Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1890-09-10
REDUCING THEIR PAY.
The Alliance Asking that the Coun
ty be Saved Some Money.
interviews with Various People Bring
Out General Opinion Concerning
the Proposed Action.

The members Of the Farmers Mutual
Benefit association and the Farmers All
lance have sent to the board of super
Vlsors numerously signed petition re-
questing that body to reduce the salaries
of county officers, as well as that of the
steward of the poor farm, to 81, 200
year. and in the case of the sheriff that
the present amount alowed-fifty cents
for the daily board of each prisoner be
reduced to thirty cents. With regard to
this move numerous persons have been
asked their opinion by an ARGUS repre-.
sentative, and the feeling would seem to
be generally uniform that reduction is
neither just nor desirable
In respect to the county Judge, it is
argued that in the first place the man
ought to be lawyer. on account of the
legal matters that 1t all times come before
that official. 1t is position requiring a
peculiar knowledge, and one that even
successful practicing attorney sometimes
knows very little about. The interests
committed to the care of this tribunal
the county court-one not only varied
and intricate, but of the most important
character 1t is there the worldly effects
of the widow and the orphan are looked
after and cared for; it is there the insane
are protected, and it is there a large por-
ton of the general business OF the coun-
ty is transacted. 1t requires man with
u clear head, humane heart and an
equitable disposition. The salary now,
in all reason, Is small enough, and to re.
duce it to the sum named, would not only
belittle the office, but make it perhaps
difficult TO properly fill it. For while
there may be number of persons who
will work for and accept any
office at any pay il does not follow that
the most fit and proper person can always
be secured. Like all Judicial positions, it
is one of dignity and one requiring men,
tai and legal training.
The Office of sheriff is the most impor-
tant In the county. all things considered :.
He is its chief executive. and, in fact, its
only one, as all matters of that nature are
performed by ano through him and in his
name. All the wri,s issued in the county
are served by him. The county buildings
are in his charge. The jailer is under his
control and the under sheriff and deputies
are by him chosen, and he is held &C
countaDle for their various acts. The
prisoners are cared for under his direc-
ton. He supplies them with food and is
responsible for its quality. HIS bond is
large, and taken altogether it will be
seen that the place is one that cannot well
be filed by everyone who might desire the
office. Honesty, integrity. executive,
ability, fearless disposition, knowl-
edge of the county and those who live in
it, are some of the qualifications neces-
ssry for this position. That this officer is
not by any means over.paid is conceded
by everyone who was spoken to on the
subject. The present price of -four and
other materials for the feeding of the
prisoners would demand that the present
rate be continued
| The treasurer, too. gives bond of inn
tvs purse and is the county's paymastel
and his position should at least place him
beyond the power of temptation. A
position that REQ lires hundreds of thous.
ands of dollars il bond is certainly one
of some value and trust. and to reduce
the emolument to that of an ordinary
clerk neither look just nor reasonable and
is not ia keeping with the trust reposed
The labor of the office is 'of particular
kind and method and clearness are botf
required.
OF the other offices it is not necessary
to speak at present The argument of
fered is that the farmers do not take
proper view Of the situation. That the,
are too apt to judge of the salary of al
official by the pay allowed workman or
the farm, not taking into consideration
other essential matters in connection. ]
is said, too, that while the county is il
debt, it is not through the excessive sal
aries paid the county officials, as all tn,
offices are more than self-sustaining aut
have been ever since the fee system wa!
dropped under tue operation of the new
constitution. 1t is limited also that tn'
supervisors themselves should begin tn
matter of retrerchment by reducing tn
number of their members. That instea,
of twenty-four county representatives ii
that body, half 4. dozen or less would an
swer the purpose equally well. if not bet
ter. That the body is too unwieldy a
present and that no good purpose
served by having it so large.
The above are some of the ideas ex
pressed by different persons when ap
preached upon the subject of reduction @
salaries. The matter will be fully dis
cussed, no doubt when the petition come
from the hands of the committee to whoI
it was referred.
s,Ourt Cuttings.