, 1890-01-30
ON COUNTY SALARIES.
House Project to Secure LeqisIa-
ton on This Subject.
A Resolution Brings Out Many Ex-
pressions of Opinion.
Representatives Tell What Their
Constituents Think About IT..
House OF Representatives.
COUNTY SALARIES.

numerous expressions OF opinion on a
vital subject by the presentation of this
Joint resolution
ReSolued, That committee No. 8, on
finance, expenditures and ways and
means, be and the said committee is
hereby requested to confer with the like
committee of the council, under the pro
visions Of joint rule No. II, for the pur.
pose of agreeing upon one general law
covering the matter OF compensation of
county officers, to be recommended to
both houses of the legislative assembly
for adoption,
And Further Resolved. That the said
committee be requested to obtain for the
information of the house, facts and fig
ures bearing upon this important subject,
and to present the same at the time of
making their report upon the proposed
measure in order that intelligent and
proper action may be taken by the house.
Mr.. Adams spoke in support of his
resolution, pointing out that the course
suggested seemed the only one likely to
be followed by good results. No %intelli-
gent action could be taken without data
on the subject of fees. A polite note
uib'l DC duulGSSGb W tdCu COulll OllCtT.
He believed hat honest responses would
be received.
Mr.. Kellogg, of Crook, said that it was
the duty of this assembly to legislate In
the matter of county salaries. but that
proceeding without being fully informed
was extremely dangerous. However he
thought if notes were sent to the officers
that caucuses would be held, and that the
interested men would kindly give data
which would insure them generous sal
aries. His constituents wanted salaries
reduced. Crooks sheriff was making
50. 600 to $4,000.
Mr.. Schnitger objected to the imposi-
ton Of such a great work as outlined by
the resolution on his committee. To Sc
cure information which could be implicitly
relied upon would be extremely difficult.
For instance, the officers of this county
had frequently spoken to him on the mat
ter of salaries and the sheriff had lately
said that his fees for thirteen months SER
vices amounted to but $3.50.
MIR. Jesurun was personally willing to
do his share of the work entailed BY the
resolution and would undertake to reach
the desired figures if given the aid and au
thority of the house. He had an afida-
Wit from Converse's sheriff carrying the
statement hat the officers fees had been
SIT SO far during his term. which began
in Jan. 1889.
Mr.. Rankin, who has been sheriff and
deputy sheriff in Carbon, tells the house
that the office is not alarmingly renumera-
tive at present, the incumbent having
realized only about $3.50 during the past
year and a month.
Mr.. Burritt happens to know that
many sheriffs fail in numerous civil cases
to collect their fees from the legal repre-
sentatiyes of suit parties. If they we're
recompensed for each service there might
be less objection to retrenchment. How
ever. this is the fault OF the officers them
selves. He had lately paid for clients to
a sheriff SlO9 so OF civil fees and was of
the opinion that the chief executive officer
of johnson county would bear out the
statement that in the first half of his
present term he had received about $500
from or through one law Office in Buffalo.
The great trouble with the sherifs is that
thev fail to collect. The official in his
county thought a reduction only Just.
Mr.. Mccormick realized that there was
a big JOB the hands of the committee, but
was willing to do his share. He said in
effect, with the immortal Flanagan,
What are we here for?" If members
designated for the work evaded its per
Torrance they would be failing in the
performance of their duty. There must
be some tangible basis for action. Before
his departure for the capitol Mr.. Nc,
Cormlck had attended a called meeting OF
his constituents at which county officers
had acknowledged that they were receiv.
ing extraordinary salaries for their services
and agreed with other taxpayers that there
should be reductions.
For Uinta county Mr. Sheldon said
that reform In this direction was de
manaed. He advocated the adjustment
of the fee system. These emoluments to
be covered into the county treasury.
Mr.. Thomas of Sweetwater had not
consulted with the county officers on this
topic and did not reply to Mr.: Burritt's
pointed question. What do your PEG
pie want2"
Mr.. Atherly of Albany did not think
efficient service would be had under
straight salaries. He bad figured that
county officers could stand a salary shaw
ing of 80 per cent all around.
The discussion here ended and on Mr.,
Jesurun's motion the second paragraph o
the joint resolution was stricken out. L
was then adopted.
Speaker Downey explained that o.
course no bill passed by this assembly
would effect persons now in office.
IMPORTANT BILLS TO COME.
By MIR. Atberly-Provided for the
election of two or more assessors in eacl
county, and for a more thorough assess
ment of property and TO increase nover