The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-02-17
TEE COMMITTEE on EXroGTlogs.

The sheriff, Dfii,c County Clcr.'s and Regis.
-ter's Departments to DO OverhauIed.
What Is known as tho Committee on ExtortiOns,
or Special Committee or the Bar Association Is now
working very energetlcally To bring about radical
changes Ia various departments of the city govern
ment Their efforts are chiefly directed towards
tfying the evils which they aege exist in the Offices
OF the Sheriff, County Clerk, Register, Surrogate.
Public Administrator, as well as TO remedy certain
abuses, claimed 10 be carried the levy.
ing OF taxes and assessments; also In the
Offices OF the deputy clerks OF various Courts,
clerks Offices OF the Marine and Civil District Courts
and United states Clerks Office. meeting of the
association VIII be held on Tuesday evening next,
when the report OF the special committee, or which
Mr.. Dwight olnstead Is chairman, Will, II COM
pletcd, be handed in and read. representative OF
the HERALD visited Mr.. Olmstead yesterday and
conversed with him In reference to the proposed
character has as yet been determined upon, but tho
report to bc submitted VIII probably urge the re-
peal OF all present existing
LAWS REGARDING FEES,
and Will DOUBTLESS recommend enactments for
new Fee bill for the entire state. There VIII also
be further suggestions, that all offices be
salarled ones, III accordance with the recon-
Should be the smallest amount consistent
with the services rendered, and should be paid TO
an officer whose sole duty snould DO to receive
Jnen. IL Is contended tnat such system would at
once remove All chickering's with deputy sherlfs and
others with regard W their lees. On the other
hand, however, It seems that me fees allowed by
law TO deputy sneriIls would not, If strictly adhered
to- pay their gas bills, and that the system as now
understood has grown into
AN ESTABLISHED CUSTOM,
departure from WHICH would make such an once
not worth acceptance. The lees charged ~ some
OF the deputy snerls are doubtless considered ex-
torllonate, but L Is Claimed mat sucn Is an excep
ton 10 TIE general rule, aud That, III fact, tho
abuses which III years gone by characterized
the administration or the office have been discon.
tinued, each deputy being held TO strict accouna.
Di,ity. Many oil them would doubtless prefer =
regular salary. IL Is generally admitted thar the
regular regal lees, wnicn are merely nominal. would
not meet one tltne OF tie expenses OF the Snerin5
Ollce; so tnat IL has long silce been found neces-
those employed should be falrly remunerated. AT
All events, the committee unuer the Impression
that the matter requires Investigation, and accOfd-
ingy the subject Will doubtless be embraced IN the
report. Another point To which the committee VIII
probably make Is That OF
LIENS ON REAL ESTATE.
III Is thought that reduction OIL liens Is necessary;
tnat tney should be flied In one Office instead OF
dozen, ana mat many Of the liens should be ab0l-
lshed altogether. The effect 81 this change would.
u is considered, facilitate the transfers or real
title Is attended with much trouoe and expense at
least so 1t Is alleged, wne the penmansnip, so ar
as the engrossng goes, issuing from the REGISTERS
olces, Is complained Of In word, the committees
VIII probably report particularly on wn'tt .IiuJ
claim as eXtoruOnate charges IN the various depart
1nent5 referred to- Whether the report VIII oe sue
mitted TO the ASSOCIATION OH Tuesday evening nds
not vet been decided, though should u oe compie.cu
In time IL VIII doubtless be presented ior aseussiou'