The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1906-12-21


have Bible verbiage, a Thus saith the
Lord" for every action, and who
avoid street cars because Christ rode into
Jerusalem on an ass.
nv
If a canvass were made of Congress it
is probable that not one man in that body
could be found who would not declare
that the salary grabs of $1,000 year was
not sufficient pay, but the salary grabs Of
the past have been so disastrous to the
political aspirations of Congressman that
there are only few men at the Capitol
who dare to come out above board and
speak for such an increase. Represen.
tative Littauer of New York who is serv-
ing his last term and who is very rich
man has been delegated by the body Of
Representatives who are not serving their
last terms and who are not rich to speak
for them in favor of an advancement of
the salary from $1,000 to $500 year. He
has performed the favor with grace. To
make sure that there would be no howl
from the home districts about salary
grab" the lower House last week broke
the news gently by proposing an increase
in salaries of the Vice President and the
Speaker of the House to $4,000 This
went through SO smoothly that another
proposition was promptly made to in
crease the salaries of the Cabinet Officers
to $I2, 900 also. Still there was no oppo
sition and when the subject of giving the
Congressman a raise was proposed the
timid ones were encouraged to consider
it safe proposition. There were few
of course, coming from districts that are
VIGOROUSLY disinclined to stand pat on an
increased salary plank, who raised q
feeble voice in objection to the scheme
but there was noisy silence on the part
of the majority, and only few who had
the nerve to openly advocate it and ad-
wise the Representatives to abandon their
hypocrisy in the matter. During the
discussion Representative Gaines said he
had letter from Senator Tillman saying
that he Senator Tillman) would starve to
death if his salary was not raised.
There is no doubt that five thousand
dollars will not go much more than half
as far now as it did when that salary was
agreed upon for Congressman and it is
equally true that Congressman with large
families cannot live in much comfort or
any style in Washington on that amount.
According to Becky Sharp it was easy to-
be "virtuous on ten thousand year" but
that was pounds sterling or Sc, 900, and
nowadays it is very easy for Congress.
man to be dishonest on FIVE thousand
year. But even this has its difficulties for
with the muck rakers so busy a Con.
gresham stands little chance of teiug
dishonest without being caught, and
whereas Congressman's salary at one
period in our history was the smallest OF
the amounts he could make out of his
position, the case is greatly changed now
and there is little or nothing to be made
on the side. The withdrawal of free rail.
road passes has been another blow at the
poor Congressman's pocket book, and
while the majority may be able to get the
Injuries of life out of their five thousand
there is little left for the necessities. 1, |
does appear that an increase is reasonable
and ought to be realized.
~
If the recommendations OF Postmaster
General Cortelyou made in his annual