Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1898-10-31
LEGISLATIVE EMPLOYEES.

How Their Number and Cost Have
Voice In the Matter--A Dead Swindle
In the Thlng--EXtra Clerks and EN-
ployes Paid for Twice--The Chief
Clerks Defy the Laws Limitations
as to Contingent Expenses, Etc.
The number and cost of the officers
and employees of the two houses of the
legislature are justly objects of much
criticism. If the public business were
expedited by the constant increase of
the number of this class of hangers
on, with the attendant large expense
involved, there would be no complaint.
But it is plain that so large force is
not needed. Many of them do nothing
at all, practically, to earn the money
they draw from the treasury. Some
of them spend but little more than as
much time in Harrisburg as will suf-
flee to sign the requisite vouchers and
draw their pay. Those that are at hand
are so numerous that they crowd each
other and are in each others way.
There are certain periods of the
clerks, notably those in the transcrib-
ing rooms, are required to work hard,
and even excessively, but this is COM
pensated for by the far more numer-
Gus other times, when they have little
or nothing to do. Outside of two or
three in each house, none of them put
in as much time, or render as much
service, as would be exacted from
them in private or corporate employ
for much less remuneration.
Up to and including 1888 the force
was large enough in all conscience. 1t
is not easy to dig out of the records
they are generally in so unsatisfac-
tory a state as to Details and change
their form so frequently from year to
year-with absolute accuracy, just the
information Of which one Is in search.
But, in so far as can be gathered
from the reports of the auditor gem
eral and the general appropriation acts,
the senate in that year had Al officers
and employees and the house, which was
Democratic, 81. The very next legis-
lative year QSS5), however, the number
in the house was increased to 5S regu-
lars and two extras, making 60 in all.
There was no need or reasonable eX-
cuse for the jump. The Z clerks of
1883 did as much work as the 10 of
1885, the pastors and folders of 1888
put up and sent out the documents as
promptly as the II of 1885, and the 10
pages of 1888 served the personal needs
of the members as faithfully and fully
as the Is of 1885. But there was de-
mand for more snecures to compen-
safe the workers." who had repaired
in 1885 the damage the machine had
suffered at the hands of the Demo-
Gratis and Independents in 1882, and
they had to be provided.
There were no apparent increases of
the force in either body for the ensuing
10 years, the al sufficing in the senate
and the 5S in the house. But in 1895
came an enormous jump, the number
in the senate being increased to Al and
that in the house to 60. In fact, eX-
cepting the extra employees" which
gave rise to the indemnity bond scan
dal, there were no more in 1897 than
in 1895. 1t was the Legislature of the
last named year that was the primary
offender in this regard, Notwithstanding
the fact that it was scarcely noticed
by the gentlemen who We're so indlg-
nant and outraged by the perform
ances of 1897. And in connection with
the 1895 employees in the senate, there
is something singular. An act Of March
of that year authorizes the chief
clerk to appoint an executive clerk
at $500, two additional transcrib-
ing clerks at 81 per day and two
additional janitors at the compensa-
tion usually allowed that class of en-
ployes. These appointments were made,
and the auditor generals report shows
that the salaries stipulated were paid
to the appointees direct from the state
treasury. But it shows also that SO, 700
was paid to the chief clerk for the sal
aries of additional officers and en-
ployes under the act of 1896" Who did
hat S3.700 go to? Not to the execu-