The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1886-01-24
Senator Burkitt on Abssntseism


Senator Burkitt introduced the fol.
lowing bill on 10Th inst:
An act entitled, an 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 l. Be it enacted by the Leg
islsture of Mississippi, that hereafter
there shall be 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 be 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 il was re-
ferred to select committee OF three, OF
which Senator Burkitt is chairman.
This has been long cherished principle
with the General, and when ii was
attacked in the Senate he came to the
rescue with his wonted vigor and
earnestness. He defended the bill on
principle. He said that when an officer
1 is elected to serve the people in any
capacity they are expected and required
to give their whole time, attention and
energies to the discharge of the duties
| incumbent on him by virtue OF the trust
imposed? Aud he asked why should
members of the Legislature be made
exceptions to this rule? Are they entitled
to more privileges and exemptions
from duty than any other class OF
public servants who are elected To
serve the people? Have they any right
to neglect the public duties entrusted
/ to them by their constituents, Tor their
own private affairs or for their personal
pleasureH If they do, said he, in the
name of all that is just and honorable,
have they the moral right to secure pay
for work not performed, but which they
may have wilfully and fagrantly me-
elected? He said that in his advocacy
of this measure he was not inspired or
lured by any hopes OF political prefer
ment, for his political career would soon
close and when it does close, and when
he should be laid to rest in the silent
tomb, he wished TO be able to leave be
hind him a record pure and unsulied
so that his public life aud private
character can be pointed to as fit
example to all who may survive him.
This, said he, is one of the highest
aims of his life and its accomplishment
will prompt his every action and inspire
him to duty. lie meant no reflection
upon Senators and Representatives by
the introduction of this bill, but claimed
| budt lAC WIS piOuiptNN III So NVihSj ~ -
conscientious sense of duty, de hoped
that Senators would zee 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
maybe Governors, Congressman and
United States Senators. He exorted
them to duty; to establish a clean rec
ord, unblemished by wrongs done or du
ties left undone. He said he would
point them as an example TO the pure al d
exalted character of the gifted and
learned Watson Judge J. W. 9. Wat
son, the able lawyer, the wise Judge
and the man of unimpeachable moral
character, had expressed himself as en-
dorsing the principle embodied in this
bill.
He said his bill was small but it con-
tanned big principle. 1t was like the
distinguished citizen just mentioned.
He was small, wrinkle-faced, dried-up
man, but he had soul as big as a lion.
His recent victory in the Railroad Su
peryision cases is the browning act OF
his life. He has won laurels that will
encircle his memory as long as honor
| dWells among men.