The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-12-23
The system of Fees.

COMMON COUNCIL on Monday approved resolu-
zion previously passed by the Select Branch,
requesting the Legislature to pass some law
looking towards the regulation Of the fees of
our county officers. OF course 1t will receive
&he signature of the Mayor, il such sigma
ture is necessary, and will be presented to the
Assembly when it meets in January. Whether
or not that body will take any action in the
premises is exceedingly doubtful, but there
can be no question as to its duty. For years
there has been a crying abuse existing in
Philadelphia, which justice to the people
demand should be utterly abolished. The
smoluments in the shape of fees which be-
come the perquisites of the fortunate holders
of nearly all our county offices are go great,
that if man Is lucky emo ugh to secure
denomination, he not only has an inde-
pendent fortune, but, in fact, immense
wealth. Men who, previous to their election,
had not dollar in the world, in six years
leave the Office OF Clerk or Prothonotary, build
brewn-stone houses, keep fast horses, and sur.
round themselves with all the evidences Of
wealth. One officer acknowledges the re-
ceipt Of 100000 year, which was
stated with rather an aggrieved air. Others
receive $4,000 or $4,000, as a minimum;
while how much is made by others is known
only to the occupants themselves. This money
does not only come ont of the pockets of the
suitors--a class of people least able to pay it,
rs rule-but large amount is drawn quar-
terly out of the city treasury. Those who
examine the reports Of Council proceedings
will see, at intervals, the appropriation Of
$1,000 for such an officer and $2500 for such
another. 1t means simply that the tax
rate of $3.50 has been placed at that
figure in order that the bursting purses Of
the office holders might be yet more densely
packed with public money. 1t is surely time
that such wrong as this should be stopped.
What possible claim has the Clerk of the
Quarter Sessions--an ofics of no RESPONSE
bility, and which it requires no ability to ill
Ito receive a salary and fees which more
than equal the combined salaries of all the
judges of the court of which he is an humble
officer The fees of the Clerk exceed $lS 900
year; the salaries of the judges all COM
bined do not amount to $14 900. Can this be
excused either in reason or propriety? Other
officers tell the same tale. The City Solicitor
cannot rival Deputy Sheriff so far as receipts
are concerned; while the whole bench Of the Su-
preme Court of the State do not receive as much
as either the Sheriff of Philadelphia county or
the District Attorney. Surely 1t is time that
they should cease TO be q burden to our
people When the Legislators OF the munici-
paljty cause a levy of so enormous tax as 81 80
on every 800 worth of real estate, aud that
too when real estate is assessed at its full
value, it is time that retrenchment should
cluse the financial fortunes of political favor
ties to be cut down. The city of PHILADELPHIA
loss every year 100000 OF income Which,
in all reason and justice, she is entitled
to. 1t is time for the Legislature to
act, and act promptl7 and decidedly, in the
matter. The remedy is so simple as not to
need suggestion. Let the act forbid any fees
being appropriated to the officers, and cause
all to be paid into tho city treasury. Let the
salaries be raised, if justice requires it, but let
this wretched system of psrquisites be utterly
and entirely abolished. By this means We
will secure more honest officers. We will purify
the system of the petty bribery with which
nearly all the Offices of our city are at present
abOunding. We will save the community
hundreds of thousands OF dollars, and remedy
the evil, the absurdity, Of a judge receiving a
fourth as much as the irresponsible clerk who
Issues writs under his direction.
A PRussian Crisis.
THE old leaven of oliparchy Ia not vat eradi-