Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1831-03-08
RICHMOND, VIRGINIA, TUESDAY. MARCH s, 1881.

make such ifces for their country surely others
o''sh not to ctmP!aio, whose los, would be much
e's'-l am hrmy persuaded, that ii the wages were
thus reduced, we should get better men 10 serve US,
and OF course, the public business would be better
done. Independent OF The gain tina, would accrue BY
the reduction ot the wages, IL il certain the session,
would DO much shorter; because the in luce ent
would be taken away for spinning lem out to such
n IN a'onabe lengths. Al present there in both
houses 100 members, who receive 81 per day II the
session should prove long as tn ~ have heretofore
been, say 80 days. the pay would amount $50 T6O;
out y reduced TO the proposed sum of 50 per day,
which contend ought 10 be the case n would, OF
courte, amount only to half that sum- so that there
w9nld be saving, in each year OF S29 $780, snl if the
'ength OF the sessions were shortened by the adoption
.. ,s poey TO oo days then there would be saving
S39Sio But this Is not ALI there are other heavy
charges attending the sitting of tho Legislature besides
inc pay OF members Having no data to 20 upon, I
am at loss how to estimate them; but thu expence
.ha would be saved by this gain Of 80 days, in the
eosth oil the sessions, should suppose mig be fair.
set down at $500; which woul swell the total saw
ing 10 4So0o; and would, by much, reduce the
al ourhens on the people, II would enable o, the Le
s,sa'urs to be more liberal in the Governors salary.
MS was hxed like the wsgesof the Legislature, when
ns old government went FIRST into operation, at 1888
90 anu amidst all the fluctuations in the value Of
ney, aud the advance In the salaries Of other o
oil the government, II has remained the this
gay. Is this just! VAST magnanimous in tho Legis-
a'ure after having raised the pay OF its members
during that time, nearly $50 per cent, not to have
made some small addition TO the salary of the Govern
or have said that 20 per cent ought to be added to
Stood thereby making So. II the addition
made 10 the Governors salary, would amount exact
~, to the sum Of $1,000; which would bring the pay
Of each upon parand surely this is little enough
Tor the Governor of the great State of Virginia Ii the
proposed reduction made in The pay OF the mem.
bsr this advance could be made in the salary of the
Governor, without being fe-and 1t would, moreover,
enable the Legislature to be lib raj in the salaries
oil the Judges now about TO be appointed. Should the
proposed arrangement OF the Courts go into effect will
De necessary to appoint, Judges the rst OF our
state. Can the talents Of such be command ID without
an adequate nducement! hope to see the Judiciary
this Important branch Of our government-put upon
the most respectable fooing. Men filling high, re-
sponsioe and arduous Misunderstanding the
ted exertions Of all their facutes-as well bodily as
mental-ough, TO be paid literally for their services
and, trust, will be.
The questions as to the salary Of the Governor and
the pay OF the members being settled for the pres n
may have occupied my time in vain, in writing upon
those subjects; but trust what have ga d may be
borne 10 mind against another year; when shall hope
II live, to see the one raised, and The other reduced
to the proper standard-But the opinions have ex-
pressed 10 regard TO the Judges, may yet be too
late and hope the suggestions OF humble indvid.
ual-an old man standing the verge Of tho grave
speaking hi, own sentiments, as we'll as those he be-
heves, OF large majority of the Virginia people, may
not pass by altogether unheeded.
ONE OF THE PEOPLE.