The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1906-01-26
PAY OF. RETIRED JUDGES.

thought, mems minds will differ, but
it seems almost unexplainable why
there should be so much honest d.
versity of opinion respecting the pay
of retired judges provided for by the
law enacted at the last session of the
Legislature. The principle is we'll
settled onei in the policy of the United
States government, and also in
many of the states, either by allow
ing liberal salaries during the incum-
bency of office, or else making a life
stipend-in some cases, both.
The trainers of our constitution
recognized that in democratic form
of government, absolute power, in
stead of being conferred iu the reign
ing executive, was safer scattered in
the Judiciary. Acting on this theory,
the independence of this branch of
our general government was the first
thought, the tenure of the judges
was made during good behavior, the
pay provided liberal, with the privi-
lege of retiring on full pay after a GER
tain number of years of continuous
service on the bench, and when the
age Of 20 years was reached. This
at once established an independent
judiciary, composed of excellent ma
terial, and the principle was soon
followed by number of states.
Maryland has been one Of the last
to realize the Importance of raising
the standard of the judiciary by a
competency in salary, and rather
took the theory that the honor
should be sufficient reward, coupled
with a small salary, in no wise COM
mensurate with the service rendered.
Some years ago, the pay of the judges
was raised, and the last legislature
went further by providing certain
amount for those who had attained
the age of 20 years, and were inca
paci' ated from further service by the
provisions of the constitution.
There can be but two arguments
advanced by those who favor the re-
peal of this law: economy and prin-
ciple.
First, as to economy. Perhaps
this spirit has prompted Senator
German to introduce the measure,
and we will regard him as sincere in
his effort to try to save money for
the State. Assuming these premises,
let us see how heavy the burden
bears upon the individual taxpayers.
The basis of taxation in this State is
sos, SCI, 456.9O. The recent report
of the Comptroller shows that in the
year past, $16,127 was paid out OF
the treasury under this fund. Now
let US calculate the percentage that is
borne by each taxpayer. The citizen
WHO'S assessed at $4O0is practically
exempt, as the amount that he con-
tributes to this fund is so small that
the United States government does
not mint coin to express it. The
man who owns $1,000 worth OF
property pays two cents and three
mills. But let us 60 still larger and
take the possessor of $4,000 worth
of taxable property. He annually
gives towards this fund about TWEEN
ty-three cents. These figures show
the absurdity of the proposition
from an economic standpoint. If
this appropriation is wrong in prin-
ciple, of course it is no argument to
say that the burden is light; and if it
is right in principle and consistent
with public policy, then there can be
no argument on account of the
weight of the burden imposed.
And now let US be broader, and,
secondly scrutinize the principle. We
are not actuated by the motive of as
sisting the men who get the dollars.
We want to help the real bene6ciaries,
not the half dozen judges, more or
less, whom the state undertakes to
compensate in their declining years
for services rendered while in their
prime, but the great mass of citizens
without regard to age, sex or color,
whose only hope in these days OF
greed, commercialism and graft is an
able and incorruptible judiciary to
protect their property, and we may
go further, and say even their iber-
ties or lives.
The only safeguard of our class,
viz. the plain people, is the protec-
ton afforded US by our laws when
interpreted by a judiciary that must
be not only upright in character, but
the most learned in our community.
Judges belong to limited class. The
man who can httingly discharge the
duties of this high office will always
command more money in the private
ranks. We want such men, and the
only way to get them is to have the
state guarantee not only reasona-
BILE income during the time that they
are giving the best years of their life
to its service but in their declining
days as we'll when they are too old
to again become bread winners. We
urge the Legislature not to cater to
certain class of public popularity
which asks that these faithful SER
wants in their few remaining days be
turned out to die, like an abandoned
car horse, that has been faithful in