The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1891-07-03
Salaries VS.. Fees.

Are the tax payers Of Cecil county ready
to move in practical reform by cutting
down the official expenses of the county?
The call for an independent ticket which
we publised last week and which is repub-
lished this week points to practical method
Of inaugurating such movement as may
result in saving thousands of dollars an
nually TO the tax payers, and in breaking
up the old fee system which is the most
absurd system possible for paying public
officers. The practice CT collecting fees in
lieu Of fixed salary places temptation in
the way of those who cannot always resist it.
Our county officers are paid too much for
the services they render, when compared
with the remuneration received by the pri-
vatc citizen for equally exacting toll There
are plenty Of competent men in the country
who would gladly perform the duties of
chief clerk of the county for $500 and we
doubt not considerably less, SO also with all
the county officers. The system Of fees by
which they are psid is custom that should
be banished TO the limbo of much other old
time rubbish. A reform in this direction
would accord with good morals, true econ
omy, common sense and business methods,
as a bright, honorable contrast with selling
permits to men who had rather fill the
county with drunkards than do honest
work. The States Attorney, in place Of
dipping into the cash box ofthe county to
the tune Of $2500, would be willing TO do
the job Of prosecuting rascals and poor
devils for $1,000, and we would not be sur
prised if the Office was put up at auction for
the lowest bidder that some Of the deciples-
of Blackstone would undertake it for $500.
All the other offices could be reformed at
considerable saving to the tax payers, and
with the collateral benefit of breaking up
the political rings which infest this and
every other county, and which are nothing
short ofconspiracies TO plumber the tax
payers. High salaries command the SER
vices Of The best men in private enterprises,
but in public affairs they tempt thieves to
break in and steal. The higher the salary
attached to a political office, the more in
competent and untrustworthy the incumbent
will, in nine cases out Of ten prove.
Are there two hundred voters in the
county public spirited and independent
enough to come forward and demand
ticket whose nominees shall be pledged to
inaugurate these voluntary reforms and
whose candidates for the legislature are
pledged to do their utmost to have laws
enacted changing the false systems of fees 10
salaries which shall be placed at a minimum
figure? There is a lot of political bum
mers who keep the county in ferment from
years end TO years end, plotting and
planning 10 control the offices. II the SAL
aries we're reduced fifty per cent of these
barnacles on the body polite would in large
measure be starved cut and drop, like
Mckinney, 10 the bottom Of the sea.
Parties are horribly demoralized at pres
ent and the average voter never felt so
politically independent as he does to-day.
The atmosphere is blue with curses in the
democratic camp, and the republican party
has no more chance of getting these fat
Offices than the North East athletes have of
holding that creased fourth Of July pig by
the tail. The lines are ripe for the tax
payers who do not want Office, TO take
hand and proceed TO inaugnrate measures
which will turn portion Of these county
salaries into their pockets in place of the
pockets of the men who sit and watch the
trees which bear the golden fruit from
blossom to ripening.