Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1844-12-10

SC'o VI tbS S5osSththShts
Governor (salary) s 1000
Secretary Of State coo
Auditor q 1870
Judges ofSupreme Court, salary LOCO
Members Of the Legislature do 50 per
diem.
Let j, be remembered that the present
population Of Ohio is probably twenty
times as large as that of Iowa yet the
difference in the pay of officers is compare
lively very ,rifling.
There appears to be fixed determina-
ton on the part of those in our own Terri
tory, who are for delaying the time of our
admission into the Union, to have at some
indefinite period hence, splendid state 60
vernment something rich something that
will call out the giant minds among us ; for
it has be ell pretended again and again by
the opponents of state government, that the
great minds in Wisconsin will never take
office unless they are well baitcd with fat
salaries. Republican simplicity is sneered
at. as being lily suited to the condition of
prospective greatness that awaits US hence
ii is not surprising, that this class Of persons
in Wisconsin at.enp, to ridicule the econ
omy of Iowa, and speak of the "5eggarly
salaries" which it proposes to give its public
officers. Hear what the Milwaukee Courier
says of the salaries proposed for the Judges
Of the Supreme Court of Iowa -" Now.
we ask, is there a lawyer of respectable tai
ents, who would take seat on the bench
of the Supreme Court, and assume all IFS
responsibilities for $500 year? Why,
this is but respectable retainer in an i'm
portant case" Respectable retainer indeed!
If there be lawyer in Wisconsin disposed
to charge such retainer fec in any case in
this Territory, the people would no sooner
elevate hun TO the bench of the Supreme
Court, than they would put wolf into a
sheep-fold. Not to speak diminu,ively of
the legal profession or 10 undcrrate their i'm
portance but every pursuit has its true rel
alive value, proporioncd to the services rem
dered. To ALLOW a lawyer single retain
er fee, equal in amount to the wages of
live years, allowed laboring man, is an in
eqnllity too monstreus to be tolerated in a
republican government.
1t has been repeatedly urged in some of
the papers of this Territory, that low salaries
under state government in Wisconsin, will
not command men Of talent TO fill the public
offices. Facts and experience, fir ossweiyb
all theory or assertion on this subjec'. NJ
ny OF the States, pay the Judges of the Su-
preme Court no higher s,laries, than is pro-
posed by the Constitution of Iowa, but in
what STATE has there ever been any difficu..-
ty experienced in securing the requisite lc-
gal qualifications for the office of Judge .
The ability Of Jsdga or Legislator, is
no where estimated accordng,o the amount
of pay he receives; in no state docs the
salary paid public officer, deter nine the
measure of his. talent. There are some
states in the Union where mag stra,es new
er receive any pay for services yet there is
no want Of qualified magistrates, nor are
the peoples rights less secure. That man
who has no higher motive in serving his
country, than the pecnniary profit it will af
ford him, is unfit to have public interests
committed TO his charge; such man will
not fail of being governed by a narrow and
selfish policy, when the public interest ap-
pears to conflict with his private interest,"
The man who loves his country, feels sat-
isfactlon in rendering il service and al
though he may reap less pecunary profit in
discharging the official duties of an office.
than he might in some other avocation :
nevertheless, The pleasure of serving his
country compensates for pecuniary deficien-
cies. Were there none disposed TO make
any sacrifice for the public good, our inst-
tutlons would soon be overturned, and soci-
ely 60 back to a condition of savageism.-
Much Of the best talent in the nation. has
been called from more lucrative pursuits TO
serve the people, and seldom has it occur
red where any have declined leaving pro-
htable employment, TO accept an honorable
station in the gift of the people or of the
Cover ument
1t will not be inferred from the foregoing
remarks. that a state government, which al
lows no compensation to public officers is
to be desired; no such thing is contended
Tor. 1t is only to disprove the sentiment
put forth in this Territory, that the high
salaries are best calculated to insure the
ends Of good government, that these views
are presented. If the constitution of Iowa
framed by the convention, should be adopt
ed by the people, the annual cost of state
government in Iowa will not much exceed