§ 173-a. Power of supreme court justices in Erie county to appoint a secretary and junior secretaries to such justices. The justices of the supreme court residing in Erie county, or a majority of them, may appoint and at pleasure remove and prescribe the duties of a secretary and two junior secretaries to said justices who shall receive such compensation as may be fixed by the board of supervisors of such county. Such compensation shall be a charge against such county and shall be paid by the treasurer thereof in semi-monthly installments.