The Morning herald., 1876-03-18
WILMINGTON, MARCH IS, 1875.
THE PRRsIDENT's sALAHY.


States Senate to cut down the salary Of
the President to $4,000, the discussion
was Of such u character as to make itmani-
fest that many of the Republican Senators
are convinced that the present system oi
our civil service is the root Of public ex-
travagance and fraud. We are rejoiced
that the leaders Of the Republican party
are acquiring this sensitiveness respecting
propriety, which notes an evidence Of the
power Of public opinion. In the discus
sion OF the bill, Mr.. Dawes, who was the
principal speaker in favor Of the measure,
seemed to be actuated by desire to wipe
out the last vestige Of the SALARY Grab
act" Mr.. Dawes admitted that the pub
lie view of that act was strictly and justly
accurate, which is, that the increase Of pay
was put up job between Congress and
the Presidcn', the latter to receive $25, 900
as his share of the job. A more infamous
act than the salary grab never was enact
ed by the American Congress, and it is
time that there should be manly express
sion of public opinion to shame the salary
grabbers, and to adopt some measure Of
economy to force genuine and lasting
reformation. Now is the time for an enl-
phatic expires sion Of public opinion. Sure
ly the time is ripe for it. The Indian
ring frauds, the whisky ring infamies, the
custom house corruptions, the enormous
naval extravagances, the downfall Of Bel
knap, and many other disgraceiul official
disclosures, show the great necessity of
prompt and decisive action before we fall
into so deep pit of disgrace and shame
that we can never extricate ourselves. Let
the Republican party in the Senate, be-
cause that party predominates there, favor
the reform Of the civil service, the taking
Of the whole thing out of the hands of
politicians, and let the Democrats in Con-
gress, where they predominant, and who
are asking for retrenchment and for the
abolishment of the wasteful practices Of
the party now in power, favor and work
for civil service reform. 1t seems that
the Democrats of the present Congress
care about nothing but to investigate the
shortcomings Of their political enemies.
If the Democrats really mean what they
say, they should also favor civil service re.
form. With a majority in the House,
they do not even hint Of touching upon
this most important matter, and cannot
even unite on any measure looking to hon.
est and careful administration in any de-
Psrtnent,
The great cry for economy; for the stop
page of waste, and the indignation ex-
pressed about the late scandal, caused the
passage of this Senate measure Of retrench-
ment. So far the Republican Senate has
shown respect for this public eutcry an9
demand, and we hope it is sincere anu
honest in thus bowling to the will of the
people; and if Democratic house is reall =
in earnest about economy Ito say nothing
about the improvement in public morals,
it will favor the reform Of civil service
There is no doubt that in the temper O.
the House for retrenchment the bill viii
pass that body. Its approval or rejection
by Grant, will, it is true, be a matter O
great delicacy with him, for the appreva
of the bill doubling his salary, and hi
approval Of the bill repeating that action
would be little rough on his successor
This bill cannot interfere with Grant
salary, as the Constitution provides tha
the salary Of the President shall not b.
reduced during the term for which he wa
elected. The President will be ealle'
upon to sign bills cutting down salaries Of
all sides, even to the clerks and officers il
his own household, and it would seem al
act Of in justice were he to veto bill cut
ting down the salary Of the President
This bill has been on the calendar of tn
Senate for some time, and was quite unex
pectedly and without notice sprung upo
the Senate on the 18th inst, and passed b
vote of rs yeas and 20 nays, three Presi
dental aspirants voting in the affirmaiiv
-Conkling, Morton and Thurman, tn
first-named voting very reluctantly. Onl
one Presidential candidate had the manl
ness and courage to vote against the resc
luton, and he was the esteemed and tale
ted Senator Bayard, from this State.