Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1886-11-22
WHEW I
A TAXPAYER WHO PROPOSES RE.
TRENCHMENT GAS Iy' Re.
TRENCHMENT.

r'es, and Their Fees Turned Into the
County Treasury-The Sheriff to Have
$1,000, the District Attorney $1,000,
the Probate Judge 1880 Per Year
Etc.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES -
Having made mistaken state ment as
to the relative proportion of our in
debtedness as compared with the as
sessable value of the property of this
county, | must correct the same by
stating that the present Indebtedness
OF Alturas county exceeds the 4 per
cent. limit spoken Of in the act of
Congress therein referred to; yet the
theory therein evinced is applicable
under all circumstances, and l can
only reiterate that we ought and must
lind means to pay as we 60, and Gre
ate sufficient reserve over our run
ming administrative expenses to en-
able us to iiquidate the present inoum-
brance. While l admit the thing to
be difficult, it is not impossible, and
where there is will there is a way.
People of Alturas county, will it, and
you can do it.
Stress is laid upon the fact that the
fee bill under the present law and as
applicable to our present status, is ex-
cessive, and that some of our officials
are overpaid. That fact cannot be de-
MED. Reform is needed in that d.
rection; but, yet, that will be only a
drop in the bucket. We want reform
in the fee bill; we want, however, our
officers to be paid commensurate with
the services rendered. That ought to
be fair equivalent; yet all the prun,
ing-knife could do in that direction
would be inadequate. Every citizen
of Alturas county must be willing,
since he is able so to do, to throw in
his mite for the common good. Every
one must say, 81 am willing to con-
tribute toward the desired end"
and if sometimes it presses hard on
any particular individual-since we
are all guided and touched by circum-
stances-whatever the sacrifice may
be, let us remember that every such
effort is the price we must pay for the
well-being of our fellow men, the
good order of society, our comfort and
security, and for the maintenance Of
the law wherein we find our safety
and the maintenance of our common
right and mutual protection.
l have said we need reform-yes,
VIC need it radically; we need it large
ly and effectually; we need it to the
extent to enable Ills to carry on the
administrative affairs of Alturas coun.
ty for at least one-half of the present
running expenses, in order to enable
us to pay off our outstanding obliga
tons. We cannot increase taxation
already oppressive, but must rather
seek to diminish it Taxation | shall
hereafter make the subject of another
article), and as l have said, if we will
we can do it. While / do not wish
to formulate the actual mode of doing
it, permit me to throw out suggestions
leading to the desired end. I care
not how it Is done, if it is substan
tally effected. Remember we mus,
seek the means to carry on the admin
istrative affairs of Alturas county or
a current fiscal expenditure of abou,
$4,000, instead of $4,000. There
fore, consider my plan; if it does moi
suit, supply another, but make i,
equally effective.
propose, then, that we make
through the Legislature as many sal
aired offices as is consistent with the
past revenue of the same. l propose
that the District Attorneys Office be
salaried at the rate of 500 per month
or $1,000 per annum; that the Sher'
if s office be salaried at the rate o.
$4,000 per annum, with allowance o
one deputy with compensation o
$1,000 per annum; that the victualins
of the common Jail be let to the low
est bidder. under the direction of tn
Board of County Commissioners, ans
under the supervision of the Sheriff
with one jailor to be compensated 70
at the rate of $1,000 per annum; tina
during the sessions of the Distric
Court the Sheriff be authorized to ap