The daily times., 1922-02-17
INCOME TAX OF JUDGES

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INCOME TAN OF JUDGES
Of course it is a small matter, and
one there should be very little hag-
Cling about, but the federal govern
ment exempts it's judges from pay
ing an income tax and why should
not the state OF North Carolina do
the same thing?
While it is true that the state in
creased the salary OF its judges from
$4,Utu 10 3o,o.u, ana allows them a
sum not exceeding $1,000 1or travel
ing expenses, yet it costs nearly ev-
cry judge on the circuits more than
$500 to defray his travelling ex-
penses.
The truth of the matter is that
every state officer is underpaid, when
the amount of ability and experience
are taken into account, and business
men of less ability are las a rule
making more money, and every
judge capable Of sitting on the bench
and handling the weighty decisions
that come before him, affecting the
protection of his people both in civil
and criminal causes, could make dou-
BILE the sum he receives from the
state if he were to confine his time
to private practice.
Brains, experience and ability
must be paid for in any line of en-
deavor, and if hue and cry is raised
regarding the small amount of money
paid our judges. in a way that shall
make them feel that their places are
put upon the low commercial plane
of exact remuneration for services
rendered, then what recompense is
there for them to desire to serve their
people without reward, or hope of
reward?
The truth of the matter is that the
present salary is not sufficient to
maintain our judges and their fami-
lies in manner commensurate with
the dignity of their position, and
yet for the honor of the place, and
the desire to be of service they ac-
cept the mandate and go forth to
serve. Service above self is the
modernday watchword, but if we do
not encourage that in the minister,
the jurist, and in every walk of life
we squeeze from life all that is near
and dear to us and place all activity
and all effort upon the low and cold
plane of commercialism and material
ism. We do not want to see our
southern people upon that plane, and
since the Interpretation and the exc
cution of the law should be above
that level, our judges should feel
that their efforts are not measured
in dollars and cents, but in terms of
service and they should receive a cor
responding measure of appreciation
from grateful people.
We are saying these things not so
much from a feeling that our judges
hesitate for one moment in paying
an income tax, but on account of
the fact that in some quarters we
see a disposition to ridicu1e Judge
Long simply because he is seeking
to stand upon his constitutional
rights, when he desires to ascertain
whether it is right and proper for
him to pay the state an income tax.
If it is right he wants TO pay it. If
it is not right he does not want to
pay it, An interpreter of the law,
he desires to follow the rule of
right. Can we blame him? He
would be less of a lawyer if he should
seek any other course. The truth
of the matter is, if an expression of
the law means anything it should be
followed. If the bars shall be let
down and every one shall interpret
the law according to his own sweet
will, then why have law? That is
the trouble with our courts today as
we see it. Some judges interpret the
law to- suit their own incfinations.