The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-01-12

Inc war cry OF the Democratic house
of representatives has gone forth in
its inception. Economy is the word and
it will prevail in every attitude as
sumed by the new silver forces which
are going to control the state. 1t was
the strong u-ndercurrent which was be-
hind every action of the popular branch
yesterday morning until it was fairly
soaked with political economy.
Its most potent expression vas found
in the way the glittering silver BLADE
was raised over the salary of every
small office within the gift of the leg
stature. Each moment that it flashed
the reflex of the great Bryan crusade of
money saving glittered III the ray and
h headlesS trunk of another executed
salary lay on the table. Such oppo-
sitlon as was offered by members from
the more poDulous districts was swept
aside.
Salaries must fall. The watchword
AVE an initiative, and what
better beginning thar in the matter Of
pay? The public purse-strings must
be drawn close TO replenish the private
larder of those who in the agricultural
communities were crying out against
t~Op-heaVy taxation. Nothing could
stem the tide of r-etrenchment and
therefore officials of the house accepted
their reward for political activity
knowing full we'll that $50 per day
was the limit. AS compared with the
salaries in vogue at the last session,
there is a decrease from Sc per day
from some offices and from 50 to "a
in others. Then the chief clerk received
SO; now he is content with $3.50. 1t
was even suggested that there were
many competent persons who would
be glad to do the same work for $3.50.
The sentiment for retrenchment is,
therefore, well on in the house and
appropriations from the senate that
have not been squeezed will undoubt-
eddy be returned without concurrence
The watch dogs of the treasury have
sprung W all over the foo and the
greatest economic legislature in the
history of the state is in full swing.
THE ORGANIZATION.
The organization of the house as con-
firmed is as follows:
Speaker-John F. Perkins.
Chief Clerk-Max Thomas.
Minute clerk-John B. Morrison.
Docket cl~erk-Joseph M. COhen.
Engrossing and enrolling clerk-Mrs.
A. U. Hobson.
Committee clerks-George Hays and
MagnussRolph.
Chaolain-Rev. Ira N. Hinck-
ley, ir.
Observation-Disclosures Johnson.
Doorkeeper-Colonel Sullivan.
Watchman-J. NJ. Grant.
Messengers-Frank Rippon and
Thomas Thomas.
Lack of any previous legislative eX-
perience, which became palpable in an
embarrassing degree, delayed the COM
plete organization for nearly one hour.
AS the novelty of their positions wore
off, most of the members and Speaker
Perkins lost sight of the new official
personality and the early awkward
ness was shaken loose, so that by the
hour of afternoon adjournment there
was a more domestic sense lowering
over the law-making quarters of so
days duration. Formal stiffness was
dropped during an afternoon recess,
when the various members were as
signed to the seats they Will occupy
throughout the session. All of the mas
Culine element of the popular branch
gathered around the primitive oasis
and tracked jokes. The women were
not a whit slow at political repartee
and this side play served to put the
more deferential element on easy terms
with Representatives Mrs. La Barthe
and Representative Mrs. Anderson.
Two punches of glorious American
Beauties were brought incO the che mber
during the morning and bestowed upon
the first of the lower house by
admirers.