Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-02-11
SALARIES AND FEES

Senator Harrington Of Kennebec in q
most able and dignified manner con-
Quoted the hearing before the commit
tee on salaries and fees Thursday af-
ternoon on the act to increase the
salaries of the justices of the supreme
judicial court from 5000 to 5000 per
annum. He spoke of the increased
| cost of living and declared that the
salary was not anywhere near COM
mensurate with the position. He said
| that as far as he knew now he would
not appear before this committee in
favor of any other bill at this SEES,
sion OF the Legislature.
Rep. Hinckley of South Portland
also spoke in favor of Increasing the
salary of the justices. He said that
there are probably not many outside
of the legal fraternity who appreciate
the Importance of the supreme court.
1T is disgrace to the State Of
Maine to ask judges to serve for a
salary which will not pay their living
expenses" said Rep. Hinckley. He
said further that justices must keep
up proper appearance and that the
salary at present is absolutely made
quate.
Ex-senator John 2. Deering of Saco,
in speaking for the bin, said that he
appeared as practising attorney. He
had understood that two members of
the bench were considering the ques-
ton of resigning because of the small
salary paid. He said in reply to a
question from Chairman Folsom Of
1fot
Hale Of the United States district
court received a salary of $500 and
Judge Charles F. johnson of the Unit
ed States Circuit court salary OF
$500 per annum.
State Librarian Henry E. Dunnack
stated that he thought that he knew
something of the work of the justices
OF the supreme judicial court through
the library and he thought that they
were greatly underpaid. in fact, their
salaries were smaller than those paid
in other states. He thought that this
bill would meet with the approval of
all the people of the State.
Ex-senator Cyrus ". Blanchard Of
Pennington. one of the leading menu
bers Of the Franklin County Bar also
spoke good word in favor of the bill.
Rep. Hussey OF Blaine spoke in ia
vor of increasing the salary of the
judge of the Houlton municipal court
to $1,000 per year and that of the re-
corder of the same court to $500 per
year. Rep. Hussey said that the bust
ness OF this court had doubled since
it was established 10 years ago. Will
liam s. Levin of Houlton. a member
of the Aroostook bar, also spoke In
favor Of the increase for the Judge
and recorder.
Cyrus N. Blanchard of Wilton spoke
in favor Of the bill increasing the
salary of the judge of the Pennington
municipal court to $500 per year. Judge
Sumner p. Mills also spoke in favor
of the increase. saying that since he
assumed Office seven months ago he
had handled ss criminal cases.
I'VE have violations of the volstead
act in Franklin county to attend to as
we'll as In Aroostook,," said Judge
Mills.
What do you do with the rum that
is seized" asked Rep. Rounds Of Port
land. member of the committee.
"Why. the sheriff takes care of
that replied Judge Mills.
Alton c. Wheeler of South Paris.
George A. Hutchins OF Mexico and Rep.
Carroll of Norway spoke in favor of
increasing the salary OF the sheriff of
Oxford county from $500 to $500 per
annum. They spoke of the great abiI-
ity OF the present sheriff, Harry d.
Cole, and that the position should pay
the amount contemplated in the bill.
Walter L. Gray OF South Paris spoke
in favor of the bill to increase the
salary OF the clerk OF courts of Ok
ford county from $500 to 5000 per
year and to increase the amount of
clark hire in the office Of the clerk of
courts for that county from 500 to $500
per annum. Mr.. Gray said that the
clerk was not able to be present at
the meeting before the committee be-
cause of the fact that court was now