The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1886-01-27
Senator Burkitt on Absenteelsm

Senator Burkitt introduced the fol-
lowing bill on 10th inst:
An act entitled, On act to make de |
auctions in the salary of members of |
the Legislature in certain cases.
That whereas, it is too common for |
members of the Legislature to absent
themselves from their seats, not only for
days, but often Tor weeks during the
sitting Of the Legislature, seeing after
their private business, and then draw
their full salary: Therefore,
SECTION /. Be it enacted by the Leg
stature of Mississippi, that hereafter,
there shall be a deduction made OF five
dollars per day out of the salary OF any
member of the house or Senate, who
shall be absent from his seat at any
time during the sitting of either house,
unless he is prevented from being
present by sickness of himself or family,
| highwater, railroad accident or other
unavoidable cause, and that each mem
| Der of either house, shall be required to
| sign a certificate upon honor before the
clerk of the house of which he is a
member, the number of days thus alb
sent, (if any, and deduction shall be
made out of his salary by said clerk as
required by this act
The Committee to whom the bill was
referred reported adversely to its passage,
and when the bill came up on its third
reading, a motion was made and carried
to indefinitely postpone it, which was
afterwards reconsidered and it was re-
ferred to a select committee of three, OF
which Senator Burkitt is chairman.
This has been a long cherished principle
with the General, and when it was
attacked in the Senate he came to the
rescue with his wonted yigOr and
earnestness. He defended the bill on
principle. He said that when an officer
is elected to serve the people in any
capacity they are expected and required
to give their whole time, attention anc
energies to the discharge of the duties
incumbent on him by virtue of the trus
imposed? And he asked why shoulC
members of the Legislature be made
r. exceptions to this rule? Are they entitled
P to more privileges and exemption
, from duty than any other class o
public servants who are elected II
{ serve the people? Have they any RICH
= to neglect the public duties entrusted
e to them by their constituents, for thei
E own private affairs or for their persona
pleasure? If they do, said he, in thu
name of ali that is just and honorable
have they the moral right to secure pa!
, for work not performed, but which the!
e may have wilfully and flagrantly ne
elected? He said that in his advocacy
= of this measure he was not inspired Of
e ured by any hopes of political prefer
ment, for his political career would soor
close, and when it does close. and wher
he should be laid to rest in the silent
+ tomb, he wished to be able to leave be
5 hind him a record pure and unsullied
so that his public life and private
character can be pointed to as a fiji
j example to all who may survive him
This, said he, is one of the highest
f aims of his life and its accomplishment
= will prompt his every action and inspire
D him TO duty. He meant DO reflection
e upon Senators and Representatives by
the introduction of this bill, but claimed
e that he was prompted in so doing, by s
conscientious sense of duty. He hoped
, that Senators would see their duty in
the premises, as he conceived it; especi
ally would he appeal to the young mem
{ bers of the Senate, among whom there
may be Governors, Congressman anC
United States Senators. He exortec
them to duty; to establish clean rec
ord, unblemished by wrongs done or du
ties left undone.