Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-01-26
MEMPHIS APPEAL
FRIDAY. JANUARY 26, 1888
A CHEAP JUDICIARY.


The people are weary of the load of taxa
ton and are clamoring for relief. The Con-
gress Of the United States bas heard the
muttering thunder, and for the first time in
twenty years has shown a disposition 10
Tighten the burdens of the people. If the
Republican party, with its record of exlrav-
agance and profigate waste Of the peoples
money, manifest such eagerness to curtail
public expenses, a radical reform may be
expected go soon as the Democrats succeed to
power. There is also a general demand for
retrenchment in the administration OF State,
county and municipal governments. The
people are impressed with the belief that
there are too many officials receiving large
salaries for little labor. One extreme begets
another, and it is evident that there will be
n swing from extreme recklessness to extreme
economy. In applying the pruHipg knife to
the salaries OF officials, our Legislature
should not only look TO reform. but en-
deavor TO equalize the compensation.
There is very lgreat unfsirness and
injustice in the salaries paid officials. Some
Offices enrich the incumbents. while the Su-
preme Court judges OF cur State, whose
duties are responsible, constant and labori-
GUS, are paid less than the fees received by
many OF The district magistrates. One Of
the State senators from this county, the Hon.
J. s. Galloway, who has already taken high
rank in the Legislature as wise, safe and
useful legislator, introduced bill on Mon
day last "torepeal the act reducing the COM
pensation Of Supreme Court Judges, and
fixing their salaries :as they were prior to
1879" This bill is just and proper. The
salary now paid our Supreme Court judges
is niggardly in its parsimony. The proposed
increase'wilL furnish these high officials a
bare subsistence. The Supreme Court of
Tennessee is composed OF The ablest legal
talent .ofothe State, and the compensation
should-ss equal to that paid inferior Offices
filed by inferior men. An eminent states
man has said: !""The most expensive luxury
people can enjoy is a cheap judiciary"
Discussing the late bill introduced in the
Alabama Legislature to increase the salaries
Of judges and ebsucellors, the Montgomery
AdUersisxrs ss5Ys:
The action Of the Senate yesterday in in
creasing the salaries of the judges Of the Su-
preme and Circuit courts and chancellors
will remiye the indorsement OF the majority
of the pasfis Of fhe State. And the House
of Reptese ntsti yes viii but reflect the will Of
their eohstituentsif they pass the bills for
the increase by majority in proportion to
that of the Senate. The increase gives to
these faithfnl and hard-worked officials a
living salary and in doing so the Senate has,
as the House no doubt will do, but done
them an act of Justice. The time has been
when it was necessary TO keep the expenses
OF the State reduced TO the lowest practicable
minimum. 70 do 40 economy was practiced
that was even niggardly, but the evident and
multiplying signs Of returning prosperity on
all sides vindicates the economical policy
that has been 90 strictly observed. II shows
also that with this returning and increasing
prosperity has arrived the time when justice
should be done. the judges and chancellors,
and that the State can now afford to do it.
As was observed by Mr.. Brooks, OF Mobile, and
by other senators who Endorsed his view, while
the salaries should not be such as to tempt
the cupidiiy OF men, they should be such as
10 command the best talent for these high
positions. Bot it is hardly necessary, nor
did we intend TO argue proposition go
clearly just and proper; and che House will,
no doubt, ratify the action OF the Senate by
handsome majority.
These comments apply with equal force
10 the situation in Tennessee. The "cu-
pidity" Of men is generally inspired by a
desire to secure a competent support free
from labor in old age, and we do not under
stand why Supreme Court judge should be
denied the privilege of cherishing the same
sort of Stupidity The salary of Su-
preme Court judge should be sufficient tc
give him margin for saving something fol
"a rainy day" just ss other prudent men hus
band something for the same prudential
reasons. II is usjuet-sheer demagoguery
to pay our Supreme Court judges a sum d
money less than is made by the "shystsr.'
The little mite saved by pinching our Su
preme Court judges is misplaced economy
and great hardship on men eager to return
TO active practice at the bar, but having
saved nothing are unwilling to subject them
selves to .inconysnience until they regain
their lost practice. A Supreme Court iudg
is forced to abandon all other pursuits ant
TO be alone the priest Of justice. In the dis
charge of these great duties, il be cannot b
paid salary commensurate with his abili
ties and labor, he should receive decen
compensation, and it is to he hoped The bill
introduced by Senator Galloway, from thi
county, will bscome alaw. 10y