| Show THE LABORER IS WORTHY OF HIS HIRE the system hitherto and at present prevailing in great britain by which members of parliament have to serve without pay is ie it seems seema about to be done away with the dispatches dispatcher recently informed us that a bill providing for salaries for the members was introduced in the house of commons and pawed passed the author of the measure la Is william allen alien a liberal from newcastle u ader ly lyne ne though it has been spoken of at times and even agitated for a good many years the vote was for to ag against ast not a very large malo majority rity but so for practical purposes weare we are disposed to agree with an eastern in the opinion i that in a country where the right of off rage is so widely recognized as it is ie in great Brita inand inana where the masses manses of the people are permitted to take a self elf governing interest in public publican affairs airs it is ia no longer compatible with sound policy to maintain old barriers barriera to popular per ferment and reserve legislative honors only for those who are able to accept and hold them without pay A period in english history has baa been reached when the people having direct voice in the select n of their representatives to the house should klao be relieved of all restraints ote upon their own eligibility to the same responsible distinction the same name authority thinks that it is perhaps a commendable sort sorl of patriotism and in some oases cases it is ia doubtless a noble spirit of self floe that members exhibit in ren rendering derine gratuitous service to their constituents but honorable as their service may be it works a certain injustice to others who equally patriotic illy ally capable of wise legislation equally to in sympathy with the nest best interests of the government ment and the be people are barred government Sovern by y tress stress of means from aspiring to seats eats in parliament it amounts simply to placing a premium upon wealth without regard to the means by which it was obtained and a discount upon honest and capable poverty and as such is an iniquity at all times in theory while inevitably so in some eases cams in practice to be a member of parliament is to be a cynosure at once good clothes must be worn and more expensive habits than are at all consistent with a poor mans circumstances be engaged in and yet as to is so often the case the poor man maybe may be the ablest and fi fittest one I 1 in n the entire division or district may in fact as aa is sometimes the case be the only one qualified why should the people be taxed for his maintenance or else forced to the alternative of sending some one they do not want and thus ought not to have this amounts to double taxation for a single purpose another in equity the constituency are taxed directly for the SUD support rort of their member and aad indirectly by the government for or the same name object and it should rot cot be we ve again agree in the fullest manner with our 0 temporary when it says that whatever the effect of the allows allowa oe ce of salaries to members of the house may have upon the quality of its statesmanship it cannot fail to enhance its self respecting independence and per personal dignity the present system of depending up dpn in outside for proper subsistence and maintenance is one I 1 that hat is not altogether with danger and which to men of sensitive temperaments carries with it a species of humiliation the emancipation of members from this drawback we are shown will mark a anew new era in the triumphant progress of england toward a brave and self assertive democracy it will relieve them from many disagreeable necessities the champions of irish liberty will no longer have to depend upon their sympathizing friends in the united states to help them out the way will be opened to many good citizens against whom the doors of the parliament house bouse arenow are now practically closed and the state may mav day dav if it lines not now require their services serviced ser vicea what would probably have been the record of for example henry clay had the doors of congress Congre aa been looked against him only to be set ajar with a golden key ey true men of his hia grand mentality scholastic attainments magnetic presence oratorical power and impetuous disposition of ca i never be kept down or in the background save through misfortune but how bow much longer would it have been than it was before he could have en an arod congress and to what extent might that not have his work and dimmed the lustre of his undying fame the qualities named are god given and intended for moa lo benefit and use what ris right elit therefore has man to say that they shall not be put to such use in the pi ice where they will be mst m at potential because forsooth the owner Is in not in posses sion of the stuff we are constantly admonished to is not to be bowed down tol to let the worthy and capable workman in whatever depart department departie me ot ot life be paid proportionately to his merit aud and his bis service that justice and the right may prevail |
