Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1873-03-15
NO. IL.
R REPUBLISHING LAWS.
The Undue Cost of the Republication Now
in Progress-5ome Salaries Contrasted.

Aessrs. Editors FL met few davs ago
a prominent aud experienced gentleman Of
the legal profession, and our conversation
turned on the public ttion Of he laws as
amended, authorized by the Legislature at
the last session to be done by the Secretary
of State. This gentleman expressed very
great surprise that it should have been
done at all, not tsing, in his opinion,
necessary, but he was utterly astonished
to hear that the Committee should recon-
ment one-hslt the sum of SO 900 for the
work. " Why" he said, "a few wears
ago 1t was thought proper to have the laws
codlted, and the work was committed to
the hands of the late Chancellor Hafrng-
ton, the present Chancellor, and Hon.
Joseph P. Comegys, who were paid about
one thousand dollars each, for far more
important and laborlous services.
The original proposition made a. the
/ last session of tie Legislature was to codify
the laws, aud Judge 1ouston, Victor Du-
Pont, ESQ.,, and, of course, one of the
favored family, c. W. Wright, were named
as commissioners, but su"h strong obI.c-
tions were made on ground chiefly tc the
expense that the proposition was r, iected.
Subsequently, In order, doubtless, TO put
money into the pockets of certain persons,
who 1t seems have to be supported by the
public from the treasury, the Secretary
of State was authorized simply to publish
the laws as amended, which It was said
would not cost over five hundred dollars,
and which Is ample for all the service
which has been performed, this was TO he
done az mere matter of references and
not to be made the law of the State. If
this was not the understanding, the
State has certainly falleu to very
low ebb, and shockingly below its
former position TO commit to the hands
of young and inexperler ced man
though he was TO be aided by his
brother in-law no better qualified for such
important duties,as few years ago were
considered proper for the heads of hree of
the most able and experienced jurists in
the State.
Now, as to the value of the work. some
LAWYERS say II Is worth nothing, but the
Legislature authorized 1t. and a fair aud
reasonable compensation should be made
whether II Is worthless or not. II is simply
to strike out the repealed portions and to
insert the amendments. 1t lie not to be
presumed that the members of the Legis-
ture, not being lawyers, should be judges
of such services, but there Is rule hy
which any good common-sense man NAV
ascertain their value.
Mr.. Paynter is Secretary Of State, and
receives for his services not less than
T. 81, 300 year. 1t is proposed to give him
for this paste and scissors" IS, 900. which
/, is y, 800 year more, making $1,000 a
year from the public crib. Neither the
r. office, or this work prevents him from OF
tendingto his practice, which may amount
perhaps to $500 year, he may say more
/ than that, then put It at one thousand fol
the purposes of Illustration and he makes
4 $4,000 year, three of which are from the
rnak1 10 4 1t l. Il. II.
upon an inexperienced man who could no
b.. exceed by his profession $500 a year
Ye; when a proposition is made TO pay
the Judges, who compose the most i'm
portant branch of the State Government
and who, of necessity, must be men o
! Incompatible ability and experience,
little more than half this sum il is sal
, they get enough, though It is utterly 10
sufficient to support them, and they ar
,e prohibited by law from holding stocks o
N riding free on railroads, and from reeeiyln
=. for themselves or families any favors fror
q any corporations, whilst legislators them
selves ride free.
- To this sum of three thousand dellar
ID to be paid for work done in the evening
Of about six months, all of which coul
ce have been done In three months for fiv
he hundred dollars or even less, may be adde
nd at least two thousand dollars more ft
printing, binding, &c, making a cost
he five thousand dollars TO the State for tbs
of which is really worth nothing, vet thos
re who make the money out Of il, woul
have the reople believe it will cost notl
e. ing. Such talk is idle, the books will NJ
m sell for enough to pay one-fourth of Il
to expense, 1t is not the law, and nobod
a will rely upon 1t, except those who will
most liable to be mislead by IL.
nt Now It Is for the members of the Legi
IN. lature, who are acting under the solemni
m. and responsibility of an oath, to c1nsid
a whether there is not manifestly great /
,O7 consistency and injustice somewhere, al
ed IS ior them 10 reconcile II 10 the
of constituency. KENT.