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Mr. Walsh then moved to make the salary $3, 500 for
the judges of Baltimore city.
Mr. Dobbin said this was a very distasteful subject for
him to engage in. He knew that some members were
prone to insinuate that the lawyers were fixing soft places
for themselves. The city of Baltimore paid more than
one-half the taxes of the State, had nearly half the popu-
lation and more than half the litigation, and yet the Con-
vention was about to fix a sum for the judicial system of
Baltimore less than one-half the sum appropriated for
the counties. By the rule of proportion, even, the salaries
in Baltimore ought to be $4, 500.
The judiciary of Baltimore was important to the whole
State. Much depended on the vote of Baltimore, and yet
in political cases some question may be decided that will
change the vote of the whole State by reason of having
some inefficient, half-starving judge. He asked, would
members disparage the judiciary so, simply to go home
and make capital by talking about economy. The State
is entitled to her best talent, and such salaries as are
proposed exclude the poor man from the bench.
Mr. Walsh said the Convention seemed to think large
salaries only increased the scramble for place and filled
the bench with demagogues. He was in favor of high
salaries, but the Convention had decided otherwise and,
therefore, the sums asked for Baltimore city would be out
of all proportion.
Mr. Gill said there were many of the city delegation ab-
sent, and he hoped no vote would be taken tonight.
The amendment of Mr. Walsh was then adopted.
The Convention then, at 11. 20 P. M., adjourned.
SIXTY-NINTH DAY.
ANNAPOLIS, SATURDAY, AUGUST 10.
Convention met at 10 o'clock. Prayer by Rev. Mr.
Leech.
On motion of Mr. Buchanan, it was ordered to be en-
tered on the journal that had he (Mr. B. ) been present
when the vote was taken yesterday on the motion of Mr.
Marbury to strike out the 37th section of the legislative
report prohibiting the Legislature from making compen-
437
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