Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-02-13

for he thought the question before the House
one which could stand upon its own merits.
He understood that in 1856 the salary of the
State Treasurer was raised to $1,000 and has
remained there from that time to the present,
not $780, as had been stated. In 1856 the
whole amount of receipts and expenditures
which passed through the State Treasurer's
hands in one year was 81, lO0,0 900. How is it
in 1871? The whole amount now of the re-
ceipts and expenditures, as he learned from
the Treasurer's office, exceeds 1000, 900.
Thus it would be perceived that the response
biity has increased, and if the salary is in
creased in the same proportion to the amount
of receipts and expenditures, it would be
about four fold. As he understood it, the busi-
ness connected with the sinking fund alone
exceeds the whole amount which passed
through the Treasurer's hands in 1856 when
his salary was $1,000. With this large amount
of business it would be admitted of course
that the State should have in that office a
man not only Of the strictest integrity,
but also man capable of performing the
duties therein. The State requiring this, it
did seem to him that it should pay an ade-
quate compensation tor this responsibility. 1t
seemed to him that there was not an officer in
the State but y hat was paid better than the
State Treasurer when taken into considera-
ton his responsibility He is obliged to fur
nish bond of Sl50,000, and there are but
few men comparatively who can furnish a
bond of this description that canbe satisfac-
tory.
Mr.. CARLETON replied to Mr.. Titcomb
briefly. If the work had been done during
| the war for the present salary, he thought
| good men could be found who would be will
| ling to do it for that now. He did not believ e
| in raising salaries when the people are so
| heavily taxed, and he thought with his amend
ment that the salary would be high enough.
Mr.. PERRY, of Oxford, did not believe in
raising salaries as general thing, and would
go with his friend from Whitcfeld upon all
matters of retrenchment where he could con-
scientiously think it right. But he thought
sufficient salary should be given to secure
the services of an efficient man. He referred
| to the responsibility of the position, and men,
| toned number of cases where our State
Treasurers have met with losses and some
times the State has suffered, not from any
dishonesty, but from the difficulties of the
Office loss was sustained. He urged this as
a reason why the present salary was not ade-
| quate to the responsibilities of the office. He
| also alluded to the ''Peck defalcation," and
to the bonds which Treasurers are required
to furnish. He would vote against the
amendment, because he thought the sum o.
$4,000 nothing more than right.
Mr.. CARLETON further advocated hi:
amendment, and referred to the large amount
of work that is done by the Supreme Judges
for 81, 500 year, who have spent nearly hall
of their lives to attain their legal attain.
| ments. If this work was done by them fol
s., 500 he though So, 900 would be enough fol
the work that is done by the State Treasurer
The amendment was adopted and the bill
| passed to be engrossed.
Adjourned.