Evening journal., 1893-01-18

law receives so long as he shall live the
same pay he earned while holding Office
Experience ia the United States courts
has proven the reluctance Of the class
Of men who adorn the tribunals, TO avail
themselves of the opportunity TO abandon
their official labors. After more than
twenty years the number of recipients
throughout the Union Of such retired on
pay can be counted upon the fingers of a
mans hands. OF the Supreme Court
judges but one receives retiring pay
But the present condition of our state
judiciary does not brook delay--and the
needs of the whole community require
the presence Of upright, wise, honest and
efficient magistrates for the dispensation
of justice in private causes. and the ad-
ministration of laws essential for the
preservation Of peace and order, and
security TO person, property and charac
ter in the state
Fuil-Pay Pensions.
The advanced age and consequent disa-
bility of some Of the most honored and
excellent members Of our judiciary in
duces me TO prepare aud suggest the
passage by the last Legislature Of an act
TO provide for the continuation of their
salaries for life to such members Of the
judiciary as should have attained the age
of seventy years aud have served at least
ten years on the bench.
One branch of the Legislature gave it's
assent; but the measure failed in the
other branch
Very soon the condition Of public busi-
ness In the courts held i'm this county
emphasized the urgent necessity for the
highest public reasons for the passage of
some such measure, and the attempt was
made by me and few others-nearly q
year ago-to induce such representations
to be made to the executive as might
lead him TO convene the Legislature i'm
special session-for the purpose of keep
ing the tribunals Of public justice in an
efficient condition for the transaction of
their transcendently important func-
tions.
Time has but proved the correctness Of
the opinion that the remedy referred to
was then needed and should now be sup
piled
The message of the governor Of the
state to the present Legislature confirms
substantially, what have stated, and
this letter Is written in the sincere hope
that the two houses of the Legislature
charged as they are with providing for
the welfare OF their constituents will
not fail TO recognize the immediate
necessity and duty of making just pro
vision for the voluntary retirement Of
the aged and honored men who have
served the state in the highest capacity
known to humanity-and by the same
act supply the agencies for the admins
tration Of justice according to law.
have been informed that my
profes sional associates Of the bar in this
county have It in view TO visit the capi
t6l Of the state and lay before the law
making power the well known facts of
the case and the pressing need Of re-
/ lief
As 70 is possible that I may be pre-.
vented from being personally present
with them I have thus written 70 you az
the presiding officer of the honorable
body OF which you are a representative
member from the county Of which am
citizen and a resident-and / am very
respectfully, your obedlent s-rvant,
4. +. BAYARD
When the lawyers got through it was
so late that the Senate did not transact
any business and the House only held q
short session.
Legislators Favorably Impressed.
The members seemed to be favorably
impressed with the argument and a bill
TO retire the judges will probably be in.
troduced In a day or two and passed OF
killed in short order
Judge Houston has been on the bench
about forty years and Chief Justice
Comegys has been his associate for six