The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1879-02-05
THE VETO.
Mayor sresnahea,s Reasons for ~Disapprsv
ing the Salary Ordinance

dinance entitled: "An Ordinance regu-
latiug the Salaries of City Officers and
Employees, which passed the council
on the 14th inst. without my approval,
for reasons as hereinafter stated.
In view of the large amount of bonds
which it is necessary to retire this year,
and on account of the prevailing de-
preston in business throughout the
country, it is desirable that the strict
est economy be observed in the man.
agement OF the affairs Of our city.
The desire of your body to pursue a
policy of retrenchment and economy
meets my hearty approval. The only
question, therefore, is the manner Of
properly ~effecting that object, in regu-
lating the reduction of expenses. The
results of your views and mine nearly
agree. N
1 fully endorse your action in the re-
duction of the mayors salary from
81, 900 to $500 per annum, and should
you determine OH a still further reduc-
ton. 1 assure you 1 shall cheerfully APP
prove your action therein. I
PAY OF CITY MARSHAL.
The ordinance reduces the pay Of this
officer from S75-as heretofore-to s85
per month. l cannot consent to a re-
duction in the pay Of marshal. 1t is
scarcely necessary that Iremind you of
the great responsibilities attending this
office. He is collector Of all the rev.
enues of the city. The fee for collec-
ton of taxes is merely nominal-only
one per cent-this on $4,000 or Sl5,-
900 is a small item. He is required to
give a bond in the amount of 5000;
a larger bond than the sheriff is re-
quired to give. In addition to these re-
sponsibilities, he has to discharge the
duties of apoliceman aside from hav-
ing to exercise a supervision over the
police force. And further, as thepolice
has been reduced to two men, instead
of three, as heretofore, thus making a
saving of 5000 per annum in that de-
partment, the duties Of marshal will
necessarily be more arduous. The ag-
gregate amount received by the mar
shal during the past year-from che city,
salary and fees, i$s1 ,503.69, which, in
the interest Of the people, 1 consider a
most reasonable compensation.
Er CITY CLERK AND ASSESSOR.
The ordinance reduces the salary Of
this officer from 81, 200 as heretofore,
to $500 per annum. 1 do not consider
that a sufficient COMPENSATION. 1tis an
office Of great importaic&, and itsl du-
ties demand the services of q good
clerk. A thorough and reliable assess
ment Of the property I'M this town, is
worth more than oIerhalf the Bslary
you name, aside from all the other du-
tiles of the office. 2
"a would therefore recompendr that
the salary Of clerk and ASSESSOR be
placed ats750 per annum. e.
ilu CITY TREASURER. .
The pay of this officer is reduced
from $500 to $3.50 per annum This. is
an inadequate compensation for the
labor and responsibility pertaining to
that office, The treasurer is required
to give a bond to the city In the amount
Of 5000. BY reference to the last an
nual report Of the treasurer, it will be
observed that he has handled abusi-
ness of s43. 933. SO for the city. iFsq
The clerical duties of the office,
aside from the re responsibility, and CIV
ing such a bond, merit more than $3.50.
1 would recommend that the pay of
this officer be placed at $400 per an
mum. 49,
CITY ATTORNEY.
The ordinance places the salary of
$500 and fees, per anIum. i cannot
agree to this. The records show that
the attorney has been paid during the
past year by the city, sc07. 90, and the
dockets of the police justices show that
he has received fees to the amount of
s373.42, thus aggregating s9S1.34 for
the year. In the case of the Union
Pacific railroad VS.. the city of Chey-
enne, had before the chief justice in
chambers. $40 has been naid "a Iyon. r
p Johnson for bis leoa, service tbua
making s1.o21.3 "a Maid ATTORNEYS dur-
ind the wear. II consider that an exor.
bitant amount for the service rendered.
The attorney is not called upon to
ATTEND over two ner cent ~ ,ba c;tv
cases IN the nolice conrts. Most All Of