Lynchburg Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1829-185?, 1831-01-03

strneled 10 enquire into the expedency of
changing the organization of the Roard oi Pub
hc Works, aud Transferring their duties TO other
oihcers OF the Government. In reply TO n
mark OF Mr. Williams Of Harrison, MIR. II. pro-
iessed his freadlines, to the Board his object
was TO ascertain il IL could not be rendered ore
! efficient.
Mr.. Holland offered resolution instructine
! me COMMITTEE OF Finance TO enquire into the
ekpediency of reducing the pay and mileage of
members ofthe General Assembly.
Mr.. Witcher said this subject had, at various
times been brought ia the consideration of the
General Assembly lie should vote Tor il, because
the salaries of the Officers of the Government
] generally, would lie brought under revision
and being OF opinion that the salaries generally
were too high. he was willing To begin the work
OF retrenchment with his own. The embarras-
sed situation of the country demanded econo-
my. lie was friendly to moderate salsrIes--not
40 much account Of the injury TO the
people, from the mere payment of high sala.
ries, as from the consequences Of ektrsvagaoce
to which they conducted. IL the resolution
should he hoped it would be adopted, aud q
bill reported, he should be ready TO present his
views TO the House Willing To hnve bis
| own vote recorded, Mr.. w. called for the
ayes aud noes, aud the call was susts ned by
the House
Mr. Williams OF Harrison said he agreed in
duced. we ought TO begin with our own. But
MS this had not yet laken place, he hoped ours
would be left IN Stdta quo, and those of other
officers increased for he was satisfied they
were in many cases, too low he should there
fore vote against the resolution. He hoped
the gentleman from Pitsylvanis, (Mr. HtchcrD
d not mean TO insinuate. by calling for tue
ayes and noes, that gentlemen would vote diff.
ferently when their names were to be publish
/ salaries DIV hui
those moderate salaries would not fail 10 intro
duce moderate men.
MIR. Wicher dsclaimed any insinuaiion like
I'll at conjeciured, aud explained the motive OF
his call for the ayes aud noes. The resolution
was Of some Importance, as connected with
the probable events OF the session, and as he
might in its progress, he under the necessity
Of young to reduce the salaries of others, he
was wiling 10 record the evidence of his con-
Sent 10 reduce his own pay. He was DESTROYS
of showing that he meted to himself the same
measure thai no metet TO o hers. lie did no
assent to tho opnion that high salaries pro
cured the best talents, The tendency Of high
saIaries To increase office hunting TO
fill The country with swarms of sexpettants
and dependents looking to places. This
tendency was more prtjudlcial to the morals OF
the country, than the amount OF salaries WAS in
furious TO the people II lie believed that high
salaries would secure the best talents he should
be disposed To he liberal but modest and re-
tring men, generally possessing the best tai
enis, would be showed aside by those. who
wished Office merely FOR the sake of the emolu- |
ment. Mr.. w. alluded TO the hardness OF the |
times in his section of the country-the low |
price IF staple products, and the oppression oil |
the country, as calling for this measure OF re- |
trenchnent; and To the effect OF high salaries
TO produce high living aud to overthrow the
simplicity ofrepublcan manners. Man was an
initiative animal, and the extravaganza ndu-
ced by high salaries was initiated TO the
ruin of many. One of the evils under which |
welabored was the habit of living above our in
come.
Mr.. MILLER of jietourt moved to lay the re-
solution on the tabe--in order 10 give many
who were absent, an opportunity OF voting on
il, and TO save lime by having it decided
promptly.
Mr.. Watkins concurred in the views of the
gentleman from Botetourt. The resolution
ought to he viewed as affecting the officers OF
the Government generally and leading 10 rule |
for their salaries, aud required tine for con
sideraton.
The resolution was then laid on the table.
The engrossed bnl authorizing the Board Of |
Public Works to make further subscription |
To the stock of the Hellsbarg and Washington !
Turnpike Company, having been read a thiid |
iime-lhe situation oil the Company aid the !
reasons of the application were explaineJ AT
some length by Mr. Campbell of Brooke
Mr.. Venable adVeried To the numerous ap- |
plcatons made Tor assistance from the Ennd /
of internal improvement, and the variant pm !
ciples upon which they are founded. Tue law !
regulating tue mode of distributing the aid of |
that fund seemed 10 be LOST sighI OF and IN |
order to establish some certain rule, Mr.. v |
moved to lay the bill for the present ON the table
which agreed to.
The engro,sed bill forming n new county by I
the name OF :" Floyd" out of the county of
Montgomery, was read the 81 lime and passed
by large majority
Bis PdSsed-l. Respecting an act changing
the place OF holding separate election in the
county Of Harrison. . Incorporating the Nor
folk A1ueduct Company.
The resolution oftha Committee of Courts
Of Justice. to whom resolution on the sub }
Jet submitted by Mr. Knox. was referred, de. 4
csripg il expedent to change the tenure by
which Clerks of County Courts hold their OIL !
ces fr ,m lite 10 a term Of years-and giving the /
Courts power within that term, 10 remove
them generally, having been read
Mr. Campbell of Brooke moved to eYpunge
the latter clause OF the resolution.
Mr.. Knox opposed the motion. lie vewcd !
the power thus gwen the Courts, as the most
valuable feature OF the resolution. II was the
genus Of our institutions, that officers should
be ON all occasions, and under all circumstances
responsible 10 the appointing power. Was there
to be no responsibility during the term for
which The Clerks held I II offences were com
mitted within the time. how was the offender !
10 be removed tie WAS fastened on the Court
end the people, until his term expired. The +.
character OF Ihe County Courts, was d guar |
antee, that the power thus confded, would |
not be abused. II would be exercised VITA |
great caution and only in extreme cases.
Mr. Campbell of Brooke, expressed his con
currence in the propriety of changing the te-
nure from life TO a team of years, (Mr. &. indi- |
Gated fire as a suitable period) but he was ut
terly opposed TO the vesting the County Courts
with the power of removal at their arbitrary |
will. He was opposed to it for the reason that
| il womb keen the Connties In nernetlal fer. |