Maryland independent. [volume] (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1874-current, 1890-02-07


Senator Poscy has introduced bill 10
limit the sessions of tie Orphans Court
in this county 20 twice month. and each
session TO onr day. except 10 special cases;
and providing that in ease compensation
shall be claimed ly the ju lges IN excess
Of the two days in month. the judges
shall be ut the tender mcrcics Of the
County Commissioners for au allowance
for the same Another measure for the
State at large il pending re 'ucing tie
per diem Of the judges from 81 TO SO
per day between these several meas
ures aimed at their financial well being,
our judiciary are in a state of come APP
preheHsion not uainixcd with iHfiigha-
tion. They do not like Senator Posey's
idea Of subjecting them to the gracious
consideration Of the county fathers. and
they think t,e attack thus ma lie upon
them is altogether unealled for aud
improper.
There can be no doubt that the limit
ing Of the meetings Of the Orphans Court
IN this county TO ono or two sitting days
10 month like they have in Prince
Georges and other counties, is among
the necessary reforms in this county, but
il may be objectionable whether this re-
trenchuent can be compulsorily applied
to the now incuu bent judges. The con-
s.itutional provision that the salaries Of
Judge shall not he reduced during their
term Of Office does not seem to apply to
Orphans Court judges: but still there is
another general principle in regard to
vested rights which will probably cover
their case When these judges came
into office, they found their compensation
fixed by law and an immemorial loci
custom as to days Of sitting In the
ease Of Eugene Diggcs. a former S ate's
Attorney. it WIS decided that his conpen-
sation could not he reduced by a law
PASSED during his term Of Office; and it
would seem that tie Orphans Court
Judges are entitled To the benefit Of the
same principle. The Senator had prob
ably better amend his bill, SO as to ex-
cept the present judges from its opera
ton. Times.
There is no general bill before the
legislature, Of which we are aware, in
tended to reduce the pay of the several
Orphans Court judges, or to fix the
number Of sessions Of the court as above
stated. There has been bill inlroiuc
ed by Senator Somervelle Ga Democrat,
applying exclusively to the four Sou'h-
ern Maryland counties reducing the pay
Of the Orphans Court judges to So per
day, and providing that the County
commissioners shall not allow over SOL
altogether in one year to any ono Judge
IN our Judgment the bill is inipractieable
because under its provision the court
cannot sit but eighteen times in a year.
aud leaves no discrctio for it 10 sit Of
tencr. if need be, unless the judges sit
without pay. Senator Someryellc upon
being asked ~sho drew the bill AMI uom
!. what authority he acted IT including
with ----s.s.is is.s-s. 800: = ;ss'avssss
Know as professional politicians. rigid
adhere to it.
The majority party in the lerislaiu
will not pass that. or any other simil
law, notwithstanding anti-electi
pledges made by their party to do 5
because Mr.. German s,ys it means Der
ocratic defeat. or in other words. not |
own. il the voter is removed from Il
surveillance Of ruifian FOUNDERS. and bI
berry cannot be practiced as hcretofo
the Republican party must win in Mar
hnl. II was l candid admission ma,
Nv the astute Senator, but none the lie
true. IL any law is enacted by Il
present legislature, our prediction. no
made. is, secret ballotiug with olIisi
ballots. and sworn officials to help. n
iniimidate, the illiterate voter, will n
be incorporated therein,