SALARY OF PROSECUTING ATTORNEYS.
The House resumed the consideration of the bill [H. R. 127] pending at the noon recess.
Mr. BUSKIRK--I do not think gentlemen opposing the bill understood it import. They did not treat the bill fairly in refusing to give me an opportunity to put it in as good a shape as possible. It grows out of the simple fact that there are anumber of men here so fearful that they will vote upon a provision that seeks to pay a man too large a salary. This bill is not got up particularly in the interest of prosecutors, especially those who were elected last fall. The tendency of the measure, if adopted would be in the interest of Justice by calling to the administration of that department a higher class of talent. Everybody knows that a good lawyer will not take the Prosecutor's and it is an exception when a good lawyer does accept it. Those now serving in that capacity are young men in the practice of law. If this law were to pass, a Prosecutor a decent salary, such as the men of average or good ability could make in the ordinary practice of law or medicine, there would be called to the administration of that office men of that class for which $500 a year would be a very small salary. It would save the County more than that amount in making unnecessary additional attorneys' fees.
Mr. FRAZER--While I am in favor of increasing the prosecuters' fees, there are other features of the bill which I consider objectionable. Therefore, I shall vote against it.
Mr. KENNER--Part of the bill I am in favor of, and the other part I consider objectionable. I would like to have had the bill referred and the objectionable features taken out. In its present condition I shall vote against it.
The bill was rejected--yeas, 13; nays, 69.
