The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-02-05

cutting down of the salaries Of some Of
his dearest friends. merely prompted by
a sense of duty. The committee had not
considered the matter carelessly or reck-
lessly. II the House agreed 10 every
amendment that was offered. then the in
tended effect OF the bill would be de-
stroyed.
On motion Of Mr.. Clarke. of Dinwiddc,
the pending question was then ordered.
and the amendment offered by Mr..
Stubbs. which strikes out the provision
relating TO the transfer OF the duties
OF the Keeper OF tho Rolls TO the Secre-
tary Of the Land Office. was then agreed
to by an overwhelming majority.
The chair was then vacated until
o'clock
THE AFTERNOON SESSION.
When the chair was resumed at o'clock
there was hardly one third of the mem
bers in their seats.
Dr. Winston. OF Hanover. offered an
amendment TO section 3 Of the bill so as
TO reduce the salary OF the Secretary OF
the Commonwealth from 5000 to 1880
and to strike out the provision which
transfers the duties Of the Register OF the
Land Office to the Secretary of the Com
monweath. In speaking to the amend
economy. but he did not believe in cut
ting off one mans head in order to be
able to retain the salary OF another man.
If IL was necessary TO reduce salaries
then reductions should be made all along
the line and let every office-holder con-
tribute TO the savings of the State. II
the Office Of the Register of the Land
Office was useless. then II should be
abolished. and the salary Of the Secretary
Of the Commonwealth should be cut along
with the others.
Mr. Craig OF Rockbridge. said there
was no intention OF cutting off any mans
head when the present state officers were
elected: this was done with the under
standing that subsequently their saa
ries could be reduced by the Legislature
or their offices be abolished altogether.
Mr. Anderson. OF this city. pointed out
that IL was absolutely necessary for the
Register Of the Land Office to keep one
clerk in that Office which was one Of the
most complicated offices IN the State. and
the amount OF $500 agreed upon by the
committee for the clerical office OF the
Secretary OF the Commonwealth was.
therefore. entirely insufficient. Besides.
he desired TO be first informed in detail
as TO what was intended In the several
provisions Of the bill.
Mr.. Parker. Of Southampton, complain
ed that whenever a provision OF bill
presented by the Committee on Retrench-
ment came up for discussion some one
remarked that the committee did not
know what It was doing. He thought
credit for some little sense should at least
be eiven the committee FOR the hard work
viii n they performed.
NJ. Switzer. Of Rockingham, said from
the argument ne had listened TO he felt
inclined 70 offer resolution providing
that all the state officers be confirmed
and retained forever in their present sala-
ries thereby indicating that these oihcers
are such that no one can iii their places
He would like 10 see the House settle
down TO business and take the laoors or
the committee as the best thing tnat
could he offered. He was willing and
prepared to support the committee IN an
their efforts for retrenchment. Wheh ne
first came to the House he thought that
some OF the members tried 10 set the
James river on fire with their zeal Tor
retrenchment.
EXPLAINS HIS POSITION
Mr.. Chaplin, Of Greensville said he had
never taken up any time oil the house
but he desired TO inform that BODY wnere
he stood. He had two counties benlho
hin-the counties Of Greensville and sus-
sex-and in their name he consratuld'eu
tho committee and in his own name he
congratulated the committee ana esPc-
cially the gentleman from Rockorldse
for the work done The action OF many
OF the members on the various retrench-
ment measures looked too much IKE Ia
yoritism. and he. for his part, desired TO
tell the House that he proposed 10 stand
by the committee.
Mr. Darlington. OF Charlotte said nc
endorsed every word that the geh'leih'"
from Greensville had said. and that gen
tleman's modesty should be recommended |
rather than embarrassed. II the Rouse
was i'm doubt as 10 the adNisap'h'y Va
abolshing the Office Of the Register Oh .ne
Land Office then 1t would be better lot the
members to resign and go home ii we
do not carry out the object we are sen'
here for nj least In part. said the |
sneaker then we had better give up our /
seats. But I am sorry TO see 'his iiouse
pick the bill to pieces"
Mr. Darlington then called attention 70
the fact that the salary or the keSls'er
OF the Land Office was now NS" tha' |
OF his clerk s1Nl ard that 500 were ap-
proDriated In addition for the expenses |
OF the office he was Informed however |
that the last named amount was appro-
priated for the improving OF the walks
and roadways in Capitol Square.
"A public servant" continued MT Car
rington thinks he works hard, when ne |
work. three hours 4 day. Tho salary or
the Secretary or the Corri1rwrslth mas
not been reduced. because additional our- |
csns have been placed upon him. There |
has been some talk OF the necessity OF |
increasing the number Of clerks. when
IN fact they are not working. A nttle |
more work aud discipline Is necessary.
! have. ~.rx Great admiration for the