The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1909-09-04


is alleged as a double salary Deini
paid to the lieutenant governor, on
for being lieutenant governor and th'
other as chairman OF the bankinl
board. Many have maintained thai
the constitution forbids such payment
and have criticised the state banking
board FOR allowing the salary. Thursday
morning Lieutenant-Goyernor Bellamy
addressed the following letter TO the
state banking board.
THE State Banking Board, City
Gentlemen: Having just returned
from a trip Of few weeks outside the
state and noticing the questioning OF
my right to be compensated for sery-
ices as a member and chairman Of
your board, in addition TO the salary
which I receive for the time ! devot.
ed to the constitutional inties as lieu
tenant governor, / deem ii proper 70
present my views OF the attitude
which take on this question to the
board.
In the first place. / have drawn a
salary up TO the time l went on my
vacation trip, being salary to the first
Of july. Ny position on this salary
question is as fonows:
First. The constitution is creating
the oftice Of lieutenant governor dir
fers in its language from the proyis
ions OF the constitution creating other
state onlces in this. That while 9TH
er state officers under me constitu-
ton 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,
ana differ from the section OK the con-
stitution as to lieutenant governor.
which gives the lieutenant governor
sne duties only Of presiding over ses-
sions OF the state senate and acting
as governor in the absence Of the gov
erncr. Clearly. the constitution did
not expect hut a portion OF the lieu
tenant governors time 10 be taken
and therefore gave him but nominal
salary per annum. being less than one
nalf the salary allowed any man hold
ing any other state Office and does
not require the lieutenant governor
to perform any other duty that the
legislature might impose upon him
under the salary provided by the con
stitution.
II have investigated in several 9th
er states and find chat where the
legislature gives the lieutenant gov
ernor additional duties TO perform.
he is paid for these additional duties
and even a much stronger case Of ad-
ditional compensation for duties be
yond the ordinary duties is found in
cases In Iowa and Nebraska where
state ofacers whose time is intended
to be given the public anil yet when
additional duties, out OF the ordinary,
were assigned them. the courts Of
,heose states have declared that add
tional compensation should be paid
for the additional service. In my
case. the frequent meetings Of the
banking board and the necessary work
10 be performed between meetings, en-
tail a great deal Of personal. travelling
and other expenses. which of course,
/ pay out Of my own pocket and the
salary which have heretofore re-
ce.vea mas included the re-imbursint
Of these expenses and In the absence
OF salary. ] would either have been
compelled TO neglect the meetings and
duties OF the ONCE. Or pay consider
able sum monthly out Of my own poe
ket to cover the expense. to say moth
ing about the time taken.
Il. like the other members Of the
board. have felt a deep interest in
the success OF the state banking
law. that have been and still am
anxious to see the work OF this board,
including it's chairman. 50 carefully
looked after as to continue in the fu.
ture as we have in the past. the most
highly successful administration of
the state banking law.
4 feel that beyond question that
as matter Of right and as a matter
OF law l was entitled to draw the
salary, and that it did nothing more
than compensate me for the expenses
and time devoted to the success of
the administration Of the banking law.
However, II BY any technical con-
struction OF the Law. of Oklahoma, !
am not entitled to have my expenses
reimbursed and reasonable compen-
sation for time devoted to this work,
OF course. 4 don 'twant TO receive it.
and am perfectly willing to institute
such action in the courts as viii set
- sf.a Ia