The Hartford herald. [volume] (Hartford, Ky.) 1875-1926, 1880-02-11
Soics From thcCnpi.oi.
FRANKFORT, KY, Feb. 3r,

FRANKFORT, kN., Fcb. SRI.
Editor Herald:
The salary bill, which was made the
special order for last Wednesday, in the
House of Representatives, finally
passed the House on Thursday evening
10y IA vote of yeas 20, nays 20. Ii is
passingly strange how the patriotism Of
some State officials has been aroused
in consequence of this bill. Since the
bill was first reported, they have been
seriously discussing the probable effect
of the passage of such measure
Many, and serious, have been the pre-
dictions in regard 10 the future of the
Commonwealth, when all the offices
would be vacant, and none would be
found $50 poor as TO do them rever-
ence." In fact, one would have judged
from the faces of some of the nldrtyTs
that starvation was already making its
appearance within the gates of the Cap
itol. Even from the little town of Lou
isville the voice of mourning is heard,
and Il petition is hurried up con the
wings of the morning." praying Ken
tucky's Legislators TO spare the Judicial
ry-the guardian of our liberties.
Amendment after amendment was
piled up on the clerks desk. But the
handwriting was upon the wall" and
they were destined TO go down. The
bill rs reported by the Committee on
Retrenchment and Reform, was finally
passed, with only one amendment, re-
storing the Salary of the Librarian to
II 900, the present salary. When the
proposition was made some time since.
To reduce the pay of Jurors and Justices
of the Peace, those who have so earnest
ly opposed the reduction of the salaries
of State officers, Were the first then to
cry out for "retrenchment." Truly,
consistency is jewell The cause
which existed, and which was urged as
a reason for the increase of salaries has
passed away. War prices have van
ished, money has become stable, and its
purchasing power more than doubled,
therefore ii is "A matter of justice as well
as matter of policy with this Legi,la-
ture To reduce expenses, Il thing which
will inspire the people with confidence,
disahuse their minds of the idea of u
moniCd aristocracy, and check the
growing mania for office seeking and
Ofiiee-hOlding. Ii was well remarked
on the floor Of the House, by Capt. Al
len, of Caldwell county, that high "sal-
aries tend to high living, and high liv-
ing To corruption, and corruption to
RUM
y bill is now pending to reduce the
per diem and mileage of the members
of the Legislature.
The joint committee on education, in
connection with the Superintendent,
have been revising the school law, and
have agreed to some changes, among
them, a change of the school years from
10 20 Years of age, rs now, TOT to Is
Years. These, we regard rs of doubtful
propriety.
a bill is pending to repeal what is
known rs the Turner Pistol Law"
which prohibits peace officers from car
rying concealed weapons.
n bill has passed the Senate repeal
ing the "Iron-clad oath"
Memorialsjand petitions have come
from the Green River counties, asking
the General Assembly to repeal the act
of March 1868, loaning the Green and
Barren River improvements TO a corpo-
ration. This, we think, would he Il
righteous act. The people along the
river have been deprived of the advan-
tage of one of Natures best gifts, and
placed at the feet OF soulless corpora
ton, and that without any considera-
ton, The best river in the State, inn
proved at an expense of SSO0,0O0 of the
peoples money, was simply placed in
the hands of company, without any
remuneration.
The gentleman from Clay"-Mr
Whites still making himself cOnspic-
uous and ridiculous by reason of his po-
litical harangues. The other IL Repub-
lican members are reasonable and
courteous, and have been highly COM
plimented by. Democrats on the floor
for their courtesy and for their refusal
to engage i'm the harangues of the gen
tleman from CLAW"
Hon. l. n. Boone. from Clark coun-
ty, is the tallest member of the House,
rising q feet inches. He is great
grandson of the illustrious pioneer,
| Daniel Boone, and never drank drop
of whisky, used tobacco, nor swore an
oath in his life.
Mr.. McDermot is the baby of the
House, i'll size and appearance, though
in debate he compares f;ivorably with
the sages of the Assembly.
This General Assembly seems to be
inclined to work, and il is said that
there is less drunkenness INDUCED in 10y
members than usual.
Frankfort has many visitors, some
lobbying for special legislation, and
many attending hops and levees which
of course, are only intendedtO rindicdtC
and perpetudte the dignity of this glo-
rious commonwealth. This your cor
respondent would suggest as an addi-
tional reason for high salaries which
has not been urged by the State OIL
cials, and others. OBSERVER.