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nite conclusion, but he could state that the prevailing
opinion was that the election for judges should be held
on a day different from all other State elections.
The amendment was then adopted.
Section 7 was read and passed over without amend-
ment.
Section 8, in relation to the salaries of State's Attor-
neys, was read.
Mr. Carter moved to strike out $5, 000 and insert $3, 000.
Mr. Barry hoped his friend, who knew so well the on-
erous duties of the position of State's Attorney in Balti
more city, would not press his amendment. It was im-
possible to have the duties of this office efficiently per-
formed for a salary of $3, 000. The committee, in raising
the salary, had been actuated by the motive of getting
a member of the bar who was competent to fill the posi-
tion, and who would be willing to give up some of his
other practice, and who would be beyond the reach of
temptation. The Criminal Court was in session a great
part of the year, it was obliged, by law, to sit every Sat-
urday—and there were many gentlemen who came into
that court and made more than $3, 000 by defending crim-
inals alone. A former occupant of this position had been
indicted for malfeasance in office, and one of the excuses
alleged for not properly accounting for the fees was the
insufficienty of compensation.
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Mr. Carter said the position was a field—an opening
wedge—and $3, 000 per annum, with the advantages it
conferred, was ample compensation. The opportunity to
young men for the display of their abilities, and the field
it opened up to them, with the $3, 000 salary, was enough,
and with the assistant, at $1, 500 per, annum, it was suffi-
cient compensation. He did not doubt that gentlemen
went into the Criminal Court and made $5, 000 or $10, 000,
but they were men of mature judgment and age.
Mr. Archer, though assenting to this report as a mem-
ber of the committee, should vote for the amendment, as
it came from a member of the Baltimore bar. The pro-
vision could only apply to the city of Baltimore, and if
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206
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