legislator
from that applied to other occupations, there
is ample ground for CO contrariety of opinion and
dissent, mutual misconceptions and dissats-
faction.
Mr.. President, the question of the salaries
was an entirety. 1t was question of COM
pensation. There never was any other
question in it which should touch any mans
judgment or conscience except this: Was it
an adequate or an inadequate compensation?
In other words, was 1t in excess of a reason
able compensation If it was i. applied
equally to "back pay" the current pay, and
the prospective pay. And no one who believes
that it was in excess can take and hold con-
scientiously, in my judgment, either the back
pay or the prospective pay.
Mr.. President, I shall vote for the repeal,
pure and simple. 4le