The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1882-11-03
The Judges Salary AIiendment.

From the Kalamazoo Telegraph.
The proposition to amend the constitution
of Michigan by increasing the salary of cir
cult judges from 81, 800 to $2,50O is to be
voted on Nov. 7th. The chief danger is that
will be either ignored or thoughtlessy voted
against. The only important objection so
far urged against the amendment is that the
management OF the public business in the
courts is not satisfactory; that it is too often
loosely conducted or influenced by consider
ations affecting the emoluments of the attor-
neys and not for the dispatch of their clients
business When such state of affairs ia
allowed to exist it necessarily renders the use
of the law so expensive and inefficient that it
is avoided wherever possible. The disagree
able fact that this condition does sometimes
grow up is alleged as reason why the court
should not be treated in a more liberal man.
ner The argument is-let the courts re-
form this business, and then they will de-
serve better treatment in the salary question.
This is just where the public interest is set
wrong end to-" The inefficiency of the
courts, where they are inefficient, is directly
caused by the poor pay of the circuit judges.
Their salary of 81 800 annually is cut into
by the large travelling and living expenses
consequent on their being away from home
and incidentally by the mode of living which,
their social position enforces on them. Their
net income for family and personal outgoes~
and for keeping abreast of their business, is
inadequate. Good talent can do better in
private professional engagements and the
business of the public, as rule, drifts into
the hands of inferior men. Inferior men
give us inferior management. The people
of this circuit are just now experiencing the
profit of having a thoroughly competent
court, but our experience is exceptional.
The public interests oftentimes have to con-
tend against private interests employing the
very best services, and are more than liable
to be worsted in such cases. The remedy is
simple, for the public is better able than any
one else to have the use of the most COM
petent services, if it only will. A good judge
is vastly cheaper for public ends than an in
ferior man. Therefore, if the people of
Michigan will stop to see the reach of their,
action in this case, treat it as O business
proposition and question of getting the
most for their money, they will adopt the
amendment by large majority. a
We get some excellent men on the bench
under the existing plan, it is true, and young
members of the bar who have the elements
of coming distinction can perhaps afford to
accept position on the bench for the stand
ing thus obtained. But there is always more
or less uncertainty about keeping them
through their term, and the same in the case
of any other superior judge.
The administration of the courts ought to
have the best character, the best ability and
the best business capacity. The proposed
change of judges salaries from $1,500 to
$1,000 is in the interest of more vigorous,
more economical management of the bust
ness of litigation. It more than doubles the
net income of the Judge, although adding
but 81 per cent 10 the public expense.
This State has more judicial districts than
are actually necessary. With courts man
aged by able men, who have capacity for dis
patching business, we could get along with
less circuits and less judges, and the increased
salary would thus be partially saved. But
better judges Michigan must have. The de-
mand for more efficient courts is peremptory
and the amendment ought TO be adopted
without opposition.