Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1880-08-19
The Back.Salary Steal.

The Republican papers denounce as
campaign falsehoods the charges made
against Mr.. Garfield by his opponents.
They forget that it is his own evidence
and the evidence of other Republicans
that convicts him of being a party to
the Credit-Mobilier infamy, and then
lying about his connection with it under
oath. They also forget that it is his
own story, and the letter of Mr.. Crit
tenden, who was one of the interested
parties in the De Goiyer paving con-
tract, that convict him of taking ZOO
of virtual bribe-money. They forget
that it is the record of the House and
the reports of Republican journals that
convict him of carrying through the
Salary Grab. Now some of these papers
declare that he opposed the Salary
Grab at every stage. On the other
hand, he was an active participant in
Steal was consummated, and on one
rose to protest, refused to recognize
him, and forced the vote on the previous
question. The Troy Times, an able and
loyal Republican paper, referred to this
notorious bill and Mr.. Garield's con-
nection with its passage, in its issue of
February %, 1873, in the following
terms:
eff Congress keeps on to the end as IL has
been going on for two or three days, its tcrmi-
nation will he welcomed by hosts of people
throughout the country as a benediction. Last
night, when only one hundred and forty-seven
members were present In the House, Mr.. Gar.
field called up the Civil Appropriation bill
and recommended an amendment concern
ing the salaries of public officers. This fur
opportunity to make his shameful proposition
which was defeated the other day. He did so
tween ts e him i'm and Garficid. Ellis H. Roberts
vainly endeavored TO postpone action. But
the mercenary fellows on the floor. who had
doubtless gone there to steal $1,000 each from
the people of the United States, Knocked him
with derisiou. He. however. made the pious
Credit-Mobilier Garfield wriggle and sguIrm
the convenient cover of tellers, so there IL no
tell-tale yea and nay list, to pay themselves
5000 for a term of service which will close
next week For a man who stands ubon trial
for past misdemeanors and begs the merciful
indulgence of the people, the conduct OF Gar
field in this business is strangely imprudent
in n personal sense Perhaps Butler has
got twist on him and dragged him into the
work."
This is the verdict of an honorable
and loyal Republican journal on the
Steal and the part Garfield had in ef-
fecting it. Eight days after, by series
of skillful parliamentary tactics, MIR.
Garfield succeeded in carrying the
shameful measure through by vote of
1O2 against 95, Mr.. Garfield, according
to the record, voting .'yea-" After
wards, when he found what storm OF
Dst and anger this Salary Grab had
in the country, and that it was
to 90 hard with any man who
in favor of it, Mr.. Garfield pru-
repented, and put the $4,000
into the Treasury, doubtless
king at The effect this display of
Eience would have on the country.
eminds us of the negro who led his
es to a melon-patch, where they
elped themselves, when he hap
4 to think that the owner had
.tored" the melons to punish who
should steal them, and skulked
with his plumber. leaving his COM
to get over their sickness the best
way they could. The people know the
difference between cowardice and con-
science, and will hold James A. Car
field responsible for the Back-Salary
bill, as without his active and earnest
agency it would not have passed.-M
Y Express.