The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1889-04-29
THE SALARY is AMPLE.
ONE WAY OF LOOKING AT THE PAY
OF A CONGRESSMAN.
Five Thousand Year Enough For Re-
publican Simplicity in Washington
The View of Man Who Has Been
Congressman Himself.

Congressman Himself.
To the Editor OF The Appeal
During the recently calledtsession Of the
United States Senate there was some dis
cussion concerning the nadequacy OF the
pay Of Senators and Representatives in
Congress. This called forth considerable
comment by the public press OF the coun.
try. both pro and con. The resigna ton OF
Senator Chace, OF Rhode Island, provoked
the discussion and subsequent comments
Men OF plain habits and tastes, and eco
nomic views OF government, regard with
disfayor and apprehension the constant
extravaganza tendency Of our Government.
We, as Nation, are rapidly losing sight
OF our early republican simplicity, and are
reaching after the pomp and display OF re-
gal Governments. Senator Chace resides
! in State not remarkable for its republic
an institutions or tendencies. 1t has only
in recent years abolished its old charter
government granted by Charles the Sec
ond, and its property qualifications and
| restrictions upon popular suffrage. And,
as he was one OF the privileged class, be-
ing millionaire lord OF the loom, ii is not
strange that he should be 10th to neglect
his lordy interests at home to serve his
Government, for what he considered the
insignificant sum OF $1,000 q year. One
of the evil tendencies OF Congressional leg
islation is to constantly increase salaries,
and thereby build up an official aristoc-
racy. The salary paid Senators and Rer--
resentatives is ample, for poor men OF fru-
gal republican habits, but not not enough
for the millionaire who would live in
princely style at the expense OF the Gov
| eminent
There is much OF good in the civil ser.
vice law, but the great objection to II is
the fact that il creates by law, and not by
the voice OF the people, an official class,
who in turn will come TO feel that they are
rightly pensioned upon the country, and
that the country must take caro- OF them.
This complaint OF insufficient salaries
comes chiefly from the millionaire ele-
ment, II not the shoddy. There has been
but little, ii any, from Southern Congress-
men, who are generally poor. When sal.
aries were much less than they are at
present, the standard of craftsmanship in
the Senate was at least as high as now,
and all will admit The purity and integrity
of the body has not been elevated. High
salaries and life tenures are not friendly TO
free institutions Keep the government
close 10 the pCop'e let salaries be ample,
neither parsimOnious nor eXtravagant. and
the honest public servant will find his
highest reward in the approval OF grate-
iul constituency.
Almost each successive Congress makes
q departure from the teachings and prin-
ciples Of government given 10 the world by
the builders OF our republican institutions
Civil pensions were unknown to our laws
thirty years ago, as in our time civil Off.
GERS drawing lull salaries during life. The
military pension list is widening and ex-
panding annually; INDECENT and wounded
soldiers are not only provided for, and &c.
cured against want rs they should be by
government, but the widows OF deceased
Generals are granted pensions in order that
they may live in princey style. All this
in imitation OF royalty, contrary TO the
spirit and genius Of our Constitution, aud
tending 10 subyert il.
There were pending in the last Con-
grcss, bills proposing 10 pension for life,
persons who had held civil office for
period Of twenty years. In effect, TO fc--'
quiro those who had failed 10 secure Office
TO support the more fortunate who had
besn successful in getting official position.
When will this character OF legislation
end2 Will il not be well 10 call a halt,
and travel back toward the people and the
early theory OF government OF our fore
fathers? Washington Il all the time filed
with army and naval officers on the rc-
tired list or on leave Of absence. This
privileged class consume the hard earn.
ings OF the masses and are constantly inn
p0riuning Congress for more.
But 10 return 10 the Senate once filed
with learned and inconuptible statesmen,
sent there through the free and unbought
will OF an independent constituency. In
the better days OF the Republic, when
much smaller salaries were not considered
inadequate. millionaires did not buy their
seats IN that body. OF seventy-six Sena-
tors, sixty-six are members OF thc legal
profession. Most OF those from the North
ap millionaircs, aud monopolisis and
favor high salaries, high tarlIsand extray-
agant appropriations. Many OF them are
railroad owners and officers, bankers and
corporation attorneys. The Senate has
ceased TO bo the conservative element
OF our national legislature. OF recent
years the House has saved the country Of
much unwise aud vicious legislation, and
been n check upon the cxirayagant action
OF that body. The masses have grown
FESTIVE under this state Of things, and
hence many favor the change Of the Con-
siitution 80 ~ 10 make Senators directly
elective by the people. Among the various
proposed amendments 10 the Constitution
OF the United States, this Is one OF the ycry<
few that should be made. Senators shoul
be more directly resi- ou,ible TO the poopld n
aud put into closer touch TO them by mak,
ing them dependent upon the popular
vote that may not be easily corrupted.
Our Government, IN some particulars, Isl
now the most oxirayagant in the world. IL
has larger pension roll than even any
monarchica or absolute Government
Tho voters are burdcned with onerous and
unjust taxation In order that the bene.
iciarics Of such taxation may be able TO
dispense largcsses 10 their rctainos by
means Of which their votes may be- con-
trollod TO still swell their plethoric Golfers.
Aud such are the ollcas who complain Of
inadequate pay. loun, etc,
r. T. q.
Ripley, Tenn, April q.
| aaaa
MA Ne fiee nj Cuthtie.