The Chickasaw messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1880-1900, 1889-03-21
INCREASE OF sALARy DE
MANDED.


patriots, who spend lorthe Legislative
branch of this government more than
twenty millions of dollars annually,
for am increase OF salary for Senators
and members IN Congress TO $4,000;
aud. as they have the matter in their
own hands, it is probable they viii
undertake to assist in reducing the
surplus 10y doubling their own pay.
A dispatch from Washington SAYS:
"The question of Increasing the
compensation of Congressman has
been receiving the earnest attention Of
Senators. especially Of late, and there
{. an overwhelming sentiment among
them IN favor Of making the salary Of
Congressman $4,000 a-ycar, instead
Of $4,000 as at present, Members Of
the House Of Representative, while
fully ia sympathy with the Senators
on this point, are not yet ready TO go
to the full length desired by them,
fearing repetition of the outbreak
Of eensurc visited on the Congress Of
1873 for its action on the salary ques-
ton. But it is argued by the advo-
Gates ofthc increased salary that what
the people were indignant about then
was the "back pay" grab feature, and
that If the increase were made 70 date
from the end Of the 5lst Congress no
serious opposition would be made to
IT,"
The patriots argue that $1,000 a-year
Is not sufficient to enable them 10 keep
up the style aud enjoy the comforts at
/ Washington to which their social posi-
ton entities them. This was the rea-
son given for the "back salary grab"
and the increase from the old salary.
which the present membership enjoy,
but it would seem that fashion. folly
and extravagant social customs have
grown within the last Is years with
such wonderful rapidity that TO keep
up with the procession an additional
$1,000 to each member is to be voted,
to enable him to live in style and
maintain his social standing. We
wonder what Washington, jefferson
or Jackson would think of such a
proposition. Weimagine they would
conclude that in a Republic, like ours
was intended to be,that it was the duty
of the Representatives of the people TO
set their constituents examples Of in
Idustry and economy in theirown lives
and conduct, and as they were the
honored leaders of a nation. proud Of
IFS Republican simplicity, their social
standing was secured without the
necessity Of aping shoddy wealth and
grandeur Should the proposed in
crease IN salary be adopted, the style
of living in Washington would be in
creased in a greater proportion and
ten years from now il would require
$4,000 a-vear TO enable our senator's
and members in the Lower House to
vie with the millionaires they have
made by improper legislation and
reckless expenditure Of public money.
Nor is the idea of increasing salar-
les to enable the official to maintain
the dignity Of his position confined to
! Washington, But recently a gentle
man in this State. whose name had
been mentioned in connection with
the Office of Governor, writes a letter
disclaiming any ambition in that
direction, but boldly announcing the
\ opinion that the salary Of the Cover
nor should be doubled; appropriation
70 an the State institutions should be
increased $4,000 a-year he thinks,
should be expended in advertising TO
induce immigration and corpor-
iation- of an descriptions should be
treated with leniency and further in
dueements offered "by liberal fran
chses. exemptions and non-interfer-
ance with their management" And
these autocratic sentiments are abso-
lutely applauded by the organ Of the
4 present State administration
theoretically, the ohice-holders are
the servants Of the people in a govern
ment like ours; but in truth and in
fact, the public officials have reversed
the order Of things and have arro-
gated 10 themselves authority unwar-
ranted and are daily and hourly exer-
cising assumed powers in conflict with
free institutions and detrimental to the
best interests Of the people.
Instead ofinoreasing the salaries OF