Today, politicians are often viewed negatively as they prioritize their own interests over those of their constituents. However, William A. Wheeler, the 19th Vice President under Rutherford B. Hayes, stands out from the rest. While there is ongoing debate about whether politicians should determine their own salaries, Wheeler was one of the few who actively opposed it. He was so committed to this belief that he even declined a salary increase in 1873, despite Congress passing the controversial “Salary Grab Act.” Let’s take a closer look at Wheeler’s early life, political career, his role in the 1876 crisis, his time as Vice President, and his legacy after his death.
