The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1921-01-26
House Cut Proposed In
crease By $1,000 for
Each Judge
EXTENDED DEBATE
WITH MANY IN 1T
Yea and Nay Vote Was $50
to 50 in Favor of $4,000
Instead Of $4,000

| The bill to increase the pay of thu
justices of the Vermont supreme court
| III. y met with reverses this morning
in the House 1t came in with ar
amendment to cut down the increase
from $4,000 to $4,000 for the chief jus
tice and $4,000 to $4,000 for the other
Judges Not satisfied with this cut, Mr.
Pollard of Cavendish introduced an
amendment to the amendment, cutting
down $500 more on each one, making il
500 for the the chief justice and $5,-
600 for the other judges. After heat
ed debate, in which nearly everybody
took hand, Mr. Pollard's amendment
was adopted by the first yea and nay
vote of the session, l66 to SO, and the
bill went to a third reading. The judges
are now getting $4 900 year.
Mr. Chase of Bennington, chairman
of the committee on state and court
expenses, gave thorough explanation
of the work which the committee had
done on this measure, when it came up
this morning. He told of the hearings
which have been held, of the appearance
of the justices before the committee,
of the investigations which have been
made, and of the final and unanimous
conclusion of the committee that the
judges are not getting a fair salary
and that the pay should be increased
as proyided for in the amendment,
while 1t was agreed that the bill giving
them retirement pension should be
reported adversely.
Mr.. Pollard of Cavendish then pro-
posed the amendment to the amend
ment cutting down the increases to S5,-
500 for the chief justice and 5000 for
the other judges, and asking for the
yeas and nays on the question.
Mr. Cushman of Rochester at once
took the floor in opposition to Mr. Pol
lard's amendment. He said that he had
hoped that the bill would 90 through
in its original form, but he was willing
to accept the committee amendment,
but not the other.
II seriously object TO having the
Judiciary OF Vermont measured by dol
lars and cents as you would measure
the shoeing of horse or a bushel Of
potatoes said Mr.. Cushman. "The
JUDICIARY is the only safeguard of your
and mine. believe that If
we accept the committee report of this
bill and pass the measure, our constitu-
ents say to us when we go home: You
have taught us TO respect that depart
ment of government which is more
sacred than all else II will dignity
you and the state of Vermont to do
this"
iIr. Dyer of Salisbury, a House vet
pran, also upheld the committee re-
port. He said in part; II, as red.
blooded Vermonter, am proud of the
courts of the state of Vermont. / know
that the Judges are under paid and
have suggested long before this that
heir pay be increased | hope the
House will 90 on record TO place the
of this state in a position to
get fair compensation for their serv-
ces."
Dan o'Brien of South Burlington,
retcran of six former sessions, arose
md said: Il agree with the gentle
nan from Salisbury | want to 20 on
'ecord in support Of the committees
,ill."
Mr.. Ballou Of Chester favored Mr.. |
amendment, cutting down the |
Increase. He said that we must "cut !
'ur garment in accordance with the
10th which we have" He said that we |
i've in a small commonwealth, which /
las not increased in population more
han $4,000 in 80 years. We are in
population only in the class with the
econd rate cities of the country and
We should do things as carefully and
as possible.
To-day is the day for retrenchment
nd economy" said Mr. Ballou, II see
n this bill an entering wedge. If we
ay those at the top more money, why
ot pay those at the bottom more al
o" His remarks were greeted with
eavy applause, showing the sentiment
the House.
Mr.. Flint of Norfeld said that he
ad been teaching his classes at Nor
-ich university that the judge is the
lost important officer Of the govern
rent, more important than the man
-ho is concerned with education or
ublic health The legislature might Il
e corrupt, he said, but If the Judiciary
above reproach, the state is saved.
Ir. Flint urged strongly that the com
.ittee report be backed by The House. ,