The Placer herald., 1860-02-18
Salaries for LEGISLATORS.


pay Of attaches, copying, postage, fuel, lights
and expenses of contingent funds, was, in
round numbers, Sls7 ,626, or about sixteen
per cen: Of the entire expenditures for the
State Government. This is large figure
much larger, apparently, than the Legisa-
tive expenses Of State so recently brought
into existence should be, and it appears worth
while to consider some plan by which re-
duction may be effected
Under the present law fixing the pay of
members of the Legislature, they receive
ten dollars per diem for ninety days, and five
dollars per diem, for each day Of the session
beyond that time. By this arrangement a
session shorter than ninety days cannot be
looked for, and of course the pay Of attaches,
the cost of fuel, lights, and many contingent
expenses, must he for an equal period-and
by reference to a list of State expenditures
it will be seen these amounts reach con-
siderable sum. TO curtail these expenses
$4,000, erbaps 100000 per annum, we
propose the plan of paying Legislators stat
ed salary per mum, as is now the rule regu-
ating the pay of Congressman. Let their
salary be 5000 per annum, equal to $40 per
diem for ninety days, (hough $500 would
be ample,) payable to them at any time after
the organization Of the Legislature. This
would have the effect to shorten the sessions
to seventy, and perhaps to sixty days, and
as a result following, the contingent expenses,
the pay of attaches, etc, would be proper
tonably diminished. Members being aware
that they would receive as much compen
sation for session Of forty or sixty days as
one of a hundred, there is every reason to
believe that much time that is now needlessy
wasted would be devoted to labor and prompt
Legislation.
The first year Of the working Of a system
like this, we think would commend it to
popular favor, and establish it as a rule not
to be departed from.
The resolution passed at the last session
of Congress, causing the removal Of the
desks from the hall, also commends itself to
us rs a desirable reform, as thereby the at
tenton of members is directly engaged in
the business before the House, which is ne
cessarily expedited in consequence. Our Leg
islature could adopt similar plan with much
advantage to the dispatch of business; for it
mus, frequently have been noticed by spec
tators how varied are the engagements of
members at their desks during the hours of
session-many apparently, and perhaps in
fact, often not knowing the subject before
the House; and for the reason they are tax
ing the time then to perform labor that
should be performed during the hours of ad
journment
We believe that if measures like these we
have indicated be carried out, they will be
found to possess practical economy that
will save many thousands per annum to the
State Treasury. They are suggested to be
canvassed and discussed, and if considered
as likely to bring about the needed reform
and retrenchment, we hope to see taem en-
bodied in bill and passed this winter.
Nor.oN.r-Our Todd's Valley correspon-
dent says, Temperance organization, called
the "Order of No.-on.it" has been establish
ed in that place, possessing the peculiarly
of having two temperance pledges-the
right and left pledges. The right prohibits
the ardent in any form; the left permits
an individual to cultivate bis taste for malt
liquors only. Gambling is strictly prohibit
ed. The emblem of the Order is move ty,
and serves to remind members of their Just
deserts ii they brake their pie !ges-the
''rope's end" We rather like the institution
Since our correspondent has broken silence
10y taking up the pen, we hope he will con-
slider himself son it," and keep us apprised Of
the current tf events in his handsome little
city.
NEW LuMpE. YARD.-Messrs. Leach 4
Jamison have opened Lumber Yard on the
Auburn Ravine Turnpike, opposite the Toll
House, where they now have full supply Of
Lumber for building or mining purposes
They also have Shingles, Shakes, Doors and
Sash-al of which they intend selling cheap
for cash. They are also establishing q
Cabinet Mandatory, and in a shor. time
will be ready for any demand Of the public
in that line.
ET Messrs. Anderson, Leet, Beach and