Delaware state journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1870-1883, 1881-01-06
LkGIsUATITB SALARIES.

LA0tb tAJIV q 6dLAhlhS.
"Ci,inenO Examines sundrv Chnrres
Alleged Against the Dover saxes
and Urges ~ . Remedy an In-
crease in Thsir ray. 3
Editor Eosry Essning.: I saw in the
Dslooaredn recently two articles, one by
IAN EI-Member,' and one by "Retrenoh-
ment," both treating upon the same sub-
ject--that of the misdoipgs of the Legis-
lature of this State, and attributing its
faults to the insufficient pay of that body.
The misdoing, as cited by these two
| writer's, are the receipt of FREQ tickets
from the railroad company; taking
pay for time not spent In session,
including Sundays; taking board by
members of the present Legislature by
the day rather than by the week or month
the frequent returning to their homes to
attend to private business, and by 80
| doing absentiDg themselves from the
Capital. and thus not being on hand to
serve on committees nights and mornings,
when not in regular session.
These are the several counts contained
In these charges, of which some are grave
and others are only ridiculous, as we view
them. One of the most ridiculous is, how
member of the present Legislature shall
engage board whether by the day, week
or month Another is only less 30, that
of requiring members to remain In Dover
over night, that they may be there to do
committee duty night and morning, when
not in regular session. We opine that
Eek. Member" who made the last named
objection 10 reference to members board
ing, Is now In the boarding house business
In Dover.
And as to the Assembly's sitting four
days In the week and taking pay for six
days. We have no doubt this is defensi-
BILE on the ground of want of business at
the commencement OF the session. II
there were sufficient business to keep
them busy the members would willingly
remain and work the siI days, for which
they receive pay, as they always do at the
middle Of, and toward the close of the
session. And this accounts for the long
sessions Of the Legislature, the people
wait half the usual time for session of
the Legislature, before they send In their
business. In this case, which is the better
plan, for the members, to ''sit idly BY"
burning fuel, lights, 30, the full six days,
or to adjourn when not employed and stop
at least these incidental expenses
As to pay for Sunday, work or not work,
We make no defense for it, We now turn
to the gravest charge of all, that of
receiving free passes from the railroad
company during the session Of the Legis-
lature, to pass TO and from their homes at
pleasure, without expense for travel Is
this usage, as 1t has now obtained, defen-
sible or not We answer, II 1t is given
by the donor grstuitously, and so received
by the members of the Legislature as o
gift not to be reciprooated by any favors
from them in their official capacities it ia
We hold to the opinion that free gifts may
be made even to officials out OF respect
for the individuals themselves, or out of
respect for, and Ia honor of their official
position, or to aid those In need of help
ing hand, because of small pay, and that
such gifts may be so accepted by the
recipient without faint of purpose on
either the part of the the giver or receiver.
We hold, too, that any gift, large or
small, made TO officials of any class or
character, for the purpose of controlling in
the slightest degree their action favorably
to the giver or to the prejudice of others
and 80 received by an official, IL but cor
rupting bribery, indefensible and repre-.
hensible, and should be 90 treated by all
prudent persons. Hence, 1t is more
prudent, that our good may not be evi,
spoken Of, our motives be not impugned,
however well meant they may be, in order
that we may avoid "even the Appearance
of evil" to kindly refuse all offers OF
gifts from any source while in oilicai
position.
The primary cause of the evils referred
to by IAN ex-Membern aud also by
"Retrenchment," is the small pay received
by members OF the General Assembly of
this State. The pay is small indeed when
the sum is considered, and smaller yet
when contrssted with the pay received by
members of like assemblies in other states.
1t Ia less than one third OF the amount
paid an assembly-man In Pennsylvania or
Maryland, our sister states, and less than
one half the amount paid by any other
state in the Union for like services. WHY
is this? Is this State (having less debt
than any other state in the Union, not
able to pay her Legislature half as much
at least, az those states we have above
cited Say $500 per member for term
OF two years, or even as "Retrenehment
puts 1t 50 per day for each day in session
| any way at all to meet the case, and
| 'So'e tho shBlna VI ulthnDtsh III tNe
pay of this honorable body.
Let us,then, say by petition or by other
means, raise the pay for yourselves and
others that may follow you in office to a
Just compensation, such al shall be sufh.
Gent to command the best talent of our
State In your position, without pecuniary
loss to such, and that will compensate the
poor man with brains, when in the posi-
ton, without the humiliation of the accept
ance OF pay from any other source, to aic
him in paying his way and supporting hi,
family while in the service of his State OF
resorting to doubtful means to this end.
May the present Legislature do this JUS
thing for themselves and Others withou
mourning our sore displeasure aud beinl
called by us SALARY Grsbbers 2"
A FELLow-oITI..EN
December 2S, 1880.