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Mr. Barry said if gentlemen were resolved to strike
down the salary of the prosecuting attorney of the city
of Baltimore, the State of Maryland would be a sufferer
by it.
Mr. Gill was very much surprised at the remarks of the
gentleman from Washington county, (Mr. Syester. ) The
gentleman evidently did not understand the duties of this
office in the city of Baltimore. He had never occupied the
position himself, but his brother, now deceased, who was
his law partner, had occupied it, and although it was
twenty years ago, the duties of the position had kept him
constantly employed, and the duties of the office had
largely increased since then. He was as much in favor
of economy as any one, but did not think the spirit, of
economy would be subserved by reducing this salary.
Mr. Stoddert asked if there was no public spirit in the
city of Baltimore, that no one would take this position
unless for dollars and cents? In his county the lawyers
were considered the largest tax gatherers.
Mr. Denson called for the yeas and nays on the motion
to insert $3, 500, as he wanted to see how Baltimore city
voted.
Mr. Ford said the sonorous voice and mellifluous tones
of the gentleman from Washington county, (Mr. Syester, )
had frightened the Convention somewhat out of its pro-
priety. Although a member of the committee, the gen-
tleman had so frightened him, (Mr. Ford. ) that he voted
to strike out $5, 000. But there was no reason why mem-
bers should object to giving this officer in Baltimore a
fair salary. He would say, and the people of St. Mary's
would say to the people of Baltimore, elect a proper man
and pay him a proper salary. It would be found that
most of the fees arising from this office in Baltimore came
out of the pockets of the criminals who were prosecuted.
Mr. Wickes had at first been in favor of the report of
the committee, but as it was a matter which concerned
the city of Baltimore alone, and as her delegation seemed
to be divided on the subject and some of them to be of
the opinion that $3, 000 was enough he had resolved to
vote for that amount. He did not advocate it, but if this
salary was reduced to $1, 000 (he had not the slightest
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