Should officers of the executive be paid a salary?

OCR: 1 cited passage(s) are machine-read (OCR) text of old printings; quotations reproduce the stored OCR text, misreadings included.

1. WHAT HE SAID (the record)

Record ledger

• BELIEF (1766-02-03): Benjamin Franklin believed that assemblies would not refuse to raise necessary supplies to support government, as such an action would lack common sense and lead to disorder. He also argued that assemblies had refused to settle permanent salaries on governors by ministerial instructions, but he did not believe any assembly had refused to support government by proper allowances. "I think there was never any such case at New York, and that it must be a misrepresentation, or the fact must be misunderstood... I know there have been some attempts, by ministerial instructions from hence, to oblige the assemblies to settle permanent salaries on governors, which they wisely refused to do; but I believe no assembly of New York, or any other colony, ever refused duly to support government by proper allowances, from time to time, to public officers." [1]
• BELIEF (1770-12-30): Benjamin Franklin believed that officers of the executive should be paid a salary, as he thought he had a right to the salary from the office he held because he had improved its state and performed his duties faithfully. He also mentioned that before his time, the office did not produce the salary annexed to it. (key quote above) [2]
• BELIEF (1771-02-05): Benjamin Franklin believed that making governors and some other officers independent of the people for their support was an intention that would be persisted in if American revenue was sufficient to defray the salaries. He also thought that even if there were no such revenue, the money should issue out of the British treasury, though he doubted this would happen due to domestic demands and the immense sum required for colonial officers' salaries. (key quote above) [3]
• BELIEF (1771-06-10): Benjamin Franklin believed that paying salaries to the king's officers in America was not objectionable in principle, as it was seen as the king's right to pay his own servants. However, he expressed concerns that such salaries might breed suspicion and could not be relied upon to prevent corruption or influence, as avarice is insatiable and good economy is necessary for effectiveness. [4]
• BELIEF (1772-01-13): Benjamin Franklin believes that paying governors a salary from the assemblies, regardless of their conduct, is impolitic and may encourage governors to act against the province's interests. He argues that the power to withhold salary should be used to maintain influence with the governor. "Indeed, the making it a rule among ourselves, that the governor is to have his salary from our assemblies, though his public conduct should be wilfully and maliciously prejudicial to the province, has the same tendency, of which the conduct of Governor Bernard, while he was constantly and regularly paid by us, is a considerable proof;" [5]
• ACTION (undated): Benjamin Franklin recommended that officers of the executive be paid a salary. The passage shows this through the proposed salaries for the Governor, Chief-Justice, Assistant Judges, and other officers in the proposed colony of Vandalia. "To the Governor £1,000 To the Chief-Justice 500 To the Assistant Judges 400 To the Attorney-General 150 To the Clerk of the Assembly 50 To the Secretary 200 To the two Ministers 200 £2,500" [6]
• BELIEF (1774-02-15): Benjamin Franklin believed that officers of the executive should not be paid a salary, but rather commissions, as he explains that the ministers seem to intend to hold out an example that officers not corrupted by their office to promote the measures of administration would not be continued, implying that payment by commission rather than salary could prevent corruption. "the officers being paid commissions instead of salaries, the ministers seem to intend, by directing me to be displaced on this occasion, to hold out to them all an example, that if they are not corrupted by their office to promote the measures of administration, though against the interests and rights of the colonies, they must not expect to be continued." [7]
• ACTION (undated): Benjamin Franklin recommended sending officers to superintend the collection of taxes who are 'the most indiscreet, ill-bred, and insolent' and who are to be paid large salaries out of the extorted revenue. This shows that he suggested paying officers of the executive a salary, albeit as part of a strategy to provoke resistance. "send from the capital a board of officers to superintend the collection, composed of the most indiscreet, ill-bred, and insolent you can find. Let these have large salaries out of the extorted revenue" [8]
• BELIEF (undated): Benjamin Franklin believed that officers of the executive should not be paid high salaries, as he argued that in America, much of the public business is done gratis and that the honor of serving the public ably and faithfully is deemed sufficient. "In America, salaries, where indispensable, are extremely low; but much of the public business is done gratis. The honor of serving the public ably and faithfully is deemed sufficient." [9]
• ACTION (undated): Benjamin Franklin recommended that all judges in the king's colony governments be appointed during good behavior and paid by the province. This shows that he supported the idea of paying officers of the executive or judicial branch a salary, as part of a broader plan for union between Great Britain and her colonies. "All judges in the king's colony governments to be appointed during good behavior, and to be paid by the province, agreeable to article seventh." [10]

What cuts against it

• The contrary-evidence entries are already in the record ledger above: [1], [2], [5].

2. HOW IT APPLIES (reasoning; inference is marked)

1. Benjamin Franklin expressed disapproval of paying salaries to the executive branch, believing it would lead to factional struggles and corruption. "I think I see Inconveniences in the Appointment of Salaries ; I see none in refusing them, but on the contrary great Advantages." [11]

2. He believed that making governors and some other officers independent of the people for their support was an intention that would be persisted in if American revenue was sufficient to defray the salaries. (key quote above) [3]

3. He argued that in America, much of the public business is done gratis and that the honor of serving the public ably and faithfully is deemed sufficient. "In America, salaries, where indispensable, are extremely low; but much of the public business is done gratis. The honor of serving the public ably and faithfully is deemed sufficient." [9]

4. He recommended that all judges in the king's colony governments be appointed during good behavior and paid by the province. "All judges in the king's colony governments to be appointed during good behavior, and to be paid by the province, agreeable to article seventh." [10]

5. He believed that paying salaries to the king's officers in America was not objectionable in principle, as it was seen as the king's right to pay his own servants. However, he expressed concerns that such salaries might breed suspicion and could not be relied upon to prevent corruption or influence. [4]

3. HIS TAKE

Record coverage: PARTIAL

The record is silent on whether officers of the executive should be paid a salary in the context of a modern government. However, from his statements, it is clear that Franklin was concerned about the potential for corruption and factionalism that could arise from the payment of salaries to executive officers. He believed that in America, much of the public business could be done gratis and that the honor of serving the public was sufficient. However, he also supported the idea of paying salaries to certain officers, such as judges, as part of a broader plan for governance.

Extrapolation: Given his concerns about corruption and the potential for factionalism, it is likely that Benjamin Franklin would have supported a system where executive officers are paid a salary, but with safeguards to prevent abuse and ensure accountability. He would likely have emphasized the importance of public service and the need for officers to be motivated by a sense of duty rather than personal gain.

Competing readings: One reading is that Franklin was against the payment of salaries to executive officers due to concerns about corruption and factionalism. Another reading is that he supported the payment of salaries to certain officers, such as judges, as part of a broader plan for governance. The record itself supports both readings, as he expressed both views in different contexts.

Confidence: Moderate

The confidence is moderate because the record supports both readings, and the question concerns a modern context that Franklin did not address directly. The sources are from old editions, and the evidence is mixed, with some passages supporting the idea of paying salaries and others expressing concerns about it.