, 1860-09-20
OF 4UUnTx uREICEIxS.

4Ae u6aI ApPloatA " kHe 0a5 'ot AotAsA@-ANb
members of the Legislature reminds lis that
very important question touching the pay OF
the oflicers Of Cook county ought now 10 en-
gag: TIC attention Of tho yo:e1s. T. at
pay, IN the case Of tho Sheriff, the
Clerk Of the Circnit Court, the Clerk Of tie
Board Of Supervisors, and the Treasurer, is
enormous, and should be greatly reduced
Doubtless the compensation received by these
olli:srs las tezn good deal exaggerated by
runor and downright lyirg; but it is certain
that is out Of MI proportion to what business
or professional men OF msster mechanics re-
ccive for their time, as well as much greater
than theae officers could hopefor in auY place
where their Fay was measured by the worth
Of their services. But be the sum greater or
Ea:ler, il is time for . 1elcEm to be instituted
and for the people to be relieved Of the direct
aud Indirect ta1ason required 10 make up tho
sums that these officials annually lay by-
Tho plan which las been proposed, TO pay
each Of these cfEicers salary inst:ad Of fees,
is, il desirable, imprac.icab!c, becausc i'll case
Of the Clerk Of tho Circuit Court at lesst, the
Constitution Of The State quires tha: lis pay
shall be by fees, sud we d. not clearly see how
the Sheriff, whose business this month msy
riqu:re Two, aad next month, ten deputies, can
well bo paid fixed salary, aca at the satno
time insure the prompt execution ol his duties.
But there is way By which, in the reduction
Of fees, where fees are pointed out By tho Con-
stitutioa ofthe State er by good policy, andin
the fixing Of moderate hut sutflcieIt salaries
where salary is best, this reform may be ac-
complished. We're the 1ct compensation Ct
each Of these men to be no more than the
amount that a competent man can command
as the manager Of any other business ofequal
importance, VIC have no tars that the Offices
would 60 a-begeing, nor that tirttrate nen
could not be found to discharge their duties.
We Lave the satisfaction Of being able to
say that ou this question, Mr. Ogden, vi las
been named by his Republican trieads for the
Senate, has the opinion that the great ,nass Of
tho voters Of Cook County entertain, and that,
If elected, b. will bc faithful and duigent in
etre:ting tbs desired reform in the war best
calculated to advance the interests Of the reo-
pie. Why should he not, On this question as
well as on all other questions, DO in favor Of
the most rigid economy consistent with tic
safely Of the public? He is by far the largest
taxpayer in the county, and unquestionab'y
has more at stake in the matter Of low sala-
ries ttan almost any other man in Illinois.
| What itjur;ously affects the masses also affects
him. What is wrong in lie disbursement OF
public money, is felt By him. Where the
small-tax payer pays five dollars unnecessari'
II, lie pays ige hundred. lie coull be trusted
with MI such questions, evca were be not the
choica Of the Republican party which is COM
mi.tsd in its Natisnal, State and C:ty plat.
forms 10 rigid economy and accountability il
The management Of public affairs. Economy
is no mau's pate 1t right The Press AND TR1
nrSE has been preaching it for years and or
the question Of tho pay Of the county officer.
it has always been in favor Of great roduc'
ton. We know Of nobody WHO opposes thai
reduction-aot even tho recipients ef the
enormous pay Of which we in commo1 witt
al the people Of the county complain. II
making the nominations ior ito Legislature
the Convention will, ther, hard1y GO amiss
Where there is but one opinion, It caa ha1dl,
go wrong. But let the matter be a3i,a.ed.