The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1873-08-21
AFARNER'S OPINION.
High Salaries and Extravaganza
in Office.

Eiiior gia.-s:
see that ayricul.uraii-s n hit and bel
Iowa out that il hurts ine. From his selection
of name, take !, lie ia an old school mas
ter from the tone OF MS article, small Office
holder, that has not got h;s belly full yet,
and therefore wishes to convince the whole,
honest earnest people, !. e., the tax pay
ess The Changers alone, no, the farm.
ers IS cIa~,l that he can't sncs quite as
much now as nigh, hungry Office seeker
can, and therefore be must he SLOWED tie
beat awhile longer.
Tell him, Mr.. Editor, that Farmer ia a
Republican, slwsys was, never was a candi-
date, and never will be- He believes il r.
Just as bsi 10 overtaN and steal FROM an old
Democra, a. from Republican, and re-
cognizes the Iiga; Of even former Democrats
10 work and vote sgaiBS; ir.Gri and cOrrup-
ton. Your Fox, Mr.. Agrieul.uris. is the
politician taxpayer. He can afford to let
the lies bite hin, while be i. mar covering to
get into the hen roos, Of the public, knowing
thst ia Que stor, Term he can replenish all
hi. lcsSe. and get fat. This is strategy, my
boy" az Ar,smus Ward says. A Fox il a
crafty, dishonest fellow, Mr.. Agricultural /;
don't mistake in vour criticism of Farmer,
it looks bad.
We have too many officers and We pay too
high salaries. Where can we economic.
Let US look a, the County Attorney first.
We pay this officer $1,000 year and extra
for oifi,e rent, etc and for going out Of the
county on county business. Besides it was
also held in the days OF Thomas & David,
that their duties we're fully discharged when
all tine advice was given to the County Board
that was called for. Hence we find large
allowances made for attending to suits and
other professional business and fees as large
az $500 in single criminal prosecution have
been claimed-legally too, l suppose-for the
attorney made the claim and decided it legal
and Just. What portion of the time of an
attorney does it occupy to do the county
work. Probably one-ihird or less, giving
ample time for the officer to perform his
other professional business-S3, 900 for four
months work is too much. The same talent
for the same amount OF business can be Sc
cured for 81 900 by private contract. and
why should the county pay more? No
farmer with $4,000 invested, and with a
Lifetime Of experience Can make as much
with unremitting labor. You cannot COM
plsin Of the officer taking his legitimate sal
AIRY, but you can complain Of the Law that
gives it to him and of the men that made the
law.
County Clerk-The present County Clerk
gets $4,000 year, under special contract,
because it ia said that his fees would amount
to much larger sum, but he, wishing to
be liberal, il content to take the email sum
Of 1000 per year. He has also some extra
bills allowed for extra service. His deputy,
employed st 81 200 year, does the bulk of
the work, and keeps sets of books for bust
ness houses in the city beaides. II deputies
can do the work SO much cheaper than Coun-
~ Clerks, think il would he a great cav
ing to abolish the Office of County Clerk and
supply its place with a deputy st 81, 800 to
81, 800 year and require him TO do all the
extra Jobs in the bargain.
Can competent man be got for the above
salary? Who has forgot the scramble for
the place of poor Mast; and the bids that
were made for il? Reduce the salary, and
you will find candidates plenty enough TO
make good selection from. The same
men in whom office seeking has become
chronic disease, will still try to manipulate
conventions, treat voters and promise dePu-
tyships, but with this difference: they have
less to promise, and therefore there will be
less bargain and sale. and what there il, at
lower rate-. Here will be one point made
by the taxpayer and money saved. Reduce
the ability OF the office seeker to buy, and
you will have less buving. FARMER.