The Superior times. [volume] (Superior, Wis.) 1870-1912, 1891-10-03
SUPT. WILLS SALARY.
Interesting Interview with His Fredeces-
in Office,

Interesting Interview with His Predeces-
in Office.
MADISON, Wis, Sept. 25.-J. b.
Thaver, ex-state superintendent D
schools, was in the city to-day and was
interviewed on the question of the
superintendent's salary. ~ do not be-
iieve," he said, that the act
giving the state superintendent
the 81 soc for travelling expenses is I'M
constitutional, but l have my doubts
abort the validity of the law giving him
clerk hire unless he presents vouchers
that the amount has been expend
ed for that purpose. OF course
the secretary of state was authorized
by act of the legislature to draw war-
rants for the amounts in favor of the
state superintendent. These war
rants are sent TO the state
treasury and are there receipted
for by the superintendent. The secro-
tsry OF state draws these warrants The
same Gs others, and neither he nor
the person receiving them sis
in Judgment upon the consti-
nationality Of the law. That il
a matter for the courts to decide, and
best this is a poor way Of paying state
. GERS, aud was always distasteful 10
me, but what else could be done :
No man can take the office and live
upon the money which the constitution
allows him. 1t would be simply an inn
possibility unless he lad some other
business and only devoted a small por-
ton of his time 10 the state.
The work which the state supefin
tenuent is asked to DO and must do i
he acc0mplishes anything is a great, ii
not greater, than any other Of the state
officers. There is absolutely 10 limit t.
the time which can he put in TO sd
vantage III the work. 1t requires
executive ability coupled with
good Judgment, diplomacy, and
some legal trainin9, to be the best kind
of a head to the educational department
arise and must be decided are mutt
fari0us. The advice which must III,
gwen should have behind IL a elose
study Of the case in hand,
and be given 50 plainly that there can
be no mistaking ii by school officers,
many Of whom III the state are not ~
in their business.
Twelve hundred dollars? Why.
there IS no reason why the officer
should not have salary as large as that
OF amy state officer. and it is shame
lie does not get it. called MIR.
Wells attention TO the indirect way
in which the money was received and
told him that while | believed there
WAS 10 question about his right TO the
81 600 expenses, thought if The matter
ever came into court the SI,G0W
clerkhire might be nuilited unless
vouchers were presented. On the cues
ton as to the probability of suite to re-
cover the amount paid TO the state su-
perintendent he said: 4 have not
been in the state long enough
to know exactly the situation OF
affairs, but | will cheeriuliv pay over
the money received by me over and
above the amount for which | have re-
ceipts rs actually expended if the state
obtains Il judgment against me for the
amount. Mr. Wells is in a
peculiar situation. 1t appears
20 be the money that he Is going to get
that this suit seeks 10 shut OF, while il
is q different matter when that which
has been paid cut according To law
whether shat law be valid or inyalid-is
Sought to be recovered