The Placer herald., 1869-10-02
THE DIFFERENCE.

Now that the people Of Placer county
have man ifested disposition to read, study
and act for the benefit OF her local interests
and popu atiop, it may not be improper 10
refer to the record Of the two parties, as far
as their political actions have affected the
public welfare and interests of the tax-pay-
ers, generally. To do this requires only
a review Of the official acts Of the Two par,
ties when in power in our county and rep
resentstive in the Legislature. Sixteen
years ago, when tmss we're flush and living
twice as expensive az now, the first law was
passed fix'Eg the salary of County Judge
of this county at $4,000 per annum. The
Democrats then were in power, both in the
county and Legislature. At that early day,
when living was so expensive, this was not
above fair compensation. In 1854, the
Democracy were beaten for County officers
and legislative ticket, Including a County
Judge, q. K. Haley After tbs election and
before the Judge bad entered upon the du-
ties Of bis Office bis salary was increased
from $4,000 year to - 500. making . dif-
ference agsins, the tax payers Of $4,000
for the term, though the Judge was relieved
Of about one-hslf OF bis former duties by
the creation of a board Of Supervisors. Two
years after this 1855, the Democracy tnv-
ried the county and Legislative ticket, and
this Legislative ticket Immediately wont to
work and reduced the salary Of tho County
Judge from $4,000 to 90, 900 per sunum to
take effect at the expiration Of Judge Hsle's
term,-tbe Constitution prohibiting tbs re
duction Of bis salary during the term for
which be was elected. The Democracy re
mained in power, elected Judge Esle'O sue
cessor, Judge Vsndecar, and required hin
to serve bic whole term at $4,000 per an
mum. In 1852 the county went Republican
on County Judge by some 800 majority and
as special election was to be held for
County Judge, in October, 1883, for four
years term, and the Legislature being Re
publican, tho salary was again raised to
80 900. All will admit that the salary Of
County 'dge should have been higher from
1851 to o55, and from 1850 to 1888 than
from 1855 TO 1868; and from 1863 10 1860;
and yet history shows the reverse to have been
the case, and all because We had Republican
incumbenis and Legislators during one oftbe 8
years, and Democrats during the other. Hero
is one Office, that of County Judge, the Re
publicans when in power, made Us pay
80, 900 more for than the Democrats did This
is only showing upon one Office, but the
same system has pertained in all the county
management in nearly every Office the
Democrats always legisatiug for economy
apd the opposition for extravsgsnoe. The
Democrats have always sought to legiss,e
for the benefit Of the people, willis tho Re
pubicans have legislsed for the officials and
against the tax payer. Our present financial
embarrassment and high rate of taxation
has all grown out Of the enactment Of bad
laws and a loose and exrravagant admins
traton Of the same by the officials Of the
Republican party. This we are prepared to
show, and as the public are lightning to
appreciate this fact, we shall continue to
specify the acts from time to time. as spaco
will permit.