The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1881-04-15
The NORRIS PAY BILL.

The bill of Senator Norris to rcgu-
late the pay of members of the Leg
islature, has passed the Senate and
been sent to the House of Representa-
tives. In its original form it fixed the
salary of each member, at n regular ses
sion of not exceeding one hundred days,
at $1,000; for regular session exceed
ing one hundred days, $1,000; and for
an extra session, $1,000. Upon second
reading, the bill was amended so as to
provide a salary of $1,000 for regular
sessions, (without regard to their lengthy
and of $1,000 for extra sessions, except
extra sessions convened to elect Uni
ted States Senator, when the amount was
to be 5000. On its final passage in the
Senate, the bill was again amended by
striking out all that part which related
TO pay at regular sessions. As sent to
the House, therefore, it simply fixes sal
aries at extra sessions at $1,000, with
an exception of special Senatorial-elec-
ton sessions. No reasonable conjecture
can be formed as to the action OF the
House of Representatives upon this bill,
for that House is not in condition or
temper to consider the subject OF sala-
ries dspassionately or discreetly But
an opinion can be formed and expressed
by any disinterested observer, upon the
merits of the bill, and regarding the
form which it should be made to assume.
As permanent and uniform regulation
for extra or called sessions, an allowance
to members Of $1,000 is extravagant
and prohigate. The exception made in
the bill, of extra sessions called by the
Governor to elect U. 5. Senator, IL
illustrates the unreasonable and objection
able character of the general provision to
which it is an exception. Such sessions
NAV last but two or three days, and only
in very rare and exceptional cases could
they extend beyond single week; but
most of other extra sessions must, like
wise, be of brief duration. Since the
year 1900 several extra sessions have
been called by the Governor, not one OF
which has lasted 80 days,and their aver
age duration has been about II. The
war sessions specially called by Govern
or Curtin in 1861 and 1864, had each a
duration of seventeen days; the relief
session of 1857 lasted but eight days,an
the loan session of 1929 which was the
longest of all, but twenty-eight days
Upon our practical experience, OF extra
sessions, it is therefore quite plain, that
a uniform rate of salary for extra ses-
sions, fixed at $500 dollars with mileage,
would be a most liberal one, and should
satisfy any reasonable expectation OF
members.
tits true that under the new Constitu-
ton, an exceptional case will arise every
tenth year, Immediately following de-
cennial census of the United States, for
which perhaps special provision should
be made. Following each census, no
less than three important and difficult
apportionment bills are to be passed, the
consideration of which will consume
much more time than ordinary bills. "A
congressional, judicial and legisla-
tive apportionment of the State, involv-
ing many political, local and individual
interests, will clearly distinguish any ses-
sion in which they are to be acted upon,
from all ordinary sessions. 1t would not,
therefore, be unreasonable TO provide in
pay bill, that in a year following any
decennial census, the salary OF members
at a regular session, when such bills
shall be passed, shall be $500 above the
usual rate. For the present year this
cannot be done, as the members cannot
increase their salaries, but temporary
provision might be made for $500 to
members at the first extra session con
cened by the Governor, in other
words for the unavoidable, or at least
certain session to be convened next win
ter As matters now stand, this would
not be objected to if the arrangement OF
salaries for the future--the permanent sys
TEN of pay--were put and left in proper
and reliable form. That form would be
$1,000 for regular sessions with an in
creased sum in decennial apportionment
years;and for extra or called sessions, $500
for the first and $500 for all others ex-
cept those to choose Senator when 500
should be allowed. Under these rates
an ordinary, regular session, including
pay of officers and contingencies, would
cost the State 100000, and an Ordina-
ry extra session 100000.