Mr.  Dickey  —  Mr.  Chairman,  as  the  Republican  party  on  the  first
of  January  next  is  to  take  charge  of  the  government  of  this  State,
both  in  the  Legislature  and  the  Governor,  and,  if  the  only  Demo-
crats who  will  then  be  left  in  office  will  be  the  few  who  are  on  com-
missions and  who  will  hold  over,  I  think  we  had  better  let  them
remain  in  office.
Mr.  Hotchkiss  —  Will  the  gentleman  give  way?  Is  this  con-
dition that  the  gentleman  refers  to  to  be  brought  about  by  any
constitutional  amendment?

Mr.  Dickey  —  The  gentleman  does  not  understand  me.  I  am
trying  to  leave  a  few  Democrats  in  office  at  that  time,  and,  there-
fore, am  opposed  to  this  amendment.
The  Chairman  —  The  question  is  on  Mr.  Veeder's  amendment.
Mr.  Dean  —  Mr.  Chairman,  I  desire  to  say  in  reply  to  Mr.  May-
bee's  argument  in  support  of  paying  public  officials  by  assessing
private  corporations,  the  expense  of  this  Railroad  Commission  is
paid  by  the  railroads,  and,  at  a  hearing  before  the  committee  which
has  reported  this  amendment,  we  were  practically  told  that  this  is  a
matter  which  did  not  concern  the  people,  because  its  work  is  done
in  common  with  the  railroads.  I  desire  to  call  attention  to  the  fact
that  these  commissioners  are  paid  $8,000  a  year  each,  including
transportation.
The  Chairman  —  The  question  is  on  Mr.  Veeder's  amendment.
The  amendment  was  lost.
The  Chairman  —  The  question  is  now  on  the  original  motion  of
Mr.  Dean.
Mr.  Dean  —  That  motion  was  withdrawn.
