The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1877-05-31
Editorial Correspondence.

close, and business is being disposed
of rapidly. The "new" members are
just getting their hands, in; they, have
learned the rulos of the House and
the parliamentary usages governing
it. Hence they are notso frequently
on the floor asking for information
and raising points Of ordor, thereby
delaying the progress of business. The
body IS now in first rate working
ordcr, and business goes on more
rapidly and smoothly.
Tho SonoLo Oh Tuesday departed
1rom ILs customary rule, and placed
tho appropriation bill on its calendar
without reference to its finance CONS
mittoe. This, [ consider, throws us
at east five days nearer an. adjourn>
mont. 1T was rumorcdn that Nash,
who is chairman of that committee,
bad Expressed the determination to
retain tho bill in his possession at least
five days before consenting TO q re-
port. This course had boon determined
upon by him for the purpose of Gas he
hopcd) influencing the Democrats to
consent to an increase of the appro-
priation for pay Of members, and also
to pay tho Professors of thn Univnr>
sity back rations, etc. Tho action Of
the Senate was flank movement on
tho old sinner, and his littlo scheme
was "knockcd higher than kito."-
Tho salary question is creating good
deal Of discussion amongst the mom-
bers, and there seems to be diversity
of opinion amongst them as to what
the amount should be. The Senators
now have pay certificates to the
amount of $500 in their pockets, and
majority of them (the Republicans)
claim that they are entitled to six
hundred dollars and mileage for eacl,
session, making an aggrogatu Of over
lwcVc hundred dollars. Undur the
law fixing the pay Of members, they
are ontiCloQ to Lnjs amount, but Iho
Democrats arc ,ljtcdIy opposed 20 IT.,
and intend 20 reduce the umonul as
low ~ VII DO just and equitable. The
members Of the Wallace House last
winter received one hundred dollars
each, while those of tho Mackey House
received two hundred dollars each,
which it is said was paid them by
Corbin, out OF the phosphate royalty
for their votes for him to the United
States Senate. Of course the amount
received by each member of either
House will be deducted from the
amount finally fixed upon. Gleaves
as President of the Senate, before
Simpson was sworn in, and when his
title was Questioned, issued pay
certificates to the Senators to the
amount of $500 each. Some of tho Do
mocratio members, however, refused
to receive them, but majority Gid
receive them, and they have become
vested right, which can not be taken
from them. Lieut.. Gov. Simpson has
issued pay certificates for this session
TO the amount of two hundred dollars
to each Senator, making an aggregate
OF $500 in certificates held by each of
them. Tho members Of the House
have received no pay certificates for
the present session, nor will they
until tho amount is fixed by the two
Houses. The condition in which we
"ro placed on the this salary question
will aI once be seen. The Republican
majority in the Senate will doubtless
oentond Tor the full pay for both Sos
sions' and will wranglo over the ap>
preparation bill u long time before
they give it up. But the Democrats
will nevor consent to allow them fnlI
pay for both sessions. They NAV
agree to $500 for both sessions. hnt
will not consent to anything above
that amount I have boon o little
tedious, perhaps, in giving tho status
OF the salary question, but have dono
so simply iu order that the readers of
the SENTINEL may understand how
tho question stands. No amount has
positively been fixed upon yet, and
oil the hue and cry raised by the News
and Courier, and re-echoed bv somo