The Attorney General's Salary

Lanstog, March 10, 1897 To the Voters of Michigan: The legislatura of this state, by a practically unanimous vote, and without party división, has yoted to amend the constitution of this state, so that hereafter the Attorney (eneral shall reside at the capítol during his otlicial term and give all of his time and strength to the duties of his oflice. In return for this work they have said that he shall receive three' thousand live hundred dollars ($3,500) a year, nstead of eight hundred, which was put in the constitution nearly 50 years ago, with the understanding that as there was then little for the Attorney General (o do. he could give nearly all of his time to his own business. I approve of this amendment, and now that it has been submitted to you for the purpose of determining whether you will ratify and approve that which your representatives liave already done, I desire to address you in advocacy of this amendment, by'using the strongest language that 1 can cominand. As your (iovernor. chosen by you to execute the laws, 1 am anxious to do so to best of my ability. But on a moment.'s reñection, you will see that it is absolutely necessáry, if any work is to be done whieh has for its object the defense of your rights and the protection of your interests, that the time of the Attorney (eneral must be taken up. His place is here at the capitol. But it is wrong to ask that this service be performed, unless soine provisión is made for his pay. Unless joh, as voters of this state, are willing to ratify this amendment, then one of three things must follow: Either that no attempt shall be made to protect your interests. or that the Attorney (eneral must work practically for nothing, or the custotn be continued of hiring outside attorney s and paying them liberally for doing the work which you elect the Attorney General to perform. The simple fact is, as shown by the oliicial records, you have ]aid out for this service, on in average, much more per year than the amount named in tliis amendment. What the state of Michigan luis lost by reanon of its refusal to pay a decent salar; to a good attorney, ho man. can teil; in my judgin ent i would run into the millions. The proposed amendment would cost the average taxpayer so much less than a cent a year tbat it would be diflicult to compute. In the interest then, of good government.in the interest of economy, and as one determined, so far as I can, to protect and defend your rights, I ask yon to vote "Yts"on the proposition to amend the constitution as submitted to you. Verv resnectfullv.