The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1915-09-12
PENSIONS FOR JUDGES
!. VIGOROUSLY OPPOSED
Sentiment Gathsring Force Against
Building Up Civil Pension
ere' List.
THE .ALBEMARLE RESOLUTIONS.
OpPosation to Measure Takes Tang iblc
rorm-Fears Expressed That II
once Started There Would BE No
End to Creation OF Bencficiarics.

From present indications vigorous
opposition to the law passed by the
last General Assembly providing that
judges OF the State Supreme Court
who have reached the age OF seventy
years and who have served in that
capacity for twelve years shall be al
lowed to retire from active service on
waged in the next meeting of the
State Legislature.
There has always been opposition
In this State to the creation OF a roll
Of pensioners. who have served the
State In any capacity EXCEPT as
soldiers. The opposition to a civil
service pension system Is widespread
and 10 based probably on the fear tina,
once the thing was started no one
could tell where It would end.
This opposition is taking tangible
form In series of resolutions known
- the "Albemarle Resolutions" which
were drawn up and adopted at a mass
meeting OF citizens, politicians and Of
nceholoers. recently held in Albemarle
county. These resolutions not only at
JACK the pension law referred to
above, but criticize the recently en-
acted semi-segregation tax laws, as
sail the banking interests Of the
State for the part they played in the
enactment OF the new tax law and
refer unsparingly to other matters of
Importance.
Some of these matters particularly
the new tax law and the Supreme
Court judges pension law were made
issues IN the recent primary. and in
last case the supporters OF those meas
ures were elected TO the General AS
sembly. Undeterred by these defeats.
opponents OF these new laws expect
TO carry the fight into the House of
Delegates aHd-t the Senate as soon as
the session opens.
Two Judges OF the Supreme Court
are In line for the pension at an early
date. Judge James keith's term of
ONCE expires on the last day Of Janu-
AIRY, 1917. and George NJ. Harrison
an associate justice. viii complete. his
term In January. 1919.
To enjoy the pension Judges must
refrain from the active practice of
law after retiring.
The salary of Supreme Court
Judge Is $4,000 year. and opponents
Of the pension law are OF the opinion
that out of that salary the Judge
and retirement.
The "Albemarie Resolutions" In
pamphlet form. are being scattered
broadcast over the State, and every
member OF the incoming Legislature
will get copies and additional informa-
ton from members OF the Alhemarie
organization.
The following section, touching on
the pension law. will convey some
idea as TO. the tenor OF the whole
-Ser.ex OF resolutions.
1T has always been held in Virginia
that while the State would appropriate
money for the care Of objects OF char
ity, II woAbd never establish civil
service pension roll 1t has always
been held tirat every man IF vigor and
ability should take thought for the
future and provide for his support in
his old age. The last Legislature for
the first time in the history OF the
State. passed bill beginning this civil
service pension, In favor of members
OF the Supreme Court. perhaps the
highest paid officials In the State. who
took their offices with full knowledge
of its emoluments Whenever a vac
Ancy occurs on the bench there are al
Ways plenty Of lawyers willing and
anxious TO be elected Supreme Court
Judge II Supreme Court judges are
To be pensioned. how many worthy
and deserving employees Of the state
and localities are entitled also 10 go
on the civil pension list"