The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1905-01-14
But Not Yet Decided Up
on the Amount.
REPORT NEXT WEEK
Judge T. B. Wvmack, R. H. Hayes, c.
M. Busbee and James H. POI APP
pear Before the Senate Com
mittee in Behalf of the
Rili

The Senate Committee on Salaries
Yesterday afternoon and Mr.. r. r.
Hayes, of Pittsboro, Mr.. c. NJ. Busbee
Judge r. B. Womack and Mr.. James
H. Pou were heard on the bill
to Increase the salaries of the SUI
preme and Superior Court judgs.
These gentlemen stated that they
did not appear before the committe
furthered by interests other than
should be held by every citizen. ana
that they would not make speeches,
us the business of the bill was too
evident but wished to utter a few
words IN It's favor.
Ine increase of judges salaries was
the sole topic of discussion at the
meeting. and the only bills bearing or.
Jnls were that of Senator ScaleS, OF
Giullford. which provides for $4,000 rs
the salary of the chief Justice; $4,000
each to the Associate Justices, ana
3 800 to every Superior Court Judge;
and that of Senator Ward, OF Craven.
winch makes no distinction in salaries
allowing the chief justice, associate
Justices and Superior Court Judges
$4,000 per year. Tire bill of Mr.. Scales
the only question arising was whether
the amount stated in it was too large
The governor in his message to the
Senate yesterday recommended an in
crease, and ex-Gov. Aycock in his
message to the General Assembly
favored an increase IN the salaries OF
the judges.
The committee took no action on
account of the absence of two menu
bers. Mr.. Fleming of Pitt, and Pear
son. of Burke. 1t being desired To
have a full attendance when the CONF
mittee decides upon the bill.
Mr. Hayes, of Pittsboro, spoke first.
and said that the matter of increasing
the salaries of the judiciary carrlee
with it some delicate features. The
Judges" he sand, ARE a class of meh
not properly paid, and their off1clal
position would make il embarrassing
10 them to request an increase OF
their salaries.
Il hope this committee, he con-
tinued. will make a recommendation
in accordance with what the governor
said in his message this morning. /
am strongly in favor of this increase,
and the whole people approve it. THIS
is the only class of State officers whose
salaries have never increased, but they
have really decreased. as the State has
taken their railroad transportation
away from them. thus augmenunS
their expenses. / hope this legisia.
ture will pay them decent salary.
/ am in favor of Senator Scales bill.
with the governors salary clause ell
minated. But if you think this is
too much. which is by no means too
much. why do not decide upon 1t un>
ill YOU have framed one that Will have
the certainty of passing the House;
But this should be done right away.
Mr.. Cnas NJ BuSbee followed Mr..
Hayes. and said:
Il do not appear before this COM
mittee holding any relations OF an
attorney. but simply as lawyer ana
citizen, not even to make speech,
but to state in a few minutes what /
believe to be right and just. There is
not Il State in the Union that pays its
judiciary as meagerly as North Care
lima This State and its people are III
"a good condition financially and i
have not found one person hostile TO
this bill to Increase the salaries of the
judges.-the hardest worked officers OF
North Carolina.
Now what shall we pay them. is the
only question this committee is TO con-
slider. and it should do 1T with dellb-
erateness and GOODNESS. The only diff
ference is in the amount to be paid the
Judges as salaries. l look upon it as
a private citizen. and member OF
great and an honorable profession. ]
think the amount stated in the Scaies
bill is right and Just and proper.
was once rendered the judgeship. but
was compelled to decline because the
cxpenses attached to the position
we're TOO great for me to bear With
the smafI salary allowed. | have heard
Judges of the Superior Court say that
so close did they have to calculate In
respect with what he received ana
what he had to Gisburse he could not
educate his children.
II conceive that it is no answer to
say that the judges took their offices