, 1904-10-20
THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMEND
MENT.

Inc peOple vi the otdte VIII De Cal
ed upon to vote at the ensuing cleo
ton upon a constitutional amendment
proposed by the last Legislature that
is deserving of their favorable con
sideration. 1t has been recognized
for some time by those who have Civ
en- the matter attention that the com
pensation originally provided for the
judges of our higher courts is made
quate, and that the same should be
fixed at such a sum as will enable the
state TO secure the best minds to pre-
side owe the courts of the state. The
present salary was fixed when the ex-
pertinent of statehood was in its in
farcy, and although under that salary
there have been those who have been
able and experienced who have been
willing to accept judicial positions,
yet it is well known that they have
usually given mp a professional bust
ness bringing them a larger annual
income than the salary provided for
the office. That condition cannot be
expected to continue however, and
the people ought o to put the ju-
dicial compensation on a more just
and adequate basis. 1t is hardly nee
essary to suggest that a lawyer upon
taking a Judicial office sacrifices not
only his time in performing the duties
of the office, but he is required to
abandon a good and successful prac.
tice, which he cannot ordinarily hope
to recover in the same measure should
he evacuate the bench. This fact de
tiers many, under the present salary,
from accepting the judgeship.
1t may not be generally known, yet
it is the fact that Wyoming pays less
to her judges than nearly every other
state. With the exception Of three
northern states and five southern stat
es and extreme southern states where
living is cheap, the salary in this is
less than in any other state. To show
the sitution for the information of
the voters a reference to salaries paid
in some the states will not he amiss.
The state of New York pays to the
Judges of the highest court the sum
of $4,000, and to the chief Justice
Sl0,50O, besides allowing So 100, for
expences. New Jersey pays $1,000.
Massachusetts and Pennsylvania zach
$4,000, Michigan and Illinois, $1,000,
Iowa and California, ST. 900. The in
termountain states are not far behind.
Our neighbors, Utah and Colorado
each pay $1,000, while Idaho and
Washington provide IA $1,000, salary
rand Montana pays TO the supreme
court Judges S5,5OO. Navada and
Oregan 81 800. The salary in Utah
and ldahowas recently increased from
$1,000 which had been originally
provided. The jndges here are call
ed on to do the same class Of work,
having the same responsibilities, and
there is no reason why their lahers
and sacrifices should be rewarded with
less compensation.
The present salary paid in Wyom.
ing to the Judges of the district courts
and supreme court is $1,000. The
amendment proposes to pay the judges
of the supreme court $1,000, and the
district judges $1,000. The state cal
afford to pay an adequate salary, and
the proposed increase will not notice.
ably enhance the taxes of "a single
taxpayer. The amendment should
receive IA good majority of votes on
election day. We do not hesitate tc
pronounce it ID meritorious measure
and we hope to see it adopted. The
democratic judicial convention Of the
third district adopted "a resolution
favoring the amendment and several
conventions in the counties have
adopted similar resolutions. 1t is moi
a party measure. The proposed
amendment received an almost unani.
nous vote III both branches of the
Legislature without regard to party
utilization, and voters of all parties
who favor good government ought tc
cast their vot,- Tor the amendment
Laramie Republican.