The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-02-10
SALARY WRANGLES.
Scrap Over the Tax
Commissioners and Codi-
fers' Compensation.
sDscfal to the jersey Cttp Neaos.

TRENTON. Feb. 10, 1S97.-The Senate
treated itself yesterday afternoon to a
spirited debate on the bill which increases
the salary of the members of the State
Tax Board from $1,000 to s., 500 per annum.
Mr.. Ketcham, who introduced the meas
ure opened the debate by explaining that
these commissioners at one time received
$500 per annun, and since the salary
was cut down the work of the Board had
greatly increased, although the members
travelled extensively over the State in
the discharge of their duties they were
not allowed anything additional for their
expenses. One member of the Board had
told him that his expenses during the
year had amounted to $500.
In opposing the bill Senator Ski1.m said
that the member who enlightened Mr..
Ketcham as to the amount of his ex-
penses must nave lived high and con-
sumed other han solid food. 1t was
generally believed that these Commits
s.oners were well paid, and he felt quite
sure if they were dissatisfied and would
resign other men equally competent
could be found to take their places at
the present salary. He referred to AS
semblyman Wildes' bill reducing all sal
aries of State officials, and while not IA
voring it to its full extent he did think
it was an Indication of the popular de-
mand for economy. In the face of the
present public sentiment 1t was prepos-
ferrous to increase salaries.
The Senate from the hot bed Of econ
omy, Burlington, replying to Mr..
Ketcham's point that as the duties of the
Commissioners had increased their pay
should be increased, said hat before their
duties increased the Commissioners had
nothing to do but draw their salaries,
and all that they were doing now was
earning their salaries. The people of
his county, he said, were against any in
crease of salary.
Mr.. Ketcham said that he agreed with
much that had been said as to the de-
mand for economy, but he insisted that
the bill did not increase salaries in effect
but was simply an allowance of $500 for
the expenses of each of the Commission
ers. They travelled all over the State.
he said, and were giving faithful and in
telligent application to their duties. He
tied them, he said, and closed by re-
minding the Senate that at one tine they
cut it down. retorted Skirm, who went
on to say that he respected the gentle
men of the Commission and knew that
thought thoy ! Ss' they s0' We're Wen paid Iii for It. The
present bill meant an increase OF $2,0oo;
Mr.. DAILY paid a warm tribute to the
sioners were not all equal in ability, there
were some whom the State could not
sufficiently reward for their work He
Black as a gentleman distinguished In his
profession who had given US a work on
t taaatS std that was vas not na1v e spnna O. Il lant The
of the important services the Commits
sion had rendered the State by bringing
it nearer to an equality of taxation, and
salaries he heartily favored the bill.
Mr.. Hoffman called attention to the
fact that there We're no politics in the
bin as the Board consisted OF two Repub-
licans and two Democrats.
Mr.. Ketcham made another plea for the
bill, and it passed by a vote of Il to 9:
Bemocra IS a and En gen e Go ullda' Parry,
Reed skirm and Stanger. Republicans.
The Senate held a morning and after
noon session and passed quite a number
Of bills; t One Of theras EXTENDS x The term m
second-class cities to three years. The
bill is meant to apply, to Trenton. An
other was Mr.. Gledhill's measure, which
ppon Complaint Of his wife he shall be
obliged only to give bond to the justice
before whom he IS arrasgned to appear
man has to give bonds not only for his
appearance bur for his carrying out the
decision of the Court. Mr.. Voorhees,
Governor of one or more commissioners
to revise the general statutes of the
State came up on final passage and was
Explained at length by7Mr. VOORHEES,. He
said it was a step in the direction of
securing a condensation and curtailment
of legislation so. much desired in this
State go a dtGnI1SSinn hhfWPnn Mr. VnNr-
hees and Mr.. Kuhl as to the pay these
reviewers went to receive lasted some
time. Mr.. Kuhl opposed the bill on the
States money and increase the burden
of the poor farmer. Mr.. VOORHEES, said
that of course the reviewers would be
paid. No competent man would be ex-
pected to devote his time to such work
for nothing. The bill passed by a vote
of 10 to 2.