The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1883-02-09
Governors Message.


--
Governor Pattison sent a message to
he Legis lature on Tuesday afternoon,
'f which we give portions below He
says: G
Though so short time has elapsed
since the former executive addressed
you in an able, wise and exhaustive
message, yet in accordance with re
lurements of the constitution, that the
governor shall from time to time rec
to the general assembly
such measures as he may Judge ex-
pedient, send you this communica-
lion.
The message then refers to the abuses
of the Recorders Office Delinquent Tax
office, and Scaler of weights and
in Philadelphia, and pro
ceeds:
NEEDLESS AND EXTRAvAGANT OFFICES.
l have always entertained the opin-
ion that needless and extravagant Off
ces, such as those ! have referred to,
should be utterly abolished Some of
these places pay their incumbents
greater compensation than is received
by any officer of the commonwealth
and at least one of them, more
than the president of the United
States. The legislature should not
hesitate about what to do in these and
similar cases. The public service
should not be made attractive because
of its emoluments. Extravagant sala
ries breed an office holding class, in.
spired, not by patriotism and public
spirit, but by avarice and greed of
gain The youth of the land should
be taught to look to official preferment
for its honorable distinction as an ave-
nue. for faithful public service, and not
as a means of money-making and of
escape from the burdens of labor.
These opinions always entertained and
frequently expressed, l will gladly CO.
operate with the assembly in putting
into practical operation by abolishing
all needless and retrenching all ex-
travagant offices. l have been graft
fed to observe the disposition shown,
and progress made, by the Legislature
toward that end While such Office
exist, however, the executive deems it
his duty 10 see that they are filed by
those in whom he has the highest con
fidence, and can repose the fullest
trust. This is his first and sworn duty
if he is to take care that the laws be
faithfully executed.
FIXED SALARIES ADVOCATED.
The spirit of the constitution is un
doubtedly that all officers and employ
ees either of the state or local govern
ment, should be paid by fixed salaries
and not by fees. This spirit should bt
faithfully carried out by the legislature
and a law enacted abolishing fees
whenever possible, and fixing a def
mite salary for all incumbents. How
ever it may be disguised, every Jaw au
thorizing the charging of fee for al
official act is equivalent to the levyins
of an additional tax. 1t is an indirec
form of taxation, Objectionable tor it
uncertainty and the difficulty of ascer
tanning its amount. All taxes whethel
fee or otherwise, should first 60 int
the public treasury, that the people
may know how much they contribute
toward the cost of the government
and the public officers should after
ward be paid therefrom known and fix
ed amounts for their services.
| SALARIES DISPROPoRTIONATE TO THE
| WORK.
In abolshing the fee system, how
ever care should be taken that the com
pensation be not merely changed to
fixed salary equally as exorbitant a
the former sum received. Many of th
salaries fixed under the present con
stitution are out of all proportion
to the service rendered. There ar,
clerks of courts receiving greater pa.
than the Judges whose subordinates the.
are, and registers of wills whose salarie
are twice as much as those of th
court who adjudicate the dead men
estates. By what possible system o
adjustment these results were arrived
at it would be difficult to determine
but such incongruities should not b.
permitted longer to exist. They vii
serve to illustrate, however, the neces
sity for careful scrutiny of officia
salaries with view to the general re
duction of many. The appointment o
joint committee of the legislature t.
inquire what offices in the various ex
ecntive departments of the state ma.
be dispensed with is most desirable
undertaking. Diligent inquiry will,
am convinced, enable the commit
tee to recommend a considerable re
duction in the force of employees i
the departments and the amount O
their compensation. l regret the scop
of the inquiry was not enlarged so a
to include the entire civil service o
the state. The results, l am sure
would have been more effective. 1t
not too late for the legislature yet t.
empower the committee to so extend it
investigation.
REFORM IN OFFICIAL ADVERTISING
| The advertising of official notice
has been the source of many abuse
and much scandal, particularly in ou
cities. Much of the official advetisin
as now done is practically useless an
a waste Of public money. woul
recommend the enactment of som
general law upon this subject requi
ing public advertisements to be inser
ed in the newspapers Of the largest ci
culation. If there is any purpose
to be served by such advertismen
beyond the mere expenditure of MOI
ey, if publicity is really what is desi
ed, then the most evident means to ol
tain that publicity should he adopted
and papers of largest circulation en
ployed. Not only would such a cour'
execute the plain purposes of the law
but great saving of money could b
effected, as there would not then be
necessity for so frequently insertin
the notices or advertising them S
much at length. Ecouomy and pul
lic!ty would both be served by the eI
aetment of such a law. In munich,