The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-09

of the Commonwealth. inasmuch as IL
| was generally admitted that the duties o.
the Keeper OF the Rolls we're oh'y PEI
| functory after the close OF the session
Judge Watkins. OF Prince Edward said
| he had sol far refrained from entering
into the discussion on the subject or re-
trenchment on the floor OF the House. ana
had only paid his attention TO the WORK
I'm the committee. He desired, however.
TO bring out few points that so far had
not been given sufficient attention.
He was here interrupted by Mr.. Swit-
Ter, OF Rockingham. who desired 10 oner
another amendment. but was declared
by the chair 10 be out Of order uniii one
of the pending amendments was disposed
OF. He was permitted however, 10 read
his amendment. which provides that the
salary OF the clerk OF the Senate be ilNsu
at $500 per session. Mr.. Switzer thousnt
that this was sufficient pay ior woTk
that did not last longer than three
months.
Judge watkins I'm resuming the hoor,
said he did not think the House hah SUI
flciently considered the step that was
about to be taken. The argument had
been used that the two clerks were ohiy
employed for limited period OF time anu
that the pay proposed for them was out
Of proportion to the work per-
formed. The House should consider
however. how onerous these duties were
and that some allowance should also
be made for the dignity Of the once
The President of the United states re-
ceived salary OF $4,000 and perhaps
$4,000 more for perquisites and yet 1t
could not be said that this was pay ex-
rctly corresponding With the services
rendered by him. When n memDer OF
the legal profession undertook 10 render
certain services he did not makes MS
charges just in accordance with the
amount Of work. but in accordance with
its Importance and his ability TO DO the
work.
The pay Of 81 which the members OF the
Legislature received, could not be con-
sidered to he out Of proportion with
that Of a stevedore who worked IN one
OF the warehouses i'm Norfolk. The clerk
Of the House OF Delegates held position
which could he filed in an efficient man
ner only by comparatively few people.
MIR. MINTERs VIEWS. =
Mr.. Minter. of Bedford. began long
Grafton bv saying that the Constitution
provided that all men were born free ana
equal, and he next spoke about the uIs-
nitv mentioned by Judge Watkins. lie
desired TO know, whether dignity meant
official position or conventional meas
ures He also wished to kho" ""e'"ct
il was dignity 20 pay FOR eN'raVdsans
rates. This was a Democratic people az
hundreds and thousands, VINO Formerly
bad hold exalted positions like the gentle
man from Prince Edward. were now ioI-
loving the plow. and yet had not ios1
anv thing Of their dignity
Irdge Watkins called the gentleman
attention to the fact that NJ ma" NJ
referred 10 personal dignity out INC "'s
nifty of the position. .coo -
Nr Nintcr thought the pay OF Sooo OF
81 non was amply sufficient TOT the cie.N
of the Senate and 81, 200 for clerk ol 'lle
House Besides the fact thdl ,"a"
had done his duty TO his State should De
some compensation for him and IT should
be counted as part of his pay can you
huv dignity for money querlea MT
Nlnter. How do you measure H. by me
ward. the bushel or peck / want al
nublic officers TO have talr comp shsa-
ton" But he did not want them 10 receive
any more. "a
NJ stubbs. Of Gloucester. briefly re-
eerrea N tho last appropriation bill which
fxed the salary Of the clerk OF the S.ha'e
- 81 coo and that OF the clerk OF the
House at 81 40. He said he was not III
favor Of reopening the question about the
Keeper OF tn, Rolls, which had been al
indicated bv the vote Of the House. ne
ewes of the State Of Virginia were direct
cd towards its legislative halls, WINE
this talk OF retrenchment was going on
but when the other extreme became heatu
on this floor the exhibit was made 10 .le
world of the supreme ineiiiciency or the
Democratic party to run the government.
The cutting down Of salaries had been
commenced with the Governor whose en-
oluments had been reduced by $500. Next
the Auditor had been cut $3.50 and his
force almost fifty per cent. and yet there
were twelve bills now pending on the
calendar which II passed would largely IN
crease the duties Of the Auditor once
after the Legislature adjourned and seven
such measures had already been passed
The duties Of the clerk Of the Senate ana
of the clerk Of the House Of Delegates
ala not end when the gavel OF the presid-
ing officer fell and the hardest work Tor
both of these officials only commenced
after the adjournment of the Legislature
Mr. Parker then briefly replied 10 Mr.
Switzer. of Rockingham. who had SAID
ne had been surprised at the position tax
en- by him parker. II looked 10 MN
as If some inference had been MADE as
TO the use Of some influence 10 change MS
attitude.
MIR. switzer replied that he did not mean
ANYTHING of the kind and Mr.. Parker
then continued that whenever any prin-
chile was involved. he could not be guld-
ed by any outside influences. In this IN
stance however. the House would either
have to recede from the position taken 10
secure a compromise from the Senate or
there would be no cutting at all. for cut
of over $500 from what he had heard.
would not be accepted by the Senate ana
then q squabble would ensue.
MEANT No REFLECTION.
Mr.. Switzer said he had no intention OF
reflection on Mr.. Parker from the fact tnat
he kifew that the gentleman from South
ampton could not be Influenced by outside
pressure and he was therefore so much
surprised over the position he had taken.
This was not a position Of policy but OF
principle and the members should 90
right even If the heavens fell.
Mr.. Early OF Greene and Madison. adj
vocated the passage OF the bill as 1t
came from the committee. 4 few months
ago. he said. when the representatives, OF
the Democratic party from all sections OF
the State met in the Magic City OF the
Valley. the bugle call Of retrenchment
had been sounded and the eyes of Nir-
sinia were now turned upon the Legisla-
ture and the question had come 10 THIS.
Virginia against the ofiiceholders. Would
the Legislature stand by Old Virginia or
listen 10 the voice of the oficehOlders2
His two counties. Greene and Madison,
had spoken and said that Virginia ex-
pected him TO do his duty. He there
fore ask that equal justice be neeted
out TO all and special favors shown 10
none.