Commonwealth of Massachusetts. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, Feb. 20, 1845. The Committee on Matters of Probate and Chancery, to whom was referred the petition of the Register of Probate for the County of Suffolk, praying for an increase of his salary, have attended to that subject, and ask leave respectfully to REPORT: When the system of fees was abolished in the probate offices, in 1823, the salary of the Register for the county of Suffolk was established by law at $2000. This continued to be the annual salary of this officer until 1843, when it was reduced to $1500. During all this period of ten years, the Register paid out, annually, for necessary clerk hire, the sum of $950. The same clerks, with the same compensation, were continued by the present incumbent until his salary was reduced, in 1843, when he was compelled to reduce the amount of assistance and the compensation allowed therefor. But he still continues to pay, annually, the sum of $600 for a regular clerk,-also the further sum of $200, for extra clerk hire, together with the sum of $50, for stationery, used in the office, by the public, who transact business there. These expenses, which, the Committee are fully satisfied, cannot be avoided or diminished, amount to $850, and, deducted from the present salary of this officer, leave him the net receipt of $650. The Committee add to this the sum of $175, which is received annually for copies made in the office, and they then find the entire net salary of this officer to be $825 per annum, for a service requiring his whole time. When the salary was fixed at $2000, in 1823, the population of Boston was not far from 45,000. It is now rising of 100,000, while the increase of business in this office, by reason of the enlargement of the probate jurisdiction, and from other causes, has been even in greater proportion than the growth of population. To the above, the Committee need but add, that the amount of property in course of administration ranges from $3,000,000 to $5,000,000: that the number of probate courts holden in the year is not less than 45: and that about 2000 decrees and orders must be issued annually and it seems to the Committee that a case is presented which calls for an increase of compensation. If the probate system is worth anything to the people of the Commonwealth, the Committee are of the opinion that its security and certainty should be sought, by the Legislature, by making sufficient compensation for the service, which requires talent, industry, integrity and fidelity. They, therefore, recommend, that three hundred dollars be added to the present salary of this officer, and accordingly report a Bill. For the Committee, A. H. BULLOCK. Commonwealth of Massachusetts. In the Year One Thousand Eight Hundred and FortyFive. AN ACT To establish the Salary of the Register of Probate for the County of Suffolk. BE it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives, in General Court assembled, and by the authority of the same, as follows: 1 SECT. 1. From and after the first day of April 2 next, the Register of Probate for the County of Suf3 folk shall receive an annual salary of eighteen hun4 dred dollars, to be paid in quarterly payments out of 5 the treasury of the Commonwealth. 1 SECT. 2. All acts inconsistent with the provisions 2 of this act, are hereby repealed. |