Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1862-01-17
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EDITOR SrArEsmAN: In looking over the pro-
csedngs of the Legislature observe, what l
cannot at this time but regard as an extraordi-
nary proposition, submitted by one OF the Rep
resantatiyes from Muskingum county. It's the
Introduction of a bill to repeal the act Of the
Legislature passed two or three sessions ago
providing for Common Pleas Judge at large
in the Eighth Judicial District, and upon the
resignation, decease, or expiration OF office, OF
the Judge elected nnder that law, to distribute
the salary now paid him among the other
three Common Pleas Judges in that District.
So far as the repeal Of the law providing for
the election Of that Judge is concerned, pre-
sume there can be no objection. There proba-
bly, never was much necessity in that District
for the additional Judge provided for BY that
law. The same may be said OF laws creating
additional Judges to those provided for In the
Constitution in come Of the Judicial Districts
Of the State, and the sooner they are repealed
/ the better. II there ever was any real necessl-
ty for these lave, owing to the decline Of busi'
| ness and the decrease in litigation generally
that necessity no longer exists
But to legialate at this time about an in.
crease of judicial salaries in the Eighth District
or any other District, to the amount Of TIyI
HUEDRRD DOLLARS ANNUALLY, or any other sum
| Is preposterous! The proposition should moi
| for moment be entertained. Our taxes are
not merely burdensome, but absolutely oppres-
siye Another feather may break the camel'a
back. II the Legislature can in any way reduce
the number of officers, BY all means let It be
done, but then let the money paid such officers
be saved 70 the people--not at this time, when
general bankruptcy is staring Us in the face, be
handed over to other Office holders.
A few years ago we only paid our Common
Pleas Judges sepsn hundred and fifty dollars a
year. And the services they rendered were in
amount and labor equal 70 the services rendered
| by any Of the Judges ct this time; and for COM
potency and Integrity presume the Judges we
then had could compare fav0rably With any
who now occupy position on the Common Pleas
bench. The expense Of living, too, was then
full as high as It Is now, taxes not more than
half they are at the present time, and business
then generally much more brisk and animated
than now, or probably will be for several years
to come. 49, :.
WHY, therefore, should not the salary Of all
our Judges be reduced at least one-half7 II
the effect of such o reduction should be to
drive few to resign, competent men would be
found ready and willing 10 occupy their places
But If Il should be feared that such rapid 70.
duction in judicial salaries would operate disas-
irously, in any respect, to the interests OF the
people, the Legislature can authorize, according
to precedents already established, the Commits
sioners of the counties comprising the subdi'
vision Of Judicial District, to Increase the pay
Of q Judge to the amount Of the present salary
Of that officer, or to any amount whatever, u
they deemed it expedient or necessary 80 to do
such increase to be paid out of the treasury Of
the county of which the Commissioners might
so order. In this way the services of judges
who are competent, and who honor the positions
they hold, would be retained, while, perhaps, In
some cases, hfth-rste pettifoggers, who have
forced themselves upon the people, might be in
duced to let 60. At any rate, the consideration
Is worthy the attention Of the Legislature. II
there Is any way to prevent incapacity and want
Of character from being placed on a par with
competency and integrity, let 1t be done at once,
Immediately. If It be possible, save the peo-
pie. .t
A FRIEND OF THE JUDicIARY.