The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1895-02-26
A PERTINENT PROTEST.
Taibcrt's Speech Againts tho Propo-
sttton to Pay Members Clerks Dur
Ing the Recess OF Congress-,

TaiDcrts Speech Againts tho Propo-
sttion to Pay Members Clerks Dur
Ing the Recess of Congress-.
Mr.. Chairman | want to enter
my protest here and now against this
proposition, which will increase the
appropriation by nearly one-half mil
lion, to pay members clerks during
the recess. 1t has been said, and truly
said, by the distinguished gentleman
from illinois (Mr. Cannon) that this is
great country; that tE is is a rrcat
government that we are possibly the
richest nation on the face of Gods
green earth, with 10000 or $50, 900
miles OF railroad, with great cities,
with numerous banks end other insti-
tutions, etc. Truly we are the great
est nation upon the face of the earth.
But, Mr.. Chairman, beneath all this
greatness and grandeur and wealth is
the canker Of n disturbed and an op-
pressed people, who are ground to the
dust between the uppor and the nethcr
mlllstoncs OF want and usury who LAY
by their labor every dollar that is ap
propriatcd by these billion-dollar
Congresses. | want to protest by nv
voice and my vote for the great mass
OF people who to-day are recognized
only in the burdens they bear in the
way of taxation and government ex-
penses; who are already up to their
eyebrows in debt.
Mr.. Chairman, it is for that people
and that class Of our people that |
raise my voice today and plead against
adding this additional feather to the
camePs back which is already bearing
such burden. 1t is true that gentle
men hcre may be engaged in impor-
tant business for their constituents,
but they could attend to that business,
many OF them, very much better If
they would let alone the entertain.
ments and receptions If they would
stay away from parties, stay away
from card tables and drinking saloons
and elsewhere, and come here and at
tend to their duties. Nine out OF ten,
| am satisfied, of the members of this
House only want clerks to do duty
that they could do and ought to do
themselves, as has been well said by
the gentleman from Mississippi, and I
arm unwilling to sit hero and see this
extra expense saddled upon starving
people, while nothing is done for their
relief.
| want to enter my solemn protest
against increasing the burdens under
which they labor now. The whole
tendency OF the times is to increase
the burden imposed upon the taxpay-
or. Every employee or the Govern
ment, who Is now receiving too much,
wants his wages raised and the mem
bers OF this House, some of them am
sure, who are now ready to vote extra
pay to clerks, would be doubtless will
ing to vote to raise their own salaries
to $40, 900 year | am opposed to it,,
and will not vote any increase Of taxes
on an already overburdened people; and
upon this principle | will stand or fall.
Give us something that will relieve in
! stead OF increase the hardships OF the
| country, and | stand ready TO support
it with my voice and my vote, but
| never, no never, will | assist by my
vote in saddling upon the country, al
| ready ruined, any measure that will
! add to the suffering and want to
warn members of this House that one
| day, If this thing continues, an enrag-
ed people will hold them to IL personal
| account and ought to. [Applause.l