Dictionary.net

The popular name for the general increase in Federal salaries in 1873. The Constitution provides for the compensation of the President, Senators, Representatives, Justices and Federal officers from the Federal treasury. The Act of March 3, 1873, provided that the President's salary be increased from $25,000 to $50,000, that of the Chief Justice from $8500 to $10,500, those of the Vice-President, Cabinet officers, Associate Justices and Speaker of the House from $8000 to $10,000, and of Senators and Representatives from $5000 to $7500. Another Act, March 4, 1873, was retroactive as regarded the salaries of members of Congress during the previous two years. This, the essence of the "salary grab," excited so much indignation that the laws were repealed, except those affecting the salaries of the President and Justices.