Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-02-13
RErRENcH11Enr AND REFORM.
Views of County Commissioners Maynard
Thereon and What He Thinks of the
Chamber of Commerce Ideas of Civil Ser

Thereon and What He Thinks OF the
Chamber of Commerce Ideas of Civil Ser
vice.
The fact that the Legislature will soon be
called upon to pass or reject bill which is
to be prepared under the auspices of the
Chamber of Commerce, and, in which bill,
the leading idea is the retrenchment of all
public expenditures, including the cutting
down of official salaries, has heretofore been
noticed in the columns of TIE GLOBE, and is
therefore widely and extensively known.
Under the inspiration of the chamber, the
spirit of retrenchment and reform is abroad
in the land, but what will be or should be
the outcome of the prevailing agitation of
the question, it is at the present time difficult
toiforetell. One thing however, is undeniable,
and that is, that the subject is one of mo-
mentous import to all citizens, and one also
which has two sides, on either of which a
good deal can be said.
These, and kindred thoughts. which had
found a Judgment in the teeming brain of
the GLOBE representative during three
hours attendance upon the Monday morning
session of the chamber, were still running
their mad career, when he fell IN with that
venerable representative of the Democracy of
our daddies, County Commissioner Maynard
Here was an item, thought the man of news,
and forthwith proceeded to carry out the
suggestion.
Rep-Well, Judge, what do you think of
the chamber of commerce. and their efforts
at retrenchment and reform? Give us a
good old Democratic opinion on the subject.
Judge Maynard sir, as have al
ways understood it, the good old Democratic
doctrine has always been fair wages for fair
days labor. That's been Democratic doc
trine from the days of Jefferson, Sir! AS to
the first part of your question, the chamber
of commerce we look upon as intelligent
men who have certain duties to perform for
the good of the city, county and State, and
indeed the whole country. 1t is high and
exalted position, and within the scope of its
duties may be embraced all matters affecting
the public interests. An economical admin
istration of the city, county and State gov
eminent is matter which interests and con-
Germs them, but not more than it does other
good citizens.
Rep.-Well, go on.
Judge Maynard-'The chamber is COM
posed of merchants, bankers, real estate deal
| ers &c, who understand their respective
lines Of business and manage it successfully.
| But when they touch matters outside their
own business pursuits, they get as far astray
and their Judgment is entitled to no more
weight than that of common mortals. No
body blames them for looking out and try
ing to save the public money. That's all
right. But when they go outside their lines,
a little judgment is necessary. When they
undertake to regulate the salaries of public
officers, they ought to know what they are
about Take for example our judges. The
general hue and cry is they are not sufficient
ly well paid. But they mean circuit judges
and when it comes to the probate judge, we
find the chamber seeking to cut
office which deals with the estates
of decedents and with the rights of widows
and orphans, is, equally and think more
important than that of Circuit Judge anc
should be compensated accordingly. Thai
move of the chamber, should call mighty
poor Judgment. if not absolute laundering
Rep.-How about county commissioners
salaries. Judge?
Judge Maynard see they propose to pay
each member of the board exactly $500 {
year. Everybody knows that the office is al
important one, and if good men can be SO
cured for that amount, l don't propose tt
stand in their way. I can t and won't serv
for that money. But, what's the use o
talking about paying each commissioner {
stated salary, when one serves twice as man,
DAYS as the other? member service de
ponds largely on the various committee
to which he belongs and their RESPECTIVE
duties. Take my own case. l am on fiy
committees, and according to the ordinar,
run of business, the least time will have t
serve will be lis days. One or more mem
bers of the board will not serve more than 4
days. The county auditor made me, the othe
day. note Of the number of days that
will have to serve according to the usua
course of business, and it amounts to jus
what have stated. This year the board Q
equalization of taxes OH real and persona
property meets, and the above estimate doe
not include the number of days required fo
this service-from thirty to fifty-if l shout
be selected as one of the board, nor does
include the time of service on the committe
on legislation, of which am member. S
you see there is no justice in asking ma
to do the labor of this position for the pit
lance of 800.
Rep.-What do you think about the pay
!. the other officers? Are they paid too much
Judge Maynard-No, do not think the
are. Generally speaking, good men can on]
be secured by paying them fair compenss
ton. Now. don't think our county anditc
is paid enough. He has had to hire exit
help, and for what? The State auditor pr
scented claim against Ramsey county fc
$71,O 900. The claim originated long befo1
Mr.. Davis became auditor, and he had
search through the records, and he thinks
will ultimately be able to cut it down to $21
O0O-having already Topped off over $40
!, 600. This is but single instance of til
} Importance of having competent men in pull
lie places.
Rep.-Your argument, Judge, seems fa
and plausible, but judging from the spir
, exhibited in the chamber, some of thel
don't look upon the matter in the light 20
do.
Judge Maynard Perhaps not, but I a,
right, nevertheless. They want to retrenc
;, and cut down every Office in the county
They don't stop to think what is fair pay fc
a day work i'll any other cases than the
own. They don't know the duties of tt
, place. nor stop to think what the labor {
those who perform them is worth. The
seem to be trying to make money out of th
labor of public servants. They want to max
, the officers work for certain salary and the
put the excess of the fees they earn into th
county treasury-thereby making money OF
of mans labor, and refusing him just CON
pensation therefor. This they have no rigf