Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1860-11-02
FEES OF COUNTY CLERKS.


F1nors ofths Free Press:
/ have just seen, for
the first time, the Bill, now proceeding IN the
Legislature for regulating the salaries and fees Of
County Clerks; and desire to present one or two
considerations in regard to it. For, although the
Bill appears to concern only the officials referred
to, it seems to me to be of great general interest
and in this respect is similar to the act regulating
the salaries of States Attornies. Allow me then
to suggest few reasons why the Bill should not
pass
LIST. 1t is mpoIitic-because its first and d.
rect tendency to promote litigation, is apparent.
The cost of litigation to the State is already
very great, and arises in large measure from the
cost of the attendance of Jurors, SieriIs, and
Clerks upon Court. single jury trial in this
County during the last year, cost the State 500
in jury fees, while the jury fee paid to the State
| was Sc.
The inevitable effect of this Bill, which reduces
the cost to a party bringing a suit into Court
either County, Supreme, or Chancery, to $500
will be to throw open the Courts at the expense
of tax payers, who have no litigation, but almost
without expense to the parties litigant; and SO
enable men to vent their spleen, to feed their
| grudges, and to annoy those whom they would in
jure, and all at little cost to them-while their
neighbors pay the Jures Sheriff, 30, &c.
The result will be that jury trials in cases Of
SANDER, of malicious prosecution, Of resistance to
the cole ction oftown and school taxes of pauper
| ~ n. - uoJ
with petitions for roads and bridges; litigation
generally will be encouraged and the cost Of civil
| government enhanced.
I'd. The Bill is unjust-for it gives men sala-
ries without reference to the amount Of work
done, while by the present arrangement Clerks re-
ceive for each item Of labor, certain fee, which
fixed years ago. has remained the same, while the
cost Of every article necessary for subsistence has
been increased.
Sd The Bill is unnecessary-for the existing
system if thoroughly carried out, will eGectually
protect the State and all parties il court, from all
unfounded or ezorbitant charges. If here and
there cases have occurred Of extort5n, i; has been
on account Of the failure of Auditors TO perform
their duty, and not on account Of any fault Of 3
system that has given perfect satisfaction for years
| wherever it has been enforced.
4. The bill is inexpsdient.
1t is matter Of the highest importance to all
that the Recor is of the various Courts should be
carefully and sklfully made. and all the cleric
al business eff the Court well done, and ,ho fees
Of clerks should bear some proportion to the inn
portance and responsibility Of their Office.
Under existing law, county clerks are required
| TO give $4,000 bonds; they are makers aad
custodiaus Of those records in which the doiugs Of
all our Courts in regard to the life, liberty and
property Of our citizens are preserved; AMI should
receive a compensation that viii rori-. the Office
respectable, secure faithfulness, and kill in the
discharge OF their duties, and SO guard the inter
ests Of community.
By the bill, the clerk Of Essex Co, j. G. have
s20o, Of Grand Isle $500, Of LsmoiHe $3.50, and
Of Orleans 5000
Such salaries must reduce the business Of
clerks to q secondary rank, and will compel them
them to give much Of their time to professional
a7ocations in order TO sustain themselves
hope the Bill viii not pass
-rPetFIBrr.