Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-02-02
MINE LEGISLATURE,
SENArE.
continued from first maze \

Intelligent oo1y Ike the Name Sen
ate to attempt to enlighten them. He
could state the facts as they existed.
and then safely leave the decis-
ion to his audience. The Superior Court OF
Cumberland county was Organized as an
assistant to clear up the business of the Su-
preme Judicial Court. In 1868. when it was
formed. the Supreme Court had on their docket.
in Cumberland county alone. over 1000 IN
finished cases. which it would have taken
them several years to clear up. The gentle
man who was desired to take the position said
that he would not accept the nomination un-
less the salary attached was the same as that
received by the Supreme Court judges and
the Jurisdiction the same. One year after the
court was esta5 lished. all the criminal bust
ness of the county was relegated TO it. Thus
the business was largely increased without
increasing the salary. When Judge Bonnev
was appointed, in 1873, he gave up lucra-
tive practice with the understanding that he
was 10 receive $500 annually for seven
yeas. The legislature of 1879 reduced the
salaries of all State and county officers, cut
ting down the salarie. of the judges of the
Supreme Court TO $500 and Judge Bonney' 3
salary 10 $1,000. Now, | ask, gentlemen. if
it isn't right that you should pay Judge Bon
ney what YOU agreed to pay him for his seven
years service: Who asks for this increase !?
Every man. regardless of party, who belongs
to the Cumberland bar. 1t is not just and
right to take any mans services and not
allow him fair compensation. Mr.. Nc
Laughlin here read a letter from Hon. VIM
l.. Putnam of Portland, a prominent demo
crAt, strongly advocating restoring the salary
to what it was formerly. The State Of Maine
owes Judge Bonney for arrears of services.
maj hat Ia a
sufficient salary. II is not, when you con-
slider the cost of living in Portland, where the
law says the Judge of the Superior Court
shall reside. In closing the speaker asked
his hearers to perform this simple act of
justice.
Mr.. Rust of Waldo:
As | said the other dav. | am somewhat
afraid to increase the salaries of officials. as
do not know how far it will extend. If
general increase of salaries is proposed, it
will involve augmen,ing the pay of the men,
beers of the House and Senate. Now the gen.
tleman argues that the State entered into a
contract with Judge Bonney for term of
wears, at specified sum per year. Let us
see where this proposition will lead. There
isn't an officer in the State whose salary was
reduced hut can ask for its restoration on
this ground, if it is a tenable one.
We shall do a great wrong if we increase
one salary without restoring all the rest
Prior to 1857 there were seven supreme JUS
tees in the State, each receiving salary of
$500 year, who did all the business.
Afterwards another judge was added, and
these eight men did all the work down to 1873.
Now we have ten judges to do the work that
was formerly done by seven. Ny Judgment
is that instead of increasing the salaries of
the judges of the two Superior Courts, we
ought to abolish both. Civil and criminal
business in the State is on the decrease,
rather than on the increase. |. am opposed
to this increase of salary. | think $1,000 a
year is enough. If Judge Bonney doesn't
wish to hold the office, he can resign: plenty
of men will be glad to fill the position for
$1,000. My point is right here, if we throw
down the bars and begin to increase salaries,
where will it end?
Mr.. Lebroke of Piscataquis denied that any
act of this legislature in increasing salaries
could be used as precedent for increasing
other salaries. We ought to act solely upon
the merit of the case. Public offices are the
property of the State, to be disposed of to
those who will serve the commonwealth most
efficiently. The speaker said that he did not
think legal business was declining in Cum
berland county. and called attention to the
large population and valuation of that county
as an index of the business which must come
before the court. Within the last quarter of
a century there has been a revolution in the
manners and customs of the American peo-
pie. We live in an age of electricity, of
wonderful progress. Law always expands to
keep pace with the age. Our reports are
filled with cases unknown to our ancestors.
The business coming before the law court for
adjudication is much greater than formerly,
and the strain upon the Hisi prias courts has
proportioually increased. The purchasing
power of money has declined, and the cost of
living is much greater than formerly. Mr..
Lebroke eloquently advocated restoring Judge
Bonneys salary to its former amount.
Mr.. Gushee of Knox:
We are asked to increase the salary of the
Judge Of Sup, rior Court of Cumberland
county BY whom? Has the call come up
from the people? Nothing of the kind, Mr..
President Who makes the call? The
lawyers of the State. We owe them much;
but nv impression is. that every lawyer
hopes and expects one day to attain to
position on the bench. Until some of the
heavy burdens of taxation are removed from
the people of Maine We should he very
cautious how we create new offices or increase
salaries of the present incumbents.
Mr. Mclaughlin of Cumberland:
The gentleman saws that no one has asked
for the restoration of this salary. | say that
the universal sentiment of Cumberland coun-
ty asks for it.
Mr. McAlistcr of Hancock
am not clear whether $1,000 is an ade-
ouate salary for the Judge of Superior Court
in Cumberland county. | am well aware
that my constituents expect me to vote against
an increase. If Judge Bonney is not salts
fed, he can resign at at any time. There are
men competent to fill the position who will
take the place for $1,000.
Mr. Lebroke of Fiscaiaquis:
The consideration winch has the most
weight with me is. that there seems to be a
general call from the business men of Cum
berland county to restore Judge Bonneys
salary The present judge is exceptionally
able and well qualified for his position, and
am in favor of granting him an adequate con-
pensatiOn.
Mr. Weeks of kennebec moved to amend
the s. cond section of the bill so that it will
read land the compensation of said judge
shall be restored. and be the same hereafter
as it was previous to the passage of the stat
ute aforesaid
The question was on indefinite postpone
ment.
On motion OF Mr.. Gushee of Knox, the vote
was taken bv yeas and nays, resulting in the
negative as follows:
YEA-Messrs Gushee, Marble, McAllister, Rust
and Taber.- 5.
NAY~Messrs. Bragdon. Clark, Coffin. Common