American Republican and Baltimore daily clipper. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1844-1846, 1845-01-14

.low proposed by Mr. Lynch, TO limit the in
comes of clerks and registers to fifteen hundred
dollars, over and above their expenses, the ex-
cesses Of receipts over that amount to be paid
into the public treasury. 1t is certain, that if
any change is to be made in the mode or amount
of compensation, this is the favorable moment
in which to do it. AS all of these officers go
out of Office during the present year, under the
constitution, the incomes Of future occupants
can be regulated without reference to individu-
ais. Should any of the present incumbents be
re-appointod, they will have no just cause to
complain of the reduction, for they will accept
office upon the conditions prescribed.
In former times the collector of the city Of
Baltimore received commission on his collec-
tons. As the amount of the taxes increased,
it was considered better to adopt the mode of
giving him fixed salary of $4,000 per annum,
clear of expenses, By this proceeding the ci-
ty saves 4 considerable sum annually, and we
can see no valid object. on TO adopting Il similar
system of compromising clerks and registers
especially, as the State is in condition which
demands the application of all its resources.
But our object in commencing this article
was more to introduce the preamble and reso-
lutions offered by Mr.. Lynch, than to discuss
their proproty. The resolutions have been
heretofore published, but unaccompanied by
the preamble. We now give them together
with the only further remark, that the State
should act upon the principle, to be just before
it undertakes to be generous. The following
are the preamble and resolutions referred to
above:
Whereas, the debt of Maryland is SO very
great and her direct taxes so oppressive upon
all classes of her citizens, it is the solemn duty
OF the Legislature to devote itself TO those great
subjects, and while its lesolute aim shall be to
uphold the public honor, it should take care,
considering the low price of agricultural pro-
duce, that inordinate salaries and compensa-
tons are paid to none, but that the public bur-
thens shall fall alike on all; and whereas, by
the new Constitution of the State, all the prin-
cipal offices are about to become vacant to be
re-flled by the Governor and Senate, upon the
limited terms provided by said Constitution, and
it is believed that the compensations connected
with some of those Offices have been nordi-
nately great and should be reduced; and where
as, while it is necessary to preserve uniform
fee bill for the whole State, it Is the duty of the
Legislature TO provide that all excess over rea-
sonable compensations to the clerks of courts
and registers of wills, should be paid into the
public Treasury, to be applied towards reduc-
ing the taxes, in such mode as justice may re-
qaire, and as the Legislature may provide;
therefore,
Resolved as the sense of this House that no
clerk of u court or register of wills of the
State Of Maryland, should receive for his ser
vices Cover and above his espenses,) more than
the sum of fifteen hundred dollars year.
Resolved, That all excuses over that sum
shall be paid into the Treasury, under sworn
statements, to be applied in aid of the payment
of the direct tax as the Legislature may direct.
Resolved, That the number of assistant
clerks necessary in those offices, and their COM
pensations, and necessary contingent expenses
should be settled from year to year by a con-
mittee Of the Legislature, or some other tri-
bunal to be designated by law;
Which was read, and ON motion of Mr..
Lynch, referred to the committee on ways and
means