The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1850-09-22

sequen law The judges shall. al stated times, re.
seise for their services compensation, which shall
oe diminished during their continuance in Office" Well.
now they receive 500 for the first three years
hey are TO receive 81 900 afterwards, the compensa-
non % ls, IN point Of fact, diminished although the law
M hnkes ne dininuton may have been passed prior
70 e me o ne acceptance But the constitution makes
no such provsion--no such condition The Judiciary
no ne,eore N view OF the entire practice OF
w sose,hmeht, from It's organization to this hour,
thought y was better that we should adhere 10 the con-
duon ol mugs as hey are-to fix stated salary, CON-
nent. t----
And now, permit me TO say that, in my Judgment. there
w. oe no dncuy al all IN hndng persons accept this
cannot be got TO m them Why how is in every Siate
Of the Unon Where is there man ft for Judge when
he accepts the office, who does not abandon practice al
the bar equal to than twice his salary We know
that that is 30. And permit me to say where there is
life tenure connected with the office. il operates in
ducemeni TO accept the Office in lieu OF greater euolu
Mr. WHlTcoMB, Mr. President viii make very
few remarks in addition TO what has been said by the
from New Jersey OF gold seeking lis level There
another great law that will into operation 10 pro-
duce the effect to which have adverted i is now
Of California very great and they only just begin
ming to be brought into operation have no doubt that
there are great many persons there who have already
their Golfers with gold Is by OF the plough instead
Of the gold washer Now, twill be impossible for these
high prices in California remain stationary for on the
great principle Of supply and demand whenever the agri.
culturist finds out he can make more by cuvatng his
field than BY going through the plain IN search Of gold
he will turn his atieation exclusively to agriculture
Agricultural productions will continue to increase until
there is level in the demand and supply fsa
! took occasion % remark beiore that already the
prices OF many articles have very greatly diminished
the Pacific coast The immense prices which these articles
at first commanded drew into the market great amount
OF them from other quarters that they have become.
In many instances, drug in the market s#
But, sir, while concur in part OF the arguments
OF the senator from New Jersey must dissent from bis
urffh ha oxuka he
diminishing Of the judicial salaries. have always
thought that the proper rule in constituting law g
guard against Now, what was that evil. 10 obviase
which IT was proposed to keep the judiciary inde
pendent branch OF the government separate and uncon-
that if the legislature could inierere-not to increase.
but to diminish the salary Of the judgehe would have
the favor OF Legislation in his eye to govern his judicial
action But sir, in this case although the salary is pro-
posed to be diminished from year year. place It
upon equality by sliding scale, the Judge is not dis
and he will not be governed IN his action by legislative
favor confess have favored the amendment of the
senator from Arkansas. believe that before the time
will be far more equal on the Atlantic and the Pacific
coast than they are now or than it generally supposed
Mr. PRATT. There is one view Of the subject, Mr.
President which has occurred to me, which has not
been expressed by those that have spoken and to ths
wish to bring the attention OF the Senate The Judges
you propose to appoint will be invested with the judicial
authority to decide upon the title of the United States TO
grants of Spain over very large portion Of that country
Now lapprehend that there within the limits Of Cali.
iora very few professional gentlemen Of sufficient legal
abilityto take charge OF such office, who not IN
s y ns and ss
not themselves recommend TO be appointed OF the
Judges any one now residing within the limits of Cali
Judges from the limits of the old States. Now. sir.
taking the theory OF the senator from New Jersey that
LAWYERS are willing 70 give up practices worth double
and the fact the salary proposed is $4,000, would you
get professional gentleman within The old States, with
professional income Of ooo to give that up and
California with bis family for the same salary
apprehend not Those judges are to decide upon vast
interests of.the United States as to our title TO large
portions OF the land and OF known expert
want men OF known integrity-men in whom
the public will have confidence. Such men cannot be
OF the United States for the salary which is proposed
do hope therefore, that who voted nthe mega
tive will move TO reconsider the amendment proposing
80 900, and that it may be passed.
A SENATOR suggested that it could be offered again
when the bill was reported 10 the Senate.
!, Mr PRATT. In any way in which II can be done,
hope that the Senate will concur in the amendment
believe il is the lowest possible salary at which you
get proper officers TO 20 from The old limits OF the United
ing in all respects this Judicial duty
The question being taken on the amendment OF Mr..
SEBASTIAN, II was not agreed TO.
The question being taken on the amendment reported
by the committee, it was agreed TO,
The bill was then reported 10 the Senate, and the
M %S Il 1i i9%ss !. was sss m
amendment did in commttee-to sirikc 81 500 the
salary OF the northern district and insert 900 and upon
that question call for the yeas and nays.
The yeas aud nays ordered
Mr. SMITH. Me-. President, wish 10 say a very
lew words upon this subject. ] hardly believe that
the difference between 500 and $4,000 Il sufficiently
gear make any very essential difference in the pfac
teal result in this But, sir believe both the one
and the other tolally inadequate | have not
induced 10 60 to California to hold this permanent Office
Of judge even Tor salary o $1,000. believe that this
will be insufficient 10 enable any person to pay the
expenses OF supporting himself and his family in that
country, according to all the information that have re-
ceved. do not believe that the sun OF IS 500, or even
SO 0oo is good anything like good, 10 California
as the sum OF $500 is in he State OF New York There
are vast interests, Mr. President, a stake in this ques
ton. The United States have vast interests that are
be brought before the judiciary OF California There
millions OF dollars at stake and is Of the very highest
aud TO hold it, not for one, two, FIVE years, but
during lifetime who is competent to discharge its dn-
ties II will be necessary that the judge should oe per-
tecty conversant. not only with the comnan law and
statute laws of country but also with the civil law ot
the country | have no doubt that highly respectable
lawyers, residing this side OF the Rocky noun
iaIDs be induced accept this ofce and perhaps
will be very glad 10 do IL; but as the senator from Cali
forna says when they TO there, and enter upon
the discharge OF the duties of the Office after holding
one or two years. and after having studied and under
stood the laws OF the country, and become fully qualified
discharge the duties OF Judge, they will esgn, and
the public interests will suter in very great degree
Now conceive that the rule for Congress to take Is
the rule adopted IN reference 70 the State judiciary. We
all know that in the States on this side OF the Rocky
this government uniformly pays salary that