Gazette Of The United States And Daily Evening Advertiser

ON SALARIES.

AN EXTRACT.

That the salaries of the officers of our government are too high, has been a theme of perpetual censure, from the first establishment of the constitution; and yet, Congress have been obliged repeatedly to make additions to many of them, to prevent the resignations of some of their best officers.

The proper rule to be observed in granting salaries, seems to be this-- "the salaries should be, so high as to command the services of those citizens who are best qualified to fill the offices."

It is certain, notwithstanding all the clamor about the wages of Congress, that many gentlemen whom the people have elected as their best men have declined taking their seats, because they could make more money at home in private business. They do not deem the wages of a member of Congress during a few months session, an equivalent for the loss of business to be incurred by absence.

It is a fact equally well known, that many of the first officers of our government can barely maintain their families upon their salary, even with rigid economy. I throw out of question, all profusion in expenses, which government should never countenance.

The truth seems to be, that public salaries should equal the private income of men of the same private merit and standing in life. To place them below the ordinary income of respectable merchants, lawyers and farmers, among whom the officers of government have associated in private life, would render the offices contemptible--respectable men could not be found to fill them--and the public would lose by such false economy. Now it is well known that, in all the large towns in America, men of the same walks in life, as the members of Congress, and the higher officers of government must, with ordinary economy, expend a sum of money, equal to the salaries annexed to most of the important offices of our national government.