The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-02-22
OUR SUPREME COURT JUDGES.
Mr. Busbee Points Out That Their Salaries
Have Not Been Raised in Eighty
four Years


four Years
To the Editor: l beg to call to your
attention q matter which should be con-
sidered by the present Legislature and
which should receive the earnest sup
port of every member of the General AS
sembly-the matter of the salaries paid
our Supreme Court Justices.
In the last few years there has been a
great awakening in North Carolina in
education, in agriculture, in manufactur
ing, in industrial enterprise. North Caro-
lima has ceased to be "a good State to
emigrate from because of want of OPP
portunity to its native born sons of am
bition and enterprise, and has already
become "a good State to immigrate TO,
because of its varied and unlimited re-
sources, which are being developed by
the aggressive and organized efforts Of
her own people.
The salaries of State officers ought to
keep pace with the material development
of the State. A place on the Supreme
Court bench is the highest professional
honor a lawyer in this State can attain.
1t should be the goal and professional
ambition of every member of this hard
worked profession, who regards his call
ing as most honorable and highly re-
sponsible. Yet the present salary is so
pitifully small that several lawyers Ito
the writer's own knowledge have re-
fused appointment at the hands of the
Governor because they could not properly
support themselves and their families on
the small income the office affords. Sure
ly the State of North Carolina should pay
it's officers a fair compensation for ser
vices rendered it.
There has been no change in the salary
of our Supreme Court Judges in eighty
four years, while the salaries of all the
other State officers have been increased
to meet the demands of a growing civili-
cation.
When the Supreme Court of North
Carolina was established in 1919, the
salary OF its judges was fixed at $4,000;
Governors salary was $4,000; Secretary
of State was $1,000; Superior Court judges
was 1850.
The same year OSLO Congress fixed
the salary of Chief Justice of the United
States Supreme Court at $4,000 Asso
ciate Justices $500; United States Dis
trict Judge for North Carolina was 81,
500.
mains 50, 500 with only an allowance for
$3.50 travelling expenses added. while the
Governors is $4,000, with a house and
heating and lighting-being thus more
than doubled.
Superior Court Judge is $4,000 with
same additional $3.50 for travelling be-
ing so per cent increase.
Chief Justice United States is raised
-
more than three times.
Secretary of State is $4,000 and fees,
aggregating last year $3,4S9-more thar
doubled.
United States Judge for North Caro-
than four fold.
The salaries of all other State officers
Though smalD have been considerably
increased since 1919 to meet the increased
cost of living.
The salaries Of the Judges of our State
Supreme Court alone have remained what
they we're when the court was first or
ganized in 1819-S4 years ago
Other State Supreme Court judges
New York Supreme Court Judges, 81, 800;
New Jersey-Chief Justice, $4,000 AS
sociates. $4,000; Illinois, Chief Justice,
9o,OUU, ASSOCldIeSt St,oOU MdoSdC- uSSLIo,
Chief Justice, $500; Associates. $1,000;
Pcnnsylvania-Chie Justice, $500; AS
sOciates. $4,000.
In the following States the salaries of
the judges ere givcn-that of Chief Jus
tice being usually $500 more than the
Associates:
California, $4,000: Colorado S.. 600; In
diana. $1,000; Iowa $4,000; Maryland. $4-
500; Missouri, $500: Michigan. $4,000;
Minnesota, $4,000 Montana, $500 Ne
vada. 81 800: North Dakota, 81 600; Rhode
Island s., SOC; Texas, $1,000; Virginia, &c.
j. $4,000; Wisconsin, $4,000; Mississippi,
So. 200.
The only State in the Union that paid
a smaller salary than North Carolina
was West Virginia, and that has recent
ly been increased to $4,000 for Chief
Justice and $4,000 for Associate Justices,
which is the same as is paid by another
OF the smaller States-Connecticut.
Several other States have of late years
increased the compensation of the Judges
of their Supreme Courts.
In Georgia there are six Supreme Court
Judges and each is allowed q stenograph-
er and typewriter at $500 annually.
In Kansas there are seven Supreme
Court Judges and each is allowed q
stenographer at $1,000, and this is true
of many other courts.
The following are States about eqi