Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-12-04
salaries nr state omcers.

There appears to be a pretty general
sentiment among the more intelligent peo-
pie of the State in favor Of increasing the
salaries OF our public servants, especially
those Of the Governor, State House OH
GERS, and the Judges Of the Supreme and
Superior Courts. Bills for the purpose Of
increasing these salaries are introduced
at every session Of the General Assembly,
but they have Invariably failed TO pass, i
as twO-thirds vote Of 10th houses is re-
quired, and me salaries remain at the
limits fixed by the constitution Of 1871.
The salaries paid Dy the State Of Geor-
gia are by no means munifcent, in fact
they are so low that officers who have no
other income, are forced to exercise con-
siderable economy to live within their
means.
The principal argument advanced by
those who urge the increase Of salaries
is that men who are properly quail
ned often hesitate TO accept Ofnces
on account of the small compensation IN
comparison with the great responsibilities
and actual hard work which devolve on
the incumbents. While there is doubt
less much truth in this assertion, it Is
nevertheless true that the men who
have filed these positions in
Georgia since the adoption of the
constitution, and who fill them now Will
compare fayorably with those Of any other
State in the Union. In fixing the salaries
of public officers the attaining of happy
medium should be the object Of the Gen.
! eral Assembly. The salaries should not
| be so high as to occasion a scramble for
/ official preferment, or so low as to tend to
| deprive the officers of their independence
and self-respect.
The salaries now paid by Georgia bors
der on the latter extreme, and yet the de-
! cline in the cost Of living since the sala-
ries were fixed at the present figures IS
practically equivalent to an increase Of 10
TO 10 per cent. in the compensation OF our
state officials.
The advisabiIity and safety of increas-
ing the salaries named cannot be doubted,
| and such increase ought to be provided
for bv law as soon as tie financial cOndi-
| ton Of the state will permit. The Gov
ernor now receives a salary Of $4,000. His
salary ought not TO be less than $4,000.
I
Their duties are very labOriOus, and as
they are compelled to be at Atlanta more
that three-fourths Of the year, $500 would
not be too much for them to receive. Per
/ haps the salaries of the Superior Court
Judges $4,000 year, are lower, when
the character Of the men and the services
/ rendered are considered, than those
Of any other judicial officers. They
should be paid at least $500. The sala-
ries of the state house officers-Treasu-
rer. Secretary Of state, Comptroller Gen.
eral. etc. $4,000 ought also to be in
creased as early as practicable.
The first thing that is demanded of the
/ General Assembly, however, is the in
crease Of the receipts of the Treasury.
This must be provided for as much as
possible by the enactment and enforce
I ment Of law for the full and fair assess
ment Of taxable property. An increase
in the rate OF taxation under the present
system for any purpose will not have the
| Endorsement Of the honest taxpayers Of
GeOrria