The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-03-18
SENATOR'S PAY.
They Want Their Wages Increased.
The Present Salary of $4,000 Not
Enough by Half.
Senators Compelled to Live In
Much Privation.
Chaoe Resigns Because He Cannot
Afford the Honor.
Only the Rich Are Able to Sustain the
Senatorial Dignity-Platt, OF Con-
necticut, Talks Very
Plainly.

AsHlNGTON, Narcn lI-Ihe reSigna-
ton OF Senator Chace upon the thresh-
hold OF his second term of six years in the
highest legislative body in the world has
aroused renewed interest in subject that
is bound to receive early and earnest con-
sideration in the Congress. Senator
Chace, in private, gives as the reason why
he can no longer serve his State and coun-
try as a legislator, that the compensation
OF a Senator was not sufficient to warrant
him in longer neglecting his business. lie
has expressed the opinion that he is consid-
erably poorer for his legislative experience
than he would have beol had he remained
at the helm Of his business-ship, and di-
rected its course through the breakers Of
the past dozen or fifteen years.
The question OF increasing the compen-
sation of Congressman has been receiving
the earnestattention of Senators. especially
OF late. and there is an overwhelming sen.
timent among them in favor OF making the
salary OF Congressman $4,000 year in
stead OF 5000 as il is at present. Mem
bers OF the House OF Representatives, while
thoroughly in sympathy with the Senators
on this point, are not yet ready to 20 TO
the full length desired by them, fearing
repetition OF the outbreak OF censure Wis.
tied upon the CongTess Of 1873 for its ac-
ton on the salary question. But il is ar
gued by the advocates OF the increased
salary that what the people were indignant
about then was the back pay grail" iea.
ture, and that IL the increase were made 10
date from the end OF the Fifty-first Con-
gress no serious opposition would DO made
10 II. There was a frank expression Of
views by the Senators on this topic in one
Of the secret legislative sessions last week,
in the discussion that ensued upon n rcso-
luton offered by Senator Teller authorizing
the SECRETARY OF the Senate TO pay 20 com.
mittec clerks serving on per diem basis
during the session OF the Senate aud the
clerks 10 Senators, during the coming NJ.
cess, the per diem allowed by law. Mr..
Teller, previous TO presenting the resolu-
ton which WIS referred 10 the Committee
on Contingent Expenses, said that in his
experience as chairman OF committee he
had been compelled at times TO employ
two men 10 attend the correspondence do
volying upon him, aud il was a heavy
burden upon him. lie believed Senators
should have annual clerks because their
duties did not cease with the adjournment
| ol the Senate.
Senators Dawes, Stewart, Harris and
Gray indorsed the sentiments expressed
by Mr.. Teller, but Senators Morrill,, Nor
gan and Hale said il would be impossible
10 provide n clerk for every Senator this
year, inasnuch ~ the appropriations have
all been made, aud in any event the CO.
operation Of the House would be essential
TO the carrying out OF the proposition. In
concluding the debate. Mr.. Platt said:
''Mr President, when the proper commit
tee shall consider the matters which have
been spoken Of here this morning. think
that committee ought TO 20 further.
think IL ought 20 consider the question a.
TO whether Senators are fairly paid for the
work which they do. and whether the
salary Of Senator OF the Uni
ted States ought not to be- raised.
know II Is charged that the
Senate Of the United States is composed
largely OF rich men 10 whom salary u no
object. 10 some extent II may be true
that there are Senators TO whoWthe salary
is very little object, but there are Senators
here who have nothing 10 live upon ex-
cept their salaries aud who are paid less
for the services which thoy render than
they would be paid In any other walk or
occupation Of lie for similar services, aud
very much less. In addition 10 that, SEN
ators have great many expenses which
their position necessarily entails. aud tho
result Ia that their are Senators who have
no income behind their salaries are
obliged 10 live in pinchod aud very un-
pleasant way in the city OF Washington"
Mr.. Morrill-May | ask the senator
from Connecticut II he is not aware that
no man can como here with his family
aud rent decent house and live without
spending twice the amount Of his Ealary2
Mr.. Piatt-l have been awaro-and I
think, perhaps, | may as well say Il as
any one. because think | am as poor n
man ~ there ~ In the scnato--l nave been
made most painfully aware OF tho In.
ability Of Senator Of the United States TO
/ live In the City OF Washington In any
thing like the style, and with anything
/ Ike the comforts which We have at home
and which other people have In Wash.
ington who, perhaps, are entitled
/ 10 the same social position that
wo are, and we arc entitled 10 the
same social position that they are. We
arc put at q disadvantage which We feel
every day OF our lives; and there arc SEN
atom here who will echo what say, know.
ing Il TO be true. Now, do not complain
Of Il for myself eau remedy II for my.
self II choose TO do 40. II DO not choose
70 endure the priyation ! use that
word, which a Senator Of the United States
who Is compelled 10 live on his salary
must endure. / can remedy that by rc-
signing my place and going home 10 my
constituents aud allowing them 10 send
somebody here who has an income which
lac can devote 20 living In Washington.
think that Il Is quito that some plain
words were spoken on This subject and
/ -. a. -. Ill. ..r.u.Inn 10 nIu.Ik hmm