The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1876-07-08
THE SALARY GRAB.

The attempt upon the part of certain
Democratic organs to draw wholesome
political lessons from the supposed partici-
patton by Gov. Hayes and Mr.. Wheeler in
the salary grab business is as absurd as
the facts are false upon which they are
based. On the Sd of March, 1878, the
Forty-Second Congress passed an appro-
priation, what is popularity known as the
back pay act and adjourned on the follow
ing day. In the Fall of 1872, Gov. Hayes
was defeated for Congress by Gen. Ban
ming several months previous to the passage
of the act. That moralzing newspaper
men have mistaken this bill at the time of
the passage Of which Gov. Hayes was not
in Congress, and which cost many Con-
gressmen their reelection, for the act of
July 2Sth, 1866, which increased the COM
pensation of Congressman from $4,000 to
$4,000 per annum, is very apparent.
This previous act was passed while Gov.
Hayes represented his district in that, the
Thirty Ninth Congress, and who being re-
elected to the Fortieth Congress, was nom
mated and elected Governor of his State,
in 1867, before he had completed his second
Congressional term, and which was his
last service in Congress, a period of five
years intervening between this date and
his subsequent denomination and defeat by
Gen. Banning in the Fall of 1872. If cen.
serious Democrats are disposed to make
nplitioo1 oil Of IF fba
act of July, 1866, it would be well to re-
member that Gov Hayes voted hoice agafnst
that bill, because the Senate had added the
section increasing the pay of Congressman.
The measure itself originated with Dem
ocratic Senator, George Read Riddle, of
Delaware, and was supported by Mr.. Hend-
ricks, their present nominee for Vice Presi-
dent. In the House, at that time, Mr..
Samuel Randall, he of economic fame, a
gentleman of undoubted Democratic re-
spectability, was its especial champion, and
who has so distinguished himself since, as
the Chairman of the Committee on Appro-
priations of the present House.
Although Gov. Hayes was not, as stated,
in Congress at the time of the passage of
the salary grab act yet Mr.. Wheeler was,
and how he acted in the premises, the fol-
lowing correspondence will fully explain:
New York, March 10, 1879.
SiR-The law passed by the late Congress for
increased compensation to members of the
House OF Representatives and other officials
gives me for the last two years. after specified
deduction, s. 1920. As this measure was oppos-
ed by my vote in all its stages it does not COM
port with my views of consistency or proprely
to take the above sum to my personal use. i
the act to return it to the Treasury which do
by inclosing herewith five-twenty bonds of the
United states, purchased with said funds, and
assigned by me 10 you for the sole purpose of
can eel alton, as follows, viz.
Bonds and brokers' commission on
purchase. SHIP 10
81 81
Total $iiS2 40
The balance is RENTED by my check here
with. Please acknowledge receipt and obige.
Respectfully yours, W: II. WHEELER.
of the Treasury, Washington, u. c.
TREASURY DEPARTMENT.
SIR.-Iour letter of the 18th inst, inciosng
coupon bonds of the act of June Both 1854
amounting to 23So0, and currency draft for
y SG7 81, has been received The proceeds Of
bonds and drafts have been covered into the
General Treasury of the United States, in ac-
ortancc with your wishes, Very respectfully
W; a. RICHARDSON, Secretary.
70 Malone, Franklin Co., NY.
will be seen from the above that there can
no question, as To the eXtinguishment OF
legal title to the back pay i'll Mr. WLecler's
He drew the money and expended il
ssniIrd States be ndS, which he assigned to
ecretafy Of the Treasury for the sole pur-
cancellation: and the Secretary SAYS
has e, implied with Mr.. Wheelcr's
from ASHES and Mr.. Wheeler as
III rtUDIlV diseased Of cpDru,Ip