Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-08-20

We have recently elected in this
county a clever set of county officials.
After working for them with might and
main, they will pardon us this early
warning that we are going for" the
reduction of their fees and perquisites
just rs soon as the law ard constitution
permits, and in such manner as full
discussion may indicate to be most pro-
motive of the public veal. We have
no desire TO impair the efficiency ofany
Office BY false economy, but are salts
fed that the work Can be done, and
well done, on cheaper terms than have
prevailed for many day.
What are the factsP We have here
in Davidson county officials whose per-
quisites sum up three, four or FIVE
times the salary of the Governor of the
State. A four years term is a lease of
fortune. Hence the multiplicity of
candidates, the bitter struggle, the
pouring out of whisky and money, the
intense bitterness often leading to
bloodshed.
We are aware that these perquisites
do not come out of the peoples pockets
through taxation. On the contrary,
perquisites are device to avoid paying
salaries out of the public funds. 1t is
a system by which the individual need
ing the officials services pays for them
direct, without saddling the expense on
the great majority, who have no occa-
sion for these services. 1t is a print
tive arrangement for people who can
not afford to pay salaries. 1t still suits
many counties in Tennessee. In per-
haps half the counties it works no great
abuse. Yet in Davidson, Shelby and
several others, it has grown too enor-
nous to be overlooked IN an era of de-
preston and economy.
We do not say that the fees charged
are too heavy on the individual appli-
eants, but when they aggregate in the
region of $4,000 and upward. we think
a good slice of that aggregate should
go into the public poor box. instead of
all disappearing in the officials pocket.
We recolect how the system arose
and has been maintained. The same
rules are applied to all the counties,
rich or poor, farming, trading. or min
ing, for the sake of uniform legisla-
ton. But it results IN anything ex-
cept uniformity or equality. While
the clerk Of a mountain county would
starve on his fees alone, the Shelby
clerk rolls in his carriage and swells
into an aristocrat. Uniform legisla-
ton defeats itself.
We are also aware of the plea that
perquisites make an officer more vigi-
lant-that a fixed salary would make
him negligent-if he gets no perqui-
site, ne will not hunt up delinquents.
Whatever argument there is in this,
might be met by allowing the officer
one-half or one-third of the perquisite,
which would preserve his interest,
while the rest could be turned into the
public treasury, leaving him still a
good salary. Yet we dislike the sys-
TEN. 1t Is suggestive of bribing an
officer to do his sworn duty. We think
it better to elect men of such character
as Will do their duty from
higher motives. Besides we re-
member how the same argument
was urged most strenuously
against abolishing the fees of police
men here in Nashville. Yet we have
to-day better police corps. more Wig
liant and efficient in every way, than
the perquisite system ever gave us.
This is a matter on which the State
Convention may perhaps feel called
upon to speak. 1t is certainly on the
programme of our progress, and those
Immediately concerned may as well
make up their minds for the inevitable.