The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-01-29
vOL.I2-NEW SERIES. NO. 3OS

before a general reduction Of the salaries
OF the remaining officers be made. III
sounded very well 10 talk about reduc-
iion Of ten per cent. but It was a very
serious matter to a batchelor, who had
no one to help him.
~ was very important 10 abolish the
unnecessary officers and IL would be a
very good thing 10 give those officers a
rest who have been so very busy in doing
nothing.
Mr. Parker. or Southampton. thought
there was a necessity OF revising the list
OF the salaries received by all the men
who are drawing any kind Of pay from
the State Treasury. From the investiga-
ton Of the subject ne had made. he did
not think that any fixed reduction would
be just. The amount Of services render
ed by the various officers should be taken
into consideration. At present the sala-
ries were not equitabiy adjusted accord
ing 10 the services rendered
Judge Watkins. OF Prince Edward. Of
fered as an amendment that the reduction
be not less than ten per cent.
Senator Flood accepted the amend
ment of Judge watkins.
Senator Opie congratulated the mem
bers for coming together for such pur-
pose. lie protested against the cutting
down OF the workingmen I'm the
employ Of the state who were now under
paid. He regretted that there were not
forty Republicans in the House and about
fifty in tho Senate. In that instance the
Democrats could form a sohd phalanx
and would achieve good results. He ar
gued that no action be taken until the
committees had been heard from
Captain Parks of Page. said he was In
favor OF retrenchment. but he did not
think that the people of Virginia eN-
pecfed the Legislature 10 rctrench so as
TO deprive the State Of efficient officers.
The Commonwealth attorneys and
sherifs had been cut down more than 10
per cent two years ago, and 10 include
them again I'm a general reduction at this
time wonld hardly be fair and just. II
the salaries of the members of the Legs
Iature were to be cut. he hoped that it
would not apply to tho present session,
for If this was done. he would have TO
walk home. and he was crippled, and IL
would be q very great hardship for him.
TO ACT IN CAUCUS.
Mr. Diggs. Of King william, moved
that the conference dpOn its adjournment
would meet on next Friday evening. by
which time the report of the special COM
mittoe would have been presented, and
that the report would be considered by
Democratic caucus for final action.
Mr.. Murphy. Of this city made a pracu-
cal talk as a business man, and ne asked
what the Legislature had done during the
past two months. He thought perhaps
the best thing for the General Assembly
would be to adjourn on the first of next
month, and save the State one months
salary He did not believe that a dollar
would be saved, and the state would be
not any better off at the adjournment of
the session than il had been at its begin
ming.
Mr. Chaplin, Of Greensville, offered the
following:
Resolved, That this conference has full
confidence in the Committee on Retrench-
ment. and in the pledges given, that
within three days such measures Will be
brought forward as will be acceptable
20 all who favor q general retrenchment.
No action was taken on any OF the
resolutions, and the conference finally
adjourned, on motion OF Mr.. Settle OF
Rappahannock, TO meet again next Friday
evening.