The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1877-06-14
DEBATE AS TO THEIR PAY.


We gave last week the debate which
took place in the Senate over the
House resolution to fix the pay of
members of the Legislature at s500.O0,
and that debate resulted in the Senate
fixing the amount at s800.0O. We now
give the debate which occurred in the
House upon the question of agreeing to
the Senate's amendment:
Mr.. Callison, of Edge6eld, and Mr.
Hamilton, of Beaufort, occupied the at
tention of the House with debate upon
the value of a modern legislator for half
an hour, the former estimating the real
value of frst-class South Carolina
statesman at fifty cents per day, while
Mr.. Hamilton disagreed with him, put
ting the value at Sc per diem, to the gen
eral satisfaction of the House, and par
ticularly that portion who favor payment
for extra session.
Mr.. Connor-The less we discuss the
subject of pay to members the better for
us. The people all over the State are
beginning to come to the conclusion that
the chief aim of our legislation is to pro-
vide for the pay of members of the Gen.
eral Assembly. This question must be
settled by conference committee, be.
cause the two branches of the General
Assembly differ as to what is proper. 1t
needs no appeal to this House to con-
vince its members that we should not
agree to the Senate amendment. What
has already been agreed upon by this
House is too much, but I don't know that
it can be amended. We have been ad-
vocating Observation-Disclosures
have practiced it severely as far as county
officers all over the State are concerned,
and we have just refused to pay the
solicitors, while in attendance on the
General Assembly, more than S. per day,
and now we claim for ourselves about 50
per day. 1t is inconsistent with our ac-
tion with reference to other officers, and
inconsistent with all our professions
during the late political canvass, and [
hope it will be reduced below $500 by
the committee of conference to be ap-
pointed.
Mr.. Orr spoke in defense of the Senate
amendment to give the House $500 and
mileage of 20 cents for both of the ses-
sions, except the Mackeyites, who were
to receive 5000 and mileage.
Mr.. Bradley, of Abbevillc, thought
that $400 and mileage was a plenty for
both sessions, and made a strong speech
in defense of his position. He was glad
that the newspaper reporters, who were
a power in the land, were present, and
he hoped they would send abroad the
words and actions of this House, and let
the constituents of the members know
how they stood upon this salary ques-
ton.
Mr.. Werner, of Oconee, favored $500
for both sessions.
MIR. Hemphill, of Chester, thought s6
per day fair compensation.
Mr.. AndreWs-I amt in favor of no
salary grab. There is men here that
can identify to the fact that me and the
gentleman from Lexington has always
been doing all the fighting against high
salaries. I don't ask you to give me one
cent for last session. I am not to blame
for it. I WAS recognized by the legal
Senate. When the Senate come l bowed
submission to this House. But [ ask,
gentlemen, if their services for last ses-
sion of twenty-nine days is worth any
more than ours this session of forty
days? I am poor man, but have a
pride in me for conscience, fidelity and
Justice. I ask the majority to do justice
to the minority, so that we may 60 home
and join hand in hand and be one peo.
pie. But if any injustice is done me |
will be compelled to preach it on the val
lev and the hill top. Now, let US come
down fine point. Take the number
of days you served. But don't you take
$4OO for tweuty-four days last session and
only give us 5000 for forty day. The
Senate is responsible for me standing
here. fit had not been for the Senate,
I would have been with you before
Christmas.
Mr.. Curtis opposed the amendment.
He would rather get nothing than vote
for the amendment of the gentleman
from Anderson.
Mr.. Orr offered modification of his
amendment, which gave the h[ackeyites
$500 and 10 cents mileage, instead OF
5000 and 20 cents mileage.
Mr.. r. R. Hemphill said that the news
paper reporters had taken great deal of
interest in the pay of the members, and
yet they each did not pay more than
thirty-fve cents taxes. This amount, di-
vided amongst 125 members and attach
ees, would leave a fraction of cent to
be paid by each reporter. And then he
made pathetic appeal to the generosity
of those who paid thirty-fve cents taxes
to give the members a fraction of cent
each.
MI. CAN'T, of Beaufort, made an appeal
for $500.
Mr.. Miller, of Beaufort, wanted full
pay with the other members.
Mi. Hamilton, of Beaufort, favored
taking $500 for the last session and 5000
for the extra session; but if majority
of the House opposed the extra session
pay, of course he would have to submit,
and would do so cheerfully.
Alter lengthy QeDaCe, Gne VOle peiHS
taken upon the Senate amendment, the
House refused to concur in the same, and
the bill, together with the amendments,
was returned to the Senate.
On the following day Mr.. Orr offered
resolution that it is the sense of this
House on the above bill, as far as said
bill relates to the pay of members, that
those members who served at the regular
session are entitled to 5000, less what
they have already received, and to those
who have served at the extra session $4OO
and one mileage, and that the report of
the committee of conference is adopted
with this understanding.
Mr.. Minort opposed the resolution,
and Messrs. Andrews and Humbert, COL
ored favored it.