St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-07-12

presents a difficult if not hopeless prob
lem; and when one considers the vigilance
and the persistency of private interests it
will not seem improbable that the attach
ment of salary-clause to any important
instrument, as for instance to the Declare
ton of independence, would be sufficient
to defeat its passage in most legislative bod
les. So that although the provisions OF this
bill were unanimously approved at meet
ing of the county auditors held during the
session of the legislature, and resolution
passed by that body recommending That
such provisions should become laws dur
ing the present session. many OF these
officers were found aTTayed against 1t. IL
10 this we add the fact that the political
fortunes of many legislators are bound up
with those of the county officers, it will not
be difficult to comprehend that strength
would be developed sufficient to prevent
the measure from coming to VOTE"
ANY general discussion of the bill upon
It's merits has therefore thus far been persist
emily prevented. The adjustment of the pri-
Vate interests of the officers concerned, the
only real fighting objection of its opponents,
could not be brought to light with any hope
OF bearing up as against the entirely para
mount public benefits to be gained by its
passage, VIZ: the absolute control and Sc
curly OF the public funds. But under cover
OF certain broad statements which, however
Vulnerable, could not be considered in the
closing rush OF a limited session, the pur-
pose OF It's opponents was gained.
MIR: Knox states as surprising fact that
the check has been still further weak
ened by recent legislation by amend
mentS to the tax laws, which
places the tax lists in the hands of the
county treasurers on the first Monday i'm
january of each year, to be there retained
until the same day of the succeeding wear.
In concluding his article Mr.. Knox says:
Inc only remaining query is, What should
now DO done! Well, 1 should say, briefly,
Keep at it. All reformatory measures come
slowly. In our newer communities, where
every one is absorbed in his own private pur-
suits, the public is lethargic and Indifferent to
its own interests.
The people of the state have settled down
under the impression, because for twenty
hve years no one has told them to the CON
trary, that our public funds are properly
controlled and secured. They have gone on
for that length of time electing every two
years an officer in each county called an au-
ditOr, and innocently supposing that the func-
tons of that officer correspondent with those
attached to the accepted meaning of the
word.
In the main our officers have been faithful
10 their trusts, but, as in other states, we
nave never been wanting in the one or more
exceptions for whom all checks and other le-
gal restrictions are made, and for the detec-
ton and punishment of whom all good and
honest officers eheerfully submit to surveil-
lance.
Much ground has already been gained by
discussion of the subject in reports, guber-
material messages, and through the press. A
lttlem, ore light, such as you kindly propose
TO give and opposition to the measure will
vanish Once formulated into law, and its ma
chinery adjusted, the only wonder will be
that our public affairs could ever have been so
loosely administered.