Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1881-01-11
THE LAW.



Mr.. EDITOR: l have noticed in various
papers, not only in Eureka county, but
throughout the State during the past week,
an attempt to break down the new salary
law by innuendo, or what is worse, by a
misstatement OF facts. No doubt these
adverse criticisms came from the officials
themselves. You must give a new law a
chance before you can tell whether it will
be effective or not. A few months will
test it, and there can be no doubt but that
if it is honestly carried out the new law
will be a saving to most Of the counties.
The people and taxpayers of Eureka
county especially will be benefited by the
new law if it only has a fair chance in the
hands Of the present hostile incumbents
in Office. There will be an attempt made
in the Legislature now in session to repeal
the law. The county ~offiee-holders, espe-
cially the Sheriffs, will place a strong lobby
in Carson, and it will become necessary to
create a public sentiment among the tax
payers in favor of the law which was made
for their benefit. These county officers
were elected at the last election well know
ing Of the existence of the new Salary law.
1t is the height of impudence and assur-
ance for them to band together now to re-
peal a statute which has not even been
tried. The plea that Eureka county will
lose by reason of the Salary law is the
sheerest humbug. Any person acquainted
with the law and the large amount of
money drawn out of the county treasury
during the past eight years by county off
ofato will fat1 n acrn ct.v Thaaa n a
cials have taken from the treasury in the
shape of fees during that period, monthly,
more than enough to pay their salaries I'M
der the new law. The figures in the Aud
itor's book show it. Remember these fees
do not constitute one-half OF the fees paid
into their respective offices by litigants and
others, and which are paid into the county
treasury under the new law. In other
words, the fees already received by these
officials from the public will nearly, if not
quite, pay the salaries under the new law.
1t was stated in the SENTINEL that only
twenty dollars were received in the County
Clerks Office during the first week in jan
uary. This is not so. The books show a
sun nearer one hundred dollars.
And so it will be found in all the
county offices. that the sums are
larger than these officials like to ac-
knowledge. But one week, and that the
first week in January, when fees are al
ways small, is no test. The first quarter
will tell the story, and if the salary law is
not strangled by the officials or repealed
by the Legislature, the people of Eureka
county in the course Of q year will rise up
and call the author of the Salary bill
blessed.
No doubt some amendments might be
made to the law. All laws, to some extent,
are imperfect. The fee bill should be re-
modelled, as ONE of the charges are mon
strous and others absurd. The actual dis
b~ursements Of a Sheriff in serving pro-
cess outside of the county seat. under
strict guards, might be allowed. Some
other changes might be made. Do not re-
peal the law, however. Do not accept the
adverse statements of its enemies as facts.
Do not believe that the county will be
the loser under the new law, even if a pa
triotic officer tells you SO.
Do not 'listen to the voice of the
charmer, charm he never so wisely" and
'fear these Greeks, even bearing gifts"
LYCJRGuS,