Jasper County Democrat, Volume 9, Number 44, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 February 1907 — THE “SALARY GRAB.” [ARTICLE]

THE “SALARY GRAB.”

Congress has finally passed the bill increasing the salaries of senators and representatives from $5,000 a year (the present figure) to 17,500 a year. Besides, the salaries of the vice president, speaker and members of president’s cabinet are lifted from SB,OOO a year (the present amount) to $12,000 a year. The bill takes effect March 4 of this year, from which date the new salaries will be paid. One of the chief reasons urged for the passage of this law was that the cost of living has increased so much that higher salaries were necessary. Congress is well aware that the higher cost of living also troubles the people who pay the taxes. Congress knows that the infamous Dingley tariff and the specially favored trusts and combines are largely responsible for this condition. But instead of reforming the tariff and taking steps to stop the extortions of the trusts, congress provides for itself by raising the pay of its members. In other words, congress bountifully looks after itself, the vice president, the speaker and the members of the cabinet, but will do nothing for the hard-working masses. Congress will vote subsidies out of the United States treasury to Harriman, Hill, Morgan, Spreckles and other men of their class, but not a thing will it do for the people.

President Roosevelt will be delighted to sign the salary grab bill and the subsidy graft bill and all other bills that provide for spending the people’s money.