Year: 1878

IAf1NG THREE PRICES FOR WORK.
When the old gentlemen who made this
government met in Congress, (and others
Tor about three fourths of century after
ward) they did the work assigned them
and did it well. They fixed their own
pay, which was eight dollars day Willie
i'll session. So long as this condition of
things lasted, no Congressman was ever
accused of selling legislation; or being
controlled by lobby rings. Nor were the
heads of committees purchasable. All
the knavish practices that are now
charged upon Congress and complained
of, have had their origin since the salaries
OF congressman were advanced from SS
a day or about $500 for the short session
and 81, 800 for the long session. In those
days men did not go to Congress to attend
horse races; or to exhibit their fine turn
outs and attend brilliant evening assem-
blages. They applied themselves seriously
to the duties their position devolyed upon
them; and they did the work themselves.
not through secretaries as is mostly done
at present. In fact a great part of the
work Of Congress is now done by other
hands than Congressman, and another
great part is done not in Congress but by
commissions and committees that set dur
ing the recess. We do not know how
many Of these bodies there are now; but
we know they each cost the country a
large sum OF money. What good is de-
rived from them it is hard to find out
But through them many jobs are gwen
out to friends and heavy expenses incur
red, for travelling, clerk hire, board, per
diem, &C., &c. In this way the work
that should be done by Congressman is
transferred to other men and made to
cost about three times what il should
cost, If done as it should be done, during
the session, even at the present high pay
OF from $50 to $40 day; or $4,000 a wear:
orS500a month, whether present or absent.
In fact many Congressman conduct their
own business at their homes Just as eco
nomically as they did before they
were elected. In two wears they
only serve about nine months, the balance
OF the term is at their disposal: and dur
ing these nine months many of them run
home every week or ten days to attend to
business, so that there is really now but
little attention given to the management
of national affairs. 1t is SO too in the
Executive Departments. They are al
run by bureaus, and Cabinet officers and
Presidents 60 junketing over the countr,
as II they were not expected to give theil
minds to the great subjects requiring at
tention. Presidents and Cabinets now
remind real statesmen of big boys, want
ing to see shows, sports and tournaments
rather than call to their minds the great
men OF the past. Such men as Madison
Monroe, Jackson, Van Buren,. TYLER
Polk, Fillmore, Pierce and buchanan
were not found wasting their time ava,





in pleasure seeking. They were barf
thinkers and labored diligently for the
elevation of their country; and theh
greatest aim was to secure an economica
administration of the government. WIS
dom and virtue combined were the quail
ties that recommended men in those day.
and such men regarded the love and hon
or bestowed upon them for their effort
far above price.


The increase in the salaries it was urg
ed would secure the services of bette
men. But the effect is to the contrary
There never was such extravaganza un
til the increase of fsalaries brought with il
to Congress all the attendants upon ex.
pensive living; and a class Of men who
value money more than they do national
greatness or the good of the people.


Economy is what the people want. II