Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1861-11-01
FEES OF COUNTY CLERKS
Editgrs sfthe Free Press,

Edit0rs fifth Free Press;
have just seer, for
tina 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
B;u snnears 10 concern only the officials referred
n IT seems to NE to be Of great general interest,
and in this respect is similar to the act regulating
the salaries Of States Attornies. Allow me then
70 surrest a few reasons why the Bill should not
pass
1st. II Is impolitic-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
cosr Of the attendance Of Jurors, Slerifs, AID
Clerks upon Court. A single jury trial in this
County during the last year, cost the State 500
n jurv fees while the jury fee paid to the State
was St.
The inevitable effect Of this Bill, which reduces
! the cost to q party bringing suit into Court
either County. Supreme, or Chancsry, 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 50
enable men to vent their spleen, 70 feed their
rrudges. and to annoy those whom they would IN
lure. and all at little cost TO them-vhile thei-
neirhbors pay the Juries, Sheriff, &c, &c.
The result viii be that Jury trials in cases o.
SANDER Of malicious prosecution, Of resistance 70
the cole cuon oftown and school taxes, Of paupe-
removal. viii abound the Docket viii be fllel
with petitions for roads and bridges litigation
generally will be encouraged; and the cost Of civi
government enhanced.
ID The Bills uniust-for 1t gives men sala
rios without reference the amount Of VOL
done, while by the present arranremeut Clerks re-
oeive for each item Of labor, certain fee, which
fixed wears ago, has remained tie same. while tbs
cost Of every article necessary f1r subsistence ha
been increased.
Sd The Bill Is unnecessary-fo1 the existing
system. If thoroughly carried out viii e1ectualiy
protect the State and all parties IN court, from al
unfounded OF exorbitant charges j here anl
there c~es have occurred Of extorti0u il has beer
on account Of the failure Of Auditor to perform
heir duty, and not on account Of any fault Of
system that mas given perfect satisfaction or year
wherever it has been enforced.
g. The bin is inexpedient.
It Is matter Of the hgnos, importance 20 al
that the Records Of the various Courts should b
carefully ana skiItuIIy made, and al the cleric
al business CT the Cour, well done. a-i the fec
Of CLERKS should bear some proportion TO the i'll
portance and responsibility q their ol,s
Under existing law. county clerks arc reqUire-
to give $4,000 bonds they are makers an
custodians of those records in which TIE doIuSs
all our Courts IN regard to the lie. iccrty an
property Of our citizens are preserved and should
u receive compensation that viii render the ono
respectable secure laithfalnezs. anl skill in tn
discharge OF taeir duties, and So guar the inter
ests Of community.
By the bill. the clerk Of Essex Co.. is o. aav
j 5000, Of Grand Isle s2o0. Of LamriIe $3.50. Al
o Of Orleans $500.
It Suc1 salaries mus. reduce tas bushes
3 clerks to secondary rz15. ana vii, compel thci
l. them to give much Of their time t1 profession.
d ayocations in order to sustain taemsc.vor
/ nope the Bill viii not pass
Z >UIS -Er1EE.