The Topeka state journal., 1914-01-02

|HR6H COST Of cllPNens


Ss>esSAeeee
system deprives state ofacihls of all the
PROFITS of their jobs. members Of the
1915 legislature will seek the passage Of
q resolution calling for . constitutional
amendment to increase salaries OF all
elective state officers and members of
the state Legislature. A plan which has
been suggested would make the salar-
ieD Of all elective state officials, .ex-
cept governor. not leag than $4,000
y ar and would increase the pay Of
members Of the state legislature from
3 to IS day.
Since the enactment Of the state wide
primary law in Kansas. there has been
much complaint from stats officials re-
garding the expense Of campaigns.
Cost OF travelling expenses. advertising
me tier. postage and other expenses
have in many instances been equal to
the first years salary of the men elect
ed to state office under the present
system which compels the making Of
an active preprimary campaign for
the nomination and another fight In
the general election. Now there il q
sentiment In favor of a general increase
In salaries of all elective state officials.
Several years ago the legislature sub
mftted to the voters constitutional
provision calling for an increase in
the per diem of~the lawmakers. Every.
one knew that the legislature MEM
bers spent more money in Topeka
during the so day session than they re-
ceived for their service. So when the
friends of the trust the people" cause
in the legislature read the day after
election that the amendment had been
beaten. their confidence in the good
Judgment Of the voter received an aw-
full shock. sap
Appointive Jobs the Best.
Just now new argument is being
brought to bear to prove that there
should be a general increase in the
salaries Of elective state officials. One
of the strongest reasons for the In
crease is the fact that most OF the ap-
pointee Offices pay larger salaries than
do the elective offices. Still the cleo
tive candidate must bear the heavy
campaign expense, while the appoint
| i've oficial has no political expense ex-
cept perhaps very reasonable as
sessment at the hands Of the state conn
mittee. Last year the campaign as
se9sment was 8 per cent Of the annual
salary of the state house appointees.
Atspresent there 10 but one elective
state official who receives more than
$4,000 a year. That omcial IL the gov
year. The secretary Of state receives
i $4,000; auditor, $2,5o0; treasurer.
$3, 500; attorney general, 5000; sd
perintendent public Instruction,
$500; superintendent Insurance.,
$2,50O, and state printer, $2,5OO.
Those are the elective officers.
| Among the appointive officers, each
of the three members of the board o1
control receives $2.500 = year; banl,
commissioner, $500: each Of three
! members public utilities commission
/! $4,000 a year; state accountant
$2,500; architect, $4,000: each OF
three members tax commission
$2,500; state live stock sanitary COM
missioner, $2.50O: oil inspector
j $4,000; grain Inspector. $1,000. and
fish and game warden, $4,000.
It is with this comparison of sa1.
| aries that the 1915 legislature will b<
urged to lake action and increase the
pay checks to elective state officials
Such action will require only a major
ity vote in both branches Of the state
legislature.
But the pay for members Of the leg.
islature Is also remarkably small and
it is probable that when the salar,
question is dragged on the floor tha1
the law makers will signify a desift
to increase their own pay envelopes
To do this, however, would require /
constitutional amendment And II
that case two-thirds of the member
i of both houses would necessarily vots
for the resolution submitting thu
amendment to the people. In thu
election. a majority of all votes cas-
on the proposition would be necessar,