New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-03-13
SALARY REDUCTION BILL.
1T PASSES THE HOUSE AFTER A WARN
DEBATE.
SWEEPING MEAsURE-TO REDUCE THE sALAHf
OF NEARLY EVERY STATE OFFICIAL


Trar,on March - fSneciaO-There was a pro-
longed and somewhat bitter discussion III the pou
this morning over Assembly bill No. Al, the sa'i's
reduction measure. Before vote was reacneu "
heated political battle was precipitated -,
The measure was introduced ny Judge Wai"hs
early in the session. 1t provides that after Angus
/ next the annual salary Of every State ofncer 'n
titled to receive than 5000 year eAeep'
ing the Governor the Justices OF the Supreme court
and Chancellor. shall be reduced p per cent
The bill also provides that the salaries OF the
SUCCESSORS of the Governor, the Justices OF 'ne
Supreme Court and the Chancellor, snail also oe ~
duccd % per cent. =,
In sunnort Of his bill. Judge Walling said 1t would
adjust salaries to the presen, financial conditions.
Values were far below what they were ie" !e'''
ago and the wages of the common laborer had pee"
reduced fully 80 per cent in the last lie" !e"' =
While this going on their burdens were an"""'
" increasing by the Legislature adding a ie" nun
dre1s or a few thousands to the annual salaries Oh
nearly all OF New-Jerscy's State officials ms
gradual Increase OF official salaries had nov reached
such a point that nearly everybody irrespective o'
political utilization, who had the interests OF the
State at heart believed 1t time for fair reduc-
ton.
Mr. Mnch was OF the opinion. He thought
the salaries of State officials in New-Jersey as
compared with other States and with the salaries
OF men in mercantile life. was little less than eA-
orbitant.
Leader Robertson strongly opposed to the
bill He believed it unconstitutional. because III
his opinion IT classified salaries. He would FAVOR
a bill. he said. that would make general reduc-
ton OF salaries In the right direction. He feit that
there were those in the States service that did not
earn their salaries. and said that among these
he might mention few District Court JUDGES
The ..chair-warmers" or those who did nothing
more for the State than 10 draw salaries whe
others did their work. should be reduced.
ais
tional he holding that the salary of State officials
could not be reduced in the term for when theI
were elected or appointed. o,.,.n. a,airs, m.
Mr.. skinner made strong argument asa,se o,n no
passage of the bill. while commenting the mo ,pP,
sibie. He criticised the Democratic minority Sc,
Verey for attempting 10 make potiea capaa.d ou 70
know why the Democratic party did not reduce
salaries when it held absolute control Of me STATE
10 the fact that as soon the Republican, CD
tanned power they reduced the excessive ea III me
Supreme Court; and now 1t Is proposed 10 sun LUZ
ther reduce these salaries r,o,,,,r,v ann,v,ns TO
those officials earning their salaries would ne 4
good one but he thought ns he Knew Of
sentiment favorng the reduction OF the saIary OF
any State officer VINO was clearly earning the money
Mr. Roll believed tn. Republicans could be trusted
TO make any needed reform and he regretted that
tho Democratic party when in power failed TO take
the measures II usually advocated wheh IN inc
Mr. Wildes made long argument favorable e.. 10
heartily In favor OF the measure. The farmers ae.
ma nded It's passage. II the line WIN WHAT
the peopl- expected from the Republican party ana
what promised them II they would 1lace N y
Marty i'm mower The salaries Of state officers hsd
steadily increased. Mr. Wildes quoted the salaries
OF various state officials for the last forty years
several other members discussed the measure
and when the vote was taken all the Representa-.
ives voted FOR the bill passing II by No'r OF 80
TO IS The measure is far-reaching. and II II sue,
! ceeds In running the gan,et in the Senatr am
receives the signature OF the Governor every Coun-
~ in the State Will feel lts power among ON,
things the measure does is 10 reduce the salaries OF
Inc next clerk in Charcery and clerk or tne
Srnreme Court from So 900 10 $50 each. II VIII
reduce the salary OF nearly every County judge
every Sheriff In the state. and every county ~rN.
surrogate and nearly every Ci;y District court
Judge OF the State. In addition 10 reduclhs the
salary OF nearly every Official IN the S'''e io"'''