The Washington herald., 1906-12-05

have decided TO undertake to increase the
pay of Senator's and members from 5000
to $500 a year. This determination has
not been reached without numerous con-
ferences and much confidential debate.
) The first diI ect move made toward the
eonsummation of Il wish. that has been
entertained for many years, occurred yes
terday. when Representative Tawney met
the members of the subcommittee of the
House Committee on Appropriations hav-
ing charge Of the legislative and execu-
tive bill. and announced that he had a
message Of good tidings for them in the
word from Speaker Cannon that he would
not stand in the way OF the proposition
coming from the committee TO increase
the pay of members and Senators from
5000 to $500
The subject was thoroughly discussed.
and in the roundup Of heartfelt comment
on the proposition. it developed that com
plete unanimity Of approval existed in the
subcommittee as to the desirability OF
the legislation in question.
During the day the Democratic leaders
were sounded on the subject, and it was
learned that they We're disposed to sym
the lives Of members of Congress would
bc a good thing.
he plan was advanced by the Repub-
hcan managers, that 10 avoid all effort
10 gain party adVVEtage, the Republican
majority should stand together in voting
for the measure and accept all the respon-
sibilty implied in the act. while the Demo-
crats should be at liberty to vote furiouslv
against the increase. but should make no
speeches against it, It was agreed that
II would be nadvisable to place the pro
posed legislation in the legislative bill
"h'ch will be reported during the next
lev days, but that Mr.. Littauer. the
chairman of the subcommittee having
charge Of The bill. should present tho
amendment on the floor Of the House
"hen the measure was under consldera-
ton.
The Increase includes the change of
the pay of the Speaker and Cabjne+
members from $500 year TO Slo.OO0 The
proposed change is not to 90 into efTact
until the 4th of March. 1903. when the
term OF the members Of the Sixtv-frst
congress shall begin. BY this course
members of the present Congress who
vote Tor the increase protect themselves
suitably from the charge that they are
voting to increase their own pay.
Another general Congressional election
must take place before the new com
pensation goes into effect. If this course
IS pursued. Few members of the present
Congress are disposed 10 claim that tbav
Will be members of the Sixtv-first Con
gress. and criticism of this sort would be
OF little force
The Famous salary Grab.
The present salaries Of Members and
Senators were fixed By special act ap-
proved January 20. 1S7t for the purpose
of repeating the notorious back pay
salary grab" fastened on the legislative
appropriation bill by the Forty-second
Congress on the 30 of March. 1873. That
measure was retroactive, and under it
Members and Senators voted themselves
increase Of pay from the beginning Of
the term in which the act was passed. /
Senator Allison is to-day the last living
survivor of the famous Congress that
voted the salary grab. His service in the /
Senate began the day after the grab act
was passed. The late Gen. John H. /
Ketcham, Of New York, was a member /
l.
death removed the last member of the /
House Of Representatives who witnessed /
the attempt over thirty-three years ago
10 increase the pay Of Members and Sen |
ators
Speaker Cannon whose service in Con-
gress wears the earliest date OF any now
on the longevity roll Of the House, en- /
tered that body with the Forty-third Con- |
Sress, and voted for the repeal OF the /
salary grab.
The political havoc that followed the /
salary grab of 1873 was something fearful, I
and men in public life were taught an
indelible and salutary lesson at that time I
which has not yet been forgotten by
their successors
Not only were scores of members of (
the House driven back to private life in (
the next general election, but the legisla- I
lures of a dozen States punished Sena- /
tors by refusing them a reelection |
Among those who went down were Matt
Carpenter, of Wisconsin; John A Logan. /
of Illinois, and Zach Chandler. of Michi- /
gan Matt Carpenter went before the /
people of his State with brilliant and /
daring defense of the salary grab, and in I
justification Of his vote dug out records /
to show that If George Washington had /
died few years earlier than he did he I
would have gone into history as de- /
faulter 10 the general government
Notwithstanding Carpenters bold and /
defiant plea, the legislature of his State /
refused to re-elect him. although four
years later he was again elected. as were /
Logan and others
In view OF the experience of many good /
men in those days the friends Of the pres /
ent effort TO increase Congressional pay 4
have planned their work with more than 1
unusual wisdom. They reason that the /
present compensation, while il looks I
large, is not enough 10 meet the many /
heavy expenses TO which man in public 1
life is subjected There are unceasing /
drafts on his generosity and good will.
INDECENT and unfortunate constituents /
are continually turning I'D in the corri- /
doris Of the Capitol with hard luck ap-
peais, which can only be assuaged by the l
descent of the giving hand into the trous-
ers pocket with the incident Joss of a s. /
or $40 bill. The living expenses Of the /
average member in Washington have of /
late years increased. and with the abolish /
ment of passes he is now confronted with 4
the discouraging fact that he cannot flee 1
from his predicament without paying out 1
good coin. Among sane men there is real /
ly little disposition TO criticise the desire |
Of public men for more pay.
It is recognized that they pay out most
of what they get 10 keep up the necessary
position and service of a Congressman. /
It is the backwoods constituent that is |
feared most.
A Members View.
4 can't avoid voting against an in |
crease said prominent Southern mem
ber last night, but 1 hope it VIII pass.
Why, my people would jerk me back into /
private lie so quick if I should vote for /
II that / would be dizzy a thousand years. /