Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1919-02-21
SALARY INCREASE DEBATE.
Senate Discusses Ways of Getting
Around Constitution.

Around Constitution.
The senate after interesting little
discussion last Tuesday, according to
| the Columbia correspondent of the
News and Courier voted against in
creasing the salaries of members OF the
general assembly. Upon the sugges-
| ton of Seuator YPoung the senate
went on recordof recognizing the val
idity and propriety of Senator j. n.
Johnson's continuing to represent
Barnwell county from which county
he was eelected state senator. IL SO
happens that he is now living in Allen
dale county. part of which came from
old Barnwell county in the organiza-
tion of this new territory, at this ses-
sion.
| The salary bill came up Senator Nc
Coll heartily opposed paying supreme
court justices $1,500 each on condltlon
that they lived in Columbia He held
that in effect the proposition was an
illegal and unconstitutional EFFORT 10
increase the salaries Of the Justices.
He favored the increase, but wanted
| it open and above board.
| Senator Hough opposed dong lndl-
rectly what was direcly prohibited by
the constitution and indirectly raise
salaries.
/ SENATOR
the propoSed increase and necessity
/ for more pay Tor the justice VI lhe SUI
| preme court.
Senator Laney held that the allow
ance for expense Is entirely legal ana
constitutional. It Is not forbidden IN
the constitution.
Senator Miller proposed an amend
ment that the justice must remain IN
| Columbia for consultation.
| There was a long discussion of what
was the proper legal definition or eX-
penses" and whether such compensa-
ton was an Expense" or not.
| Senator Alan Johnstone thougnt
there was force in Mr.. McColrs argu-
ment and he thought the situation
now changed because of the change
of the plan Of allowing the expense.
| The original plan was to allow ST.
600 TO such of the justice who lives In
Columbia, which would encourage and
bring more grequent and actuaf con-
ferences Of the supreme court pus-
tices The amendment today was 10
allow each S1,500 'for permitting the
members of the surpremec court op-
portunity for conference and consuita-
tion for a period of ninety days 1l1 SO
much time be required) In the city OF
columbia succeeding term or recess
There was an amendment that
lmoiority of the court attend the con-
sultations. =, IN
The senate by vote of 26 to l0'
ladonted the Clifton amendment to al
low the s1,50O for the. justice to re:
Imain in Columbia for the purpose OF
lconsultation. The idea is to fix the
salary at $4,000 with the $1,000 and
ls4,5O0 for newly elected supreme
court justices. 49,,
| Senator Purdy moved to increase, the
nav for members of the general as
sembly to $500 each. The pay now Is
5000. The present pay he regarded as
insufficient and will be feared, prlns
rich men to the assembly:
to now raise members salaries. The
nav was insufficient, but at this time
it would be unfortunate to make tnls
increase.
Senator Black held this was place
of honor and not money-maKlng pro-
, position. Members knew what pa!
.hey were to expect. He did not come
here for the salary, but was mere &c
serve his people.
,l Senator Bonham urged that the peo-
pie did not expect members to sacrlnce
both time and money. He favored aue-
quate payment and $500 was htue
enough.
n senator Banks thought the increase
even if wise should not be done. IT
this way. He believed in fair pay, but
he was opposed to members tackine
, on to a bill which was intended te
raise other salaries.
The amendment was defeated 81 tc
Ia.
: Senator Watkins wanted solicitors
) and stenographers all fixed at S2,0ol
; each. After very much discussion tne
senate declined to vote for the amend
ment. The senate finally voted to fix
) the salary to colitors at $2,4OO and
stenographers at s2,100. There were
!, several efforts at compromise, but the
senate insited on the committee
, amendment s2,400 for solicitors and
} S2,100 for stenographers.