The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1892-06-22
THAT EXTRA SESSION.
Governor Markham Desires More Light
on the Subject.
He Wants TO Know the Exact Condi-
ton Of Affairs-His Letter TO the
Supervisorial Boards.

NJ. r. Higgins, Private Secretary to
Governor Markham, was yesterday en-
gagged in forwarding to the Chairmen of
the various County Boards of Super
visors circular letter, in which the Ex-
ecutive asks for specific information con-
corning the alleged motive in petitioning
him to call a special session of the Legis-
lature. These petitions were received from
twenty-eight counties, and Governor
Markham desires honest expression as to
the so-called necessity that exists for
extra clerical hire. In this letter he sub
mits the following queries:
First-Does the decision affect your county,
and is it absolutely necessary that your
county officers should appoint deputies to be
paid out of the County Treasury?
Second-Has your public business greatly
increased since the present incumbents as
sumed their duties?
Third-Are the salaries of incumbents in
SUFFICIENT for an actual living if they pay the
salaries of such deputies as are absolutely
necessary Tor the transaction OF public BUSH
ness?
Fourth-Has public business accumulated,
or IS il accommodating, to such an extent that il
Will virtually cease 10 be transacted in your
county?
If the opinion of your board is not an unan-
imous one il is requested that you send the
individual opinion or expression of each
member, as the Governor desires to hear from
each county affected before coming to any
conclusion in this matter.
1.-THE object OF the circular" said Mr.
Higgins To RECoRD-UNIoN reporter, lis
TO ascertain from the Board of Super
visors, who are the legislators for the
county, whether the various county Off
GERS, in signing the petition, presented
the facts exactly to the Governor. For
instance, the officers OF several counties
receive as much salary as they did under
| the previous County Government Act.
Some of these counties, as the census
shows, have increased scarcely any within
ten years. 1t does not seem possible
that the public business has during the
incumbency of the present ofIicers-that
| is, within eighteen mOnths-increased 50
rapidly as to become a burden. The
Board Of Supervisors owe it TO the people
to give the Governor a correct statement,
so that he may know exactly how many
counties are seriously affected by the de-
cisiou in Dougherty VS.. Austin.
I'm comparing Los Angeles and Ala
media Counties person can see the diff
culties under which the latter labors.
Alameda County officers, Clerk, Sheriff,
| etc., receive from $4,000 to $4,000. In
| Los Angeles County the same officers re-
! ceive, say $500 per annum. Deducting
| this amount from the former leaves suf-
! ficient amount to pay from eight TO ten
| deputies at 500 per month.
"This circular is sent out, therefore, to
| ascertain why Alameda County officers,
as well as those of other counties SINH
! larly situated, should sign the petition
| setting forth that it is absolutely neces-
| sary to have deputies paid out of the
! County Treasury; and if business has in
creased since the present incumbency
assumed the duties, and if public bust
ness has accumulated to such an extent
that it will virtually cease to be trans
acted"