New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-03-13

sion Dir. Hayes Free Canal Anlehun"h. ""' ''
cussed The Senate engaged, dav and evening"
on the trial of Superintendent Smyth.
LEGISLATIVE SALARIES.
A RESOLUTION PROPOSING A CONSTITUTIONAL
AMENDMENT, REDUCING SALARIES OF MEMBERS
OF TIE LEGISLATURES, ORDERED TO a THIRD
READING IN TIE AsSEMBGY-POsITioS OF THE
woRKINGMEN
,rpou THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE.l
ALBANY, March 12.-" Reduction OF official
salaries is now a popular cry II is therefore, not
arrange that the Legislature should he invited 10 apply
the same doctrine TO It's members Mr. Willers
formerly Secretary Of State, and now member OF the
Assembly some time ago introduced resolution pro-
posing an amendment 10 the Constitution providing Tor
reduction " the salaries OF members OF the Legislature
from 81 800 10 $3.50 yearly over this amendment herc
was very interesting ana animated debate in the AS
sembly today. Sngularly enough, the member
best able 10 submit to Such reduction OF
salary CIR Astor OF New-Iori0 acted % chairman OF
the Committee OF the Whole, in which ;he resolution
was debated aud subsequently. in the Assembly No'eu
against IT, Early in the debate NJ. A!yord moved as an
amendment that the salary be placed at $1,000 instead
of $3.50. The amendment was adopted, hut prop"oF
won over only few of those who intended to oppose
the bill
One of the most interesting features Of tOdays debate
was the statement OF two members OF the Work
ingmens party that they were opposed to any
reduction OF snaros the Legislature. This statement
was heard with establishment by the Assembly II having
been deemed Just compliment when Mr.. Skinner
praised the WOrkn gmen's party AZ Utica FOR eecng
Mayor on the issue of economical administration
OF the city government Mr.. Fish haunted Mr.. Alyord
with changing front since last year the
same question, ana inquired whether the latter
was not in favor of reducing salaries Of members OF the
Legislature, because the Supervisors OF OnondaSa
County had passed resolution to that effect MI Al
word replied YES my Board of Supervisors said that
NJ pm IN
sent TO the Legislature the wages ought 10 ho reduced
Mr. Fish, danted BY this attack, argued AT length
that the efficiency of the Legislature has been greatly
increased by raising the pay Of members lie also dc
cared that comparing the moral tone OF the present Leg
stature with that of 1874. the frs he attended the
present Legislature far higher plane Honest
members were subjected to great temptation when the
salary was only $500. Mr.. Hepburn argued
that honesty could not he bought or gagged by
the amount of salary. The salary ought. indeed
10 have been increased from $500 but not 10 $1,000 In
his op!nion 81 900 was enough. Mr.. l. l. Hayes said
that there was no demand for reduction OF the wages
Of members OF the Legislature, and that he believed
that tbsRFouton was mere hunc1mbe. Mr. SKINNER,
in reply 8nted ont that several members had declared
that their constituents asked for such reduction
When the reduction made, the people OF the
State did not thoroughly understand that they were
raising the wages of their servants They ought TO have
chance tsInake another decision the question: The
people demand economy and the reason that working
mems parties succeeding well in this state as
they do ut Utica, in electing mayor the other day,
WAS that they demand reduction of the salaries OF
employes This reference to the workiugmen brought
both Mr. Mapes OF Rochester NJ. Beard Of Elmra, and
MT Jones, Of Utica. who represent woIkingmens ass0-
ciaops 70 their feet Mr. Mares said that hcworking
MT in favor OF reducing an bono SiandiEd
If Mr. Boards speech was So signicant 81 the
purpose OF the Workngmcn's party that 1t
is given in full did not expect When came TO thl.
Legislature, that woul1 he called uVOn 20 empty out
the principle OF new party. As representative Of
son (Mr. skinner that ne mas misstttcd tne pI"po
That party does not want any man paid less
for his than he ucuaiy deserves One Of The
bottom principles of that party is that the la3orer is
worthy OF his hire, and that every man holding
an office the State or the United States
With dignity; and they claim the same on all
grades from the highest Office down. In my county
my party which IS large enough to squclch both
rapidly aunhiiating the other-they do not say word
about reducing these salaries They do not want It,
IL Is ercnt deal altogether. 1t Is not deal on sal
aries They believe that men should be PAID LOT thc
Me- Wlers-Does no; one of the panls Of the platform
adopted nv your party at Toledo emOody the principle
Mr. Brsri-There Is no plank in the platform Of orr
PARTY which says, Reduce wages below dcccncy nor
below living rate and no man can to this city
and i've $1,000 during the session Of the Legislature,
and live dcccmtiy and respectfully. .,....,
Mr. Joncs-I think that Mr.. skinner has mSunderstood
the tate OF feeling the CITY Utica think under
stand the feeling Of the party tWorkinsnensl which
substantially elected me TO The Assembly; T Iha,
was not the issue at an. The Issue , is iaat
They never proposed 10 reduce pay of gentlemen in
this Assembly, anywhere else. They want more them
selves. That's what the matter ia; ILaughicr;l Ny
partner aud ms sOn-nlaw in the Board of super
conversation with him this subject, FOR the
Sry Of the district Attorney, and It yas
reduce searcs" Now the working people Of ths country
want bigger pay, and that's all there is about IT.
Tie resolution was ordered 10 third reading by
OF So TO 81.