The Empire County argus., 1854-11-04


in order that our readers may consider the causes
which have distracted and sown confusion in its
ranks to an alarming extent.
FEES IN OFFIcE.--One of the duties devolving
upon the next Legislature will he to cut down the
enormous fees of some of the County officers. 1t is
currently reported that the income of some of those
in this County amounts to the large of one hun
dred and fifty thousand dollars per annum This
seems so enormous that it almost staggprs belief
If it be but onc-hrd of that amount it is still five
times as great it should be We believe our Coun-
ty Recorder is very worthy and honest officer vet
it is not to be expected that he will willingly frego
any portion of the fees ofoce which the law allows
him But we may. and do. question the justice and
wisdom of the law which allows him. any one
else, to receive more than ten thousand dollars a
year for services which almost any man can per-
form. So of other officers.
Two or three years ago a bill passed the Senate
making it obligatory upon all State and County Of
fcers to pay over to the Treasury all sums arising
as fees of Office beyond ten thousand dollars That
amount was considered sufficient pay. The bill
went to the Assembly and was smothered there So
the same old system prevails. In some instances
and particulars. the fees have been mdified But
in most cases. we believe Others in some forms have
been created, the result of which is that the people
are taxed as much before for the same amount of
Offices increase. the gross amount of income to the
Offices is increased in proportion.
Now every dollar of these immense perquisitps
beyond fair salary, is much extortrd from the
people cxtorted not so much by the officer. by
the negligence or dishonesty of the Legislature which
allows such glarng enormites to exist without at
tempting to remedy them BY what right are the
people taxed fifty thousand dollars in the form of
fees to a single officer when one-ifh of that sum is
enough The forty thousand dollars extra is so
much robbed from those who cannot help them
selves. The individuals who go to make up the
puplic are each laid under contribution for the pur
pose of enriching one. salary of ten thousand
dollars per annum a handsome and generous sal.
ary for the labor of putting ones signature to doc
uments prepared by clerks.
The present laws which allow the huge incomes
of some officers must be repealed. Public opinion
demands it. The public good demands it The bait
which such unreasOnably large perqusiteS offers
too tempting for ofce-seekerS merely to nibhle at
They have become in elections the great stake
for the attainment of which every thing else must
be sacrificed For an Office the income of which
is hundred thousand dollars the candidate can
afford to give. if he have it, fifty thousand dollars
for nomination and election. And in community
where there are many political blacklegs VIII"
will hire themselves to anybody. and do anything
for money. what will not fifty thousand dollars ef
feet And what chance for one of those Offices
has a poor man, no matter how competent. htlng
and honest
But besides this view, there are others quite as
Objectionable The scramble for the rich Offices.
such Recorders. County Clerks, and others be-
comes gamble where the others are thrown like
dice. Members of the Legislature become the small
change in the game. The candidates for the pay
ing Offices barter away. to the extent of their pow
er all others whenever votes may be obtained by 80
doing. These heavy incomes thus the greatest
enemies to the public welfare And ifthey are not
filed now by those least deservng-which we are
happy to say is not the in some instances yet
it is scarcely possible that such will not be the re-
suit hereafter if the policy negligence
tinues The most reckless will risk most. and most
likely succeed
An Office should have a salary fees enough in
sured to command sufficient ability in the occupant
But it should not be great as to make it a huge
bet for which the most uniting and unworthy will
be most likely to gamble. Offices should not be
created for the good of the incumbent. but for the
good of the people The reverse seems. and is. the
practice in this State. They are created for that
purpose The salaries and fees are made just as
extravagantly high as it is thought the public will
bear. And if in any respect they are reduced.
others are created by which the aggregate amount
is pretty sure to be maintained. Is this to endure
much longer! Or will the next Legislature apply
the knife, and thus immortalize itsef.-S. F. Chr0-
nicle