The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1903-09-02
LAURENs. $. c., Sept. 2, 1908.
Shall Salaries be Increased

s'AN~
Thirteen years ago the howl that re-
sounded through this state for reduc-
ton OF salaries caused the marrow to
freeze in the bones. The salary reduc-
ing advocates came into power and
those of the said advocates who OBJ
tanned the Offices began 20 wriggle
and squirm Each and every reform
ing ofice-holder saw a thousand rea-
son why the pay attached to his job
was not too large. A little reducing
was effected but it did not, ave in ex.
ceptional cases, last. The average of
salaries was not lowered and o o in
in most cases where u little cutting was
done the old scale "a restored. The
salary reducing cry of the campaigns
of the early nineties was acknowledged
to have beer u humbug by the actions
of those who were lOudest in the
clamor. In one place q serious cut was
made. Salaries of supreme court
judges were reduced to $1,000. Mem
bers of this court ought to be lawyers
of the highest standing. A great law
yer, unless he is already rich, will not
accept a place for $4,000. With the pro-
found wisdom so em%inently character
istic of South Carolina politicians the
supreme court judges were, of course,
selected for Il docking in pay.
Meanwhile, 1--we smell an effort which is
being put forth with fairy-like delicacy,
for a general elevation of salaries. In
the News and Courier, one GA. K.",
and q rarely shrewd lad is ga. K" by
the way, has been writing about the
enormous expenses of Giving in Co.
lumbia." He also eXpatiated, in SEN
tences that would melt a stone quarry,
about the expense OF making the cam
paigns since the adoption of the pri-
mary system. Some months previous
Ga. X" argued in his correspondence
that all state officers should live in Co
lumbia. Whenever "a. K" tackles
politics in his correspondence, there is
something doing or about to be. We
Imagine that a few of the able and eX-
cellent ofice-holderS around Columbia
are hungry. They are falling behind
in their grocery bills and telling "A.
k" about it-in order hat the legisla.
ture may hear.
One set of state officers, who get S40O.
u year, seem to be fully satisfied with
their salaries and hundreds want theft
jobs.
"a. X" omitted the strongest argu.
ment in favor of increasing salaries. II
is that state officials cannot accept free
passes in this state. Federal officials
congressman and senator's, who trave,
much beyond the states borders, have
their salaries materially increased by
the railways.
We are, however, opposed to elcvat
ing the salaries of our officials. We
fear that higher salaries would make
better men run for Office. The men in
office now are good enough. We do not
wish to live under an administration OF
saints,
According to GA. K.", all the pres
ent state officers are likely to seek re.
election. This would indicate that they
would not starve in the event of sue
cess for at least two years, with OF
without compensation. They will not
run again for the honor of the office
Any man can squeeze an office dry o.
honor in one term. Ifthese gentlemen
are bent on seeking reelection at least
until after their terms the question o.
higher salaries may safely rest.
In this connection, the people should
rid themselves of the notion that g
state officer is entitled to two terms. Il
the trainers of the constitution had sc
believed, they would have made four
years the term.
If for the imminent vacancy on the
board of whiskey directors, to be filled
by the legislature, a hundred candi.
dates have offered, the compensation
being about $500 how many candidates
would offer if the salary we're raised tc
$4,000. In THE ADvERTISER'S opinion,
not one additional. The candidates for
the position IN this board are seeking
the sublime honor it carries.