The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1909-01-19
OFFICIAL SALARIES.

4
salary of the incoming president. No!
Not so much his, as their own. They
do it that way. Try it on the president
and if it goes all right, they add lit
tie on their own 1t is both a sop and
feeIcr. FOrbearance is a virtue. TX
csssive virtue becomes an evil. 1t has
become an evil with the American
people. Back in 1876, the congress at
tempted. and in fact, did pass law
increasing the salary OF its members.
But forbearance had not then become
an evil writes H. +. Porter IN lhe
Orator Outburst. A protest went UP
that frightened the offending members
out of their wits. Except one man, old
despised Ben Butler, nothing short OF
the record could induce members to
admit that they voted for it. Some re-
fused to draw the increase, and others
who had, converted it back into the
treasury.
Washington, Adams, Jefferson Mad
ison. Monroe, Harrison, Jackson ana
Lincoln served their country we'll and
faithfully on $4,000 a year.
And it is said that Mr.. Lincoln saved
up some money out of that.
Our first president, George Washing
ton. received no salary.
Twenty five thousand a year contin-
ued to be the compensation UP to 1878
the beginning of Grants second ad-
ministration, when it was increased to
| $50 900, and that was a sop and feeler
/ 10 the increase of the legislative pay.
heretofore mentioned, and which
/ caused such a storm of indignation
/ that it was repealed. Though baffled
| and Inundated, the itching was still
there. but experience had taught de-
! lay and stealth as a better way. All
things come to them who wait. That
NAV not be true in all cases, but it IS
! 10 the men that make them come. They
could They did. Firstly, they voted
each member $500 for private sec
rotary which place they filled with
themselves. wife, daughter niece, sis
ter. or some one in the family. Sec
ondly, voted themselves twenty cents
Per mile going and returning home
and thirdly, $2500 additional salary
But this is not all. The men that drew
up the constitution, in their simplicity
probably, thought the salary would
dover the entire compensation, or eX-
rense. Let one examine the bills for in
cdentals and he will be surprised al
the variety, and quantity of articles
the people pay fer, for the use of mem
bers of congress.
Going back to the president, beside!
the $4,000 salary, he is given {
house to live in, all furnished, $50,
ar7f
$4,000 for travelling expenses. But i
is urged, the living expenses have in
creased so that the men cannot af
ford to take these offices for the com
pensation deemed sufficient in tn
earlier days of the republic. TIL
: answer is, that there has not now
and never has been, any scarcity 0
congressional, senatorial, or presiden
: tial timber. What was claimed to b
the best, and most intellectual men i
the country We're eager to be congress
men, senators and president before tn
= pay was raised, and no more elaine
now There is a solution, if not
: very good reason for this thirst fo
big salaries. Protection made million
aires. Our office holders want to as
: | oOCi1le Will dIII ING ike lilS lIICl II
. own private cars, steam yachts, an
:, magnificent country residences.
9 Is it not a shame, they think, tina
= we congressman, judges and presider
have to get along on a little measl
salary of $4,000 to $4,000 per annun
:, which would not furnish pin none
for the wives of some of our big busi
ness men. How different from the day
:. when Jefferson rode horseback to tt
= seat Of government. and Jackson an
his friends, Davy Crockett and Sal
Houston. smoked their cob pipes, dis
: cuSsed the affairs of state, and cracke
jokes in the kitchen of the Whit
House. What has wrought the change
: Greed first, then ambition, pride an
vanity. Can We ever get back to tt
: simple life, the true life the republ
% can life? We must, or the fate of othe
civilizations await US How? By tt
: democratic plan. Wipe out, root an
e branch, all special privileges. Let tt
l. individual fly as high as he can. bl
It cut his wings so that he can not f
n very high. 1t would be bad to Xxi
o trusts. Yes! 1t does look heroic B,
e better kill the trusts than have IL
d trusts kill u.s.