The weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Craig County, Okla.) 1905-1913, 1909-09-10

bcth Ntlh AaNeA4 ny lhN RboliN NtNae
both pro and con in regard TO what
is alleged as a double salary being
paid to the lieutenant governor, one
for being lieutenant governor and the
other as chairman Of the banking
board. Many have meiy,sained that
the constitution forbids such payment
and have criticised the state banking
board for allowing the salary Thursday
morning ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Bellamy
addressed the following letter to the
state banking board
The state Banking Board City,
Gentlemen. Having just returned
from trip of few weeks outside the
state and noticing the questioning of
my right to be compensated for sery-
ices as member and chairman of
your board, in addition to the salary |
which / receive for the time | deyot. |
ed 70 the constitutional duties as lieu
tenant governor, | deem It proper TO
lpresent my views OF the attitude
which take on this question to the
board.
In the first place. have drawn a
salary up 10 the time | went on my
vacation trip, being salary TO the first
OF July My position on this salary
Question is as fonows:
First. The constitution Is creating
the office of lieutenant governor diff
Tiers in its language from the provis
ions OF the constitution creating other
state omces In this; That while 9th
er state officers under 1ne constitu'
tion have their time engaged to the
state and their salary made to cover
the entire year In the performance,
rot only OF the duties imposed by the
constitution. but such other duties as
may thereafter be prescribed by law
and differ from the section Of the con
stitutlon as 70 lieutenant governor
which gives the lieutenant governor
tne duties only of presiding over ses.
slons OF the state senate and acting
as governor in the absence of the gov
I ernor. Clearly the constitution did
not expect but a portion of the lieu.
tenant governors time 70 be taken
and therefore gave him but nominal
salary per annum, being less than one
nalf the salary allowed any man hold.
ling any other state Office and does
e not require the lieutenant governor
2 TO perform any other duty that the
: legislature might impose upon him
I. under the salary provided by the con
stltution.
Il have Investigated IN several 9th
Ter states and hnd that where the
! Legislature gives the lieutenant gov
2 ernor additional duties to perform
Z he Is paid for these additional duties
!. and even a much stronger case Of ad
dltional compensation for duties be
yond the ordinary duties is found II
cases III Iowa and Nebraska where
> state officers whose time Is Intended
to be given the public anl yet wher
: additional duties, out of the ordinary
u were assigned them the courts o.
y theose states have declared that addi
tlonal compensation should be pai'
Il for the additional service In M
case. the frequent meetings Of th'
Z banking board and the necessary worl
to be performed between meetings, en-
! tail great deal Of personal tragelnI
y and other expenses. which of course
: pay out Of my own pocket and tn
salary which have heretofore re
y celyed mas included tho fe-imbursiul
= of these expenses and IN the absence
= of salary, would either have beei
" compelled to neglect the meetings an'
- duties of the office. or pay consider
able sum monthly out Of my own poe
kef TO cover the expense, TO say moth
= ing about the time taken.
II IKE the other members Of tn
board. have felt q deep interest i
the success Of the state bankin
law. that nave been aud still 81
anxious to see the work Of this board
:, including IT'S chairman SO earefull
n looked after as to continue "a the q
ture as we have hi the past the mos
highly successful administration g
Il the state banking law
It II feel that beyond question TIA
Ia as matter Of right and as a matte
s of Law was entitled 70 draw th
y salary. and that it did nothing NOR
k. than compensate me for the expense
Is and time devoted Is the success d
the administration Of the banking Law
ID However, II by any technical con
:. suuetion of the law. of 0klahoma
,e am not entitled 10 have my expense
! reimbursed and reasonable eompef
le sation for time devoted % this WorA
d of course, don twant 10 receive i
u and am perfectly willing 70 inatltnt
sa.tf a.aI