The comet. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1877-1882, 1879-08-23

are concerned whose service is continuous
80 that they cannot embark in any othe
pursuit That rule is that the gains of q
office should equal the average gains in pr
vats life of persons competent to fill it. |
; more is allowed, the excess is bount
levied on the public for the benefit of al
official; if less be given, the danger woult
be that competent person could not be
found to take the Office. We have NJ
means of ascertaining what are the gains o
J officers receiving fees, since the Legislator,
has failed to provide for the keeping and re
turning to the proper tribunal of sworr
account of the fees of public officers. But
enough is known to warrant the conclu
sion that they largely exceed the amount
which would be proper under the rule
above stated. This is shown in the i'm
proved condition of all who have been
inducted into these offices, and the avidity
with which these Offices are sought for by
SO large number of our people.
A proper registration of these fees would
save an immense sum to the people. Let
the Legislature provide for the returning
under oath of the amount of all fees, and
over certain sum which should be fair
compensation to the officers, let all fees be
paid into the State and county treasures, as
the officer may be county, State or dis
trict officer; and then, after the proper
knowledge is thus acquired, let there be
readjustment of the fees of public officers.
As to officers purely salaried, let their
emoluments be fixed according to the rule
above mentioned, so as only to be fair
compensation for the services performed
There are some officers whose service
is occasional only, and whose duties are
such as not to interfere with their pursuit
of ordinary avocations. As to those-es-
pecially members of the Legislature there
can be no rule as to compensation, based
on reward equalling the value of the SER
vices performed. 1he service of some
men in the Legislature is invaluable
Others of no value, and of others again,
a positive injury. No rule can be adopted
to pay each according to his merit, SO we
are therefore forced to dispose of their |
by other considerations.
The State wants the best service her |
people are poor; and there seems to be |
little likelihood of an early revival of pros
perity, and she therefore wants this service |
as cheaply as possible That is her want
noao. Services in the Legislature, after the |
adoption of the Code now being prepared,
need not exceed 20 or 80 days in two (2) |
years. 1t is manifest, that devotion of
hat much of his time can be no serious
burden on any citizen. More than that is
devoted every year by public-spirited cit
zens in their attendance on church synods,
oresbyteries, conferences, associations,
where church business and not worship is
he main objeot,) and in political conven-
ions and meetings, and other duties of a
'ublic nature The law requires as much
8 twenty days in every two years, of un-
labor on the public roads. 1t
annot be that this easy service in the Legis- :
Iture, if the expenses of the incumbent be
aid, can be burdensome. will hereafter
now how the adoption of this rule would ,
levate the character and abilities of men, =
ers of the Legislature. A law allowing to
ach member his expenses only, not exceed
lg small maximum, would be a great =
wing to the State, and not injurious to the
1blic service.
The same rule should be applied to the
smbers of the Boards of Supervisors. T
1t is manifest that great part of the in
ease in taxation, as compared to the ante :;
llLn1 rates, arises from mal-administation
county affairs. A recent law has taken
Q largest part of the burden of the judi, :,
ry tax from the counties which have 8,
opted its provisions in relation to the keep. :.
2 of prisoners. If the law shall be mad !,
mpulsory as to all the counties, and if it N
all be perfected by more careful con-
leration of its provisions, great saving
II be made.
After this, there only remains one great
urce of expense to the counties, as most
them now have court. houses and jails,
d that is the building of bridges. If the
unties were prohibited from making any
ntracts for the building of bridges except
ZEN the money was already in the treasury
pay for them, then contracts would be
de more cheaply and great saving thus no
;ured. There is no remedy for the build
of unnecessary bridges except by elect
high order of men as members of the
ards of Supervisors.
Another means of reducing taxation will of
in law, infexibly adhered TO, to allow in
work of a purely mechanical character ey'
be done for the State or any county, ex- ;
It in pursuance of contract with the nu
-est bidder; nor any materials or supplies Yo
-chased except in the same way. There ON I
uld be no opportunity Of fayoritism in
public matters.
What the people want in the best work gu
the best materials furnished at the low n n
prices. As TO all these matters the -
te should act exsctly as private indi- ma
uaL No man in private life adopts the Th
, to employ an inferior or incompetent Of
.kman, or 10 accept bad or improper ans