The Monte Vista journal., 1898-03-05
JOHN G. BELL.
Corruption in High Government Places.


from Congressman Bells speech
of January II, upon the bill max.
ing appropriations for the civil
service:
l want to call attention to the
fact thnt We have judiciary in
this Government that has a life
tenure. l want to say that there
has never been man appointed
on the bench that the majority Of
the American people did not be.
lieve that there were thousand
more just as deserving, just as able,
Just rs much entitled to the place.
But they had not what is known in
Legislative parlance as "the pull. "
They had not the influence. In
the interest of the official class
that has brought on this discussion
You say man shall sit on the ju-
dlcial bench in this Capitol, shall
be furnished. with all the tools with
which he may work, shall be fur.
nished shelter and Office furniture,
shall be allowed to fix lis own time
for labor, and shalt draw 10000 a
year salary.
And when he has served up to
the age of 70 years, this House in
the interest of this official class,
has said that such incumbents may
retire from active duty. Without
pay? No; his pay must go on;
but you have said that every old
farmer, every man who has worked
at the mill, every man who pays a
worth taxes. shall be taxed
till death in order to support this
retired Judicial officer from the age
Of 20 years until he dies of old
age. This must be done in order
to provide salary for this man
who, during his years OF active SER
vice, has been drawing an immense
salary. while these other men who
have by taxation paid that salary
and have lived a life of poverty.
Why not pension the farmer, the
mechanic, the miner, or the gem
sral laborers who have worked in
and out Of season to make this
great and have never re-
,eived any favors from the Gov
srnment? Why not pension them
when they have reached the age of
10 years? Why pick out for a
pension the men whom the Gov
'rnment has favored most during
heir working years?
There can be but two answers to
his question. One is that, being
inder the law officers with a life
'enure, it is necessary to pay their
to them in idleness in or.
Ter to secure their resignation at
he age OF 20 years, when they are
presumed to be beyond the age of
,ood service The other is a
naudlin sentiment that has gained
| foothold in this country for the
Of civil pension roll,
'r, in other words, the building up
II an American official class.
Let us see how this works out in
PRACTICAL application. There is
me judge Of the Supreme Court
Who goes on the retired list this
'ear after serving more than thirty
'ears on the bench. At a salary
II $4,000 year his service in
hirty years would net him $780,
700. One hundred thousand dol.
srs OF this would MAINTAIN him in
comfort, becoming the position,
eaving him 100000 TO maintain
,im after the age Of 20 years. IL
,ot that quite enough?
Why pick out the man who can,
Tith ordinary frugality. have such
IN abundance, when he reaches the
'ge Of 20 years, m a pepsioner?
Why mako the farmer. miner, me-
'hnnic and lAborer, after he has
cached tho age Of 20 years in pov.
'rty and distress, labor on 10 tho
'rave paying taxes to keep up the
'ension Of this favored class?
Ia II not about time there WAS a
eveling up Of men more in accord.
Incc with their real worth than
nth these old vestiges Of the All.
lent sristocracy?