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The report of the committee on the judiciary was taken
up, the section under consideration being the 24th, rela-
tive to the salaries of the judges.
The question was first taken on the report of the com-
mittee fixing the salaries of the chief judges at $5, 000,
which was disagreed to; yeas 18, nays 75..
The question was then taken on the amendment of Mr.
Merrick, placing the salaries of the chief judges at $4, 000,
which was lost; yeas 47, nays 48.
The question was then taken on the amendment of Mr.
Mitchell, placing the salaries of the chief judges at $3, 000,
which was lost by a tie vote—48 to 48.
Mr. Maulsby took the floor and advocated the placing
of the salaries at a reasonable amount and maintained
that it would not add to the taxation.
Mr. King-gold replied to Mr. Maulsby.
Mr. Garey asked what right had these gentlemen from
the small counties to endeavor to lower the salaries of the
judges for the city of Baltimore and the larger counties.
The facts showed that these counties paid nothing into
the treasury for the support of the judiciary, and it was
not fair that they should attempt to control a matter in
which they had no interest.
Mr. Mitchell was the peer of any gentleman on this
floor, and was responsible only to his God and his con-
science for any course which he thought fit to pursue.
He had equal rights on this floor with any member, and
his action was not to be called into question.
The salary of the chief judge was finally placed at
$3, 750, by a vote of 50 to 46.
Mr. Barry eloquently advocated the propriety of plac-
ing the salaries of the justices at such a rate as to induce
fit men to accept positions on the bench. There was no
member of the high and ennobling profession to which he
belonged who was in good practice who could not make
more than the amount at which it was proposed to place
the compensation.
The salaries of the associate judges were then placed
at $2, 750 by a vote of 49 to 46.
395
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