The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1869-11-18
nAvEraA. THURSDAY. NOV. Is. 1889.
More R.dleal ns.rsnehmen..

RAVENNA, THURSDAY, NOV. Is. 1859. |
More Radical RetrencEment.
The people are likely to have anoth-
er taste of Radical retreuchment the
coming winter. The effort is to be
made to obtain an increase Of the salary
of our Supreme Judges. The Cincin-
natl Commercial, the leading Radical
paper offthe State leads off in the adj
yocacy OF the matter and the other
papers Of that party are falling into
line. The Commercial says that /" the
measure will be pressed upon the
Legislature" This is the manner in
which radicalism redeems its pledges
Of "rctrenchment and REFORM"
While large amount Of the most re-
munerative property OF the state is
exempt from taxation, fand while the
people are groaning under an oppress-
i've load of taxes imposed by radical
rulers, the effort is to be made at the
coming session Of the Legislature to
increase still further their burthens
by augmenting the salaries Of the
Supreme Judges of the State. This
matter in and of itself would be OF
small consequence IL Is true, bat then
there are hundreds of other public
servants whose salaries and compen-
srtion are no more liberal and quite
as inadequate TO their wants as are
those Of the Judges Of the Supreme
Court and who have as much claim
upon the Legislature for an increase
Of compensation; and it is "the last
hair that breaks the camel's back. y 1t
is measure not called for by the peo-
pie and which it is very doubtful
whether they would sanction unless
under the accommodations of the radical
{ leaders Of" disloyalty" for opposing
it. II would undoubtedly be very
agreeable to the members Of the bench
themselves to be able to pocketa few
thousand dollars more of the public
money, but we very much doubt
whether they demand the increase.
II the Supreme Judges were able to
: support themselves and maintain the
dignity oftheir positions on $4,000
year salary, when Government green
backs were worth but forty cents, on
the dollar in gold, there is no reason
why they cannot do so now when a
greenback dollar is worth from seven
ty-three to seyenty-five CENTS. The
. nature of their duties is no more inn
pertant now, nor is it likely to become
30 than for several years past, SO that
there is no excuse for the proposed
increase on that score. But it is said
that these Judges could make double
the amount Of their present salaries
in the practice of their professions.
That all may be true, but was no; less
true then than it is now, and they have
the privilege Of following their pro-
fession if they so desire. Their &C.
ceptance of these positions is volunta-
ry ON their part. We notice when
the annual State Conventions come
round, notwithstanding: theI meagre
salary Of $4,000 year, there are always
enough men, deemed competent fol
the position, who are willing and
anxious to abandon their lucrative
practice and accept them, and who, in
doing SO are not actuated solely by
motives of patriotic devotion to coun
try. And then again, it is claimed
that this is not a measure of "a prrtisar
d nature. We hope the Democratic
members ofthe Legislature will no
{ be wheedled into voting for it by any
such pretext, but will oppose It. q
every step. The last Radical Legis
lature increased the per diem of tn,
members, claiming that it was mot
n partisan measure" whereby the ex
penses of that body were nearl,
doubled, and although the next Dem
=. oeratic Legislature could not chang
u the law so AZ to effect themselves
they were charged by the radios
press and stumpers with the entir
consequences of the increase. Sc
during the session Of the late Legis
lature, under the urgent solicitation
Of leading radical politicians and tn
recommendation Of radical Goyerno
Hayes, several new Offices and ne,
Judgeships were created, which mos
ly went into the hands of the taloil
patriotic" radicals, by which til
burthens Of tax-ridden and tax-oE
pressed people werelargely increased
This was all done under the plea an
pretext that these were not partiza
q measures; and was accomplished b
tho votes of Radical as well as Dem'
cratic members, but no sooner W,
the thing consumated and the peop
began to see and feel the effects of
than the radical press and politician
from Governor Hayes down set I
their bowling against the Democart
Legislature as the authors of tho g:
travagant and useless folly and evt
. the men who were feasting upon Il
spoils and had been foremost in urgir
the measures through, Joined in Il
hypocritical howl. Let no Dem
cratic member of the present Legi
lature be hoodwinked into suppo
'i1 Of this measure. 1t will be tir
enough to increase these salaries, al
the bnrthens of the people, when it
ascertafned' that competent men t
the positions are not even anxious
serve the State at the present salai
1.-THE thing is to he accomplished
the present Legislature let the Rae
Gals enjoy all the glory and hon