The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 18??-1935, 1911-07-07
THE SALARY GRAB.

THE SALARY GRAB.
While The Herald naturally re-
grets that any of its own folks
voted for the constituencies salary
grab, it realizes that it is probably
best that this raid upon the treasury
will not be d direct party issue But
for the votes of Fusion members
In both Houses the State would fave
been saved this shameful disgrace
and we are just as quick and severe
In our condemnation of the fusion
members who so far forget their
oaths as to vote the iniquity as we are
to denounce the regulars who COM
mitted the same otfense.
However, had the bill been passed
by the votes of the Patterson mem
bers alone denunciation of the meas
ure from the opposition would have
been misconstrued and misinterpret-
ed and partisans of the machine
would have rushed to the defense OF
a measure that their better judg-
ments revolted against, merely be-
cause it was an offense OF the house
hold Fortunately we are saved from
this unfortunate situation by reason
of the fact that no faction or party
is guiltless in this instance.
There can be no sort of excuse for
or defense of the raid OH the treas
ury. The constitution expressly pro-
hibits the members of the Legisla-
ture from drawing pay for more than
seventy-five days and fixes the rate
OF compensation for that time. Any
pay above and beyond that sum is
contrary TO the fundamental law and
q violation of the oaths Of the men,
bers who voted for it. 1t Is no de-
tense to say that other illegal appro-
priations have been made in the past.
At least, in those cases, the parties
responsible for the illegal payments
this case the members have ruth
lessly, in violation Of the organic
law, in the face of all precedent,and
without any regard for their solemn
oaths, taken that from the treasury
to which they have no legal right.
The sum involved, $65,500, is not
a large one for the great State Of
Tennessee. 1t can be paid without
any suffering or oppression upon the
part Of the taxpayers, but the prin-
ciple involved looms large. If the
members Of this legislature can, in
the teeth of the fundamental law of
the State and of all regard for the
common rules of conduct for those
serving in fiduciary capacity make
raid upon the peoples funds, what
will prevent future assemblies from
doubling or trebling the amount?
If the constitution will not restrain
those who are sworn to uphold and
defend it how can it prevent others
from departing from the paths of
rectitude?
The appropriation is not only an
unwarranted assault upon the con-
stitution and a disgrace to the State
for the reason that it gives the leg
isatOrs illegal compensation, but it
is Objectionable upon other grounds.
Salaries have been raised without
any justification whatever. Clerks
in the various departments at Nash
vile have been given salaries that
are larger than those received by
half of the bank cashiers and pres
idents of the State. The pay of stem
ographers las been raised to almost
double the average salary command
ed by them in private life Very
few of The increases are legitimate
or deserved. No clerk or official in
a subordinate capacity should be
paid a higher rate than similar SER
vices would command in the private
walks of life. Every legislato" in
voting the peoples money should
act as an ordinarily prudent bust
ness man in the discharge of his own
business would act. The apprcpria
Aion bill is a shame to the State and
it's authors should, regardless OF par
.ty or faction, be made to feel the full
measure of the wrath of an outraged
and Oppressed people.
I GOV, HooPER's MESSAGE. Z