St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-11-23
Judges and Clerks Of Elec-
ton May Whistle for
Adequate Pay.
A Provision Of the Bell Char
ter Cuts Them Or
With $15.
Thirty Of Uncle Sans Silver
Dollars Are Asked for by
the Officials.
Too Close to Settle Election
Bets on $1,000 Plurality
for Nelson.

The members or the city councll are
| forciby confronted by the abomina-
lions of the KeyeS election act. While
is universally agreed that the Aus
tralian system of voting has many viz
tues, and that it is protection to the
voter from the domination OF the UNI
scrupulous employer and from profess
Sional political bOSsiSm. the law i'll Min
neSota is in such a crude state that 1T
works hardShipS to the citizen. 1t is
complicated and clumsy. 1t cheats
large per cent out of their votes. 1t al
most offers premium for erroneous
returns to canvaSSing boards for the
reason that it entails vast amount OF
unnecessary labor by the judges OF
election and clerks.
All these things are brought home to
the councilmen in an unmistakable man
ner. The joint committee on claims
is now undertaking the task of arriving
at an equitable settlement with the
Judges and clerks of st. Paul for their
services in the recent election, and it
Wocld appear that scarcely any two are
agreed upon the amount of the recon-
pense that should be allowed. @
The Judges and clerks are compelled
to visit the city clerks office, under the
provisions of the election law, each day
first prior to registration days to get the
registration books, and then they are
Obliged to return the same to the clerk
each day following registration DAYS.
The night of election, in almost every
instance in the city, it required till
long way into the day following election
for the judges and CLERKS to complete
the circuit. Still, the law in specific
terms declares that the clerks and
judges shall be allowed no pay for their
services save on registration and cleo
ton days, and for each of such days
they shall receive 81 a man.
What does this mean?
Cannot the city council pay its en-
ployeS for extra services compelled by
state law?
The Joint committee on claims under
took to solve these problems at special
session held at 3 O'Clock Yesterday, but
after rather peculiar debate, i'll which
ali the members present participated
more or less, and voiced individual
ideas and sentiments, the committee
shirked the sponsibility. They wisely
found the subject too recOndlte for
them to interpret, and the matter was
referred to Corporation Attorney Law
Ter for his construction Of the law. This
will be submitted at an adjourned SEES
sion to be held at O'Clock Saturday.
There are 800 names on the roll, COM
priSing the judges and clerks, and they
are all anxious to get their money at the
earliest possible movement, and, as w.
+. Murray exclaimed 10 the committees:
a
they need their pay. They should hav,
had it ere this pursued Mr.. Murray
''and | hope you will act upon ito
night. The men should have $50 each"
who are your particular clients"?'
asked Mr.. Lightner with a quiZzlcal
smile.
Il appear for them all"
Il suppose we should pay them all
eduaIIV,n suggested MI. Lightner turn
ing to Mr.. Zimmerman.
"0iI,I suppose 50; but it scarcely
seems right, " he qualified after mo-
ment's thought. Il DON'T think the
men who only counted 100 votes should
receive as much pay as the men who
had to count 400, Tor illustration. Still,
l scarcely know low we can equallZe
the compensation
There were four days for registra-
ton and one for election" interposed
Mr.. Montgomery. NOW what does
the law say"'
Mr.. Lghtner read the section. 1t APP
peared rather explicit. The Judges and
clerks shall be paid So a day, but they
shall be allowed no pay except for ac-
tual services on regular registration and
election days.
That means five days at So day."
said Mr.. Montgomery. 1T looks as
though we can only pay them SIS each"
THAT is matter Of legal cUnstruc-
ton" offered Mr.. Warren. There is no
question about the fact that they worked
more than five days"
The city has fixed q days labor at
eight hours" interpolated Aid. Frank
lin. ''Some registration days began at
8 O'Clock and ended at O'Clock at night.
Then they worked all day election day
and ali night and most of the next day,
Are they not entitled to pay on the basis
of eight hours day"'
Inc city council has no right or
power" replied Mr.. Lightner, ito fix
eight hours as a days work on election
day. The state law is statutory and a
day with the state is tWenty-four hours.
Ine council cannot interfere by ordi-
nance with the provisions of state
enactment"
So the discussion was continued in a
desultory way until six O'Clock, VIXEN
the whole matter was referred to the
corporation attorney to be reported
back at an adjourned meeting OF the
committee next Saturday at 4 o'clock.
Warm listers.
Won should see Our s2SGO ITISters