The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1892-03-17
SECRETARY SELLS
He Flatly Contradicts Kentucky
Smiths Charges.
1T EMBARRASSES WASHINGTON
The Argument Of Neither Will be Considered
"A Report on the Home Rule Bill
the Coming Week.
1T EMBARRASSEs WASHINGTON
HERALD BUREAU,
Cor. 18th and G Streets, N. w.

When kentucky Smith, of Ogden, APP
peared before the Senate committee on
tel ritories, he protested vehemently
against the privileges which the
| secretary of Utah territory enjoys from
the issuance of commissions to the several
territorial officers. Mr.. Smith asserted
that the territorial secretary is only en-
titled to his salary, but he went on to state
that the secretary charges fee of S. for
every commission issued, and that his
emoluments for the years 1891 and 1892.
would aggregate S12, 500. This money, MIR.
Smith cottended, was ''filched out of the
pockets of the people
WITHOUT AUTHORITY OF LAW"
Continuing his structures against the Sec
rotary, Mr.. Smith said that even a better
scheme Than the foregoing had been IN
vented for the benent OF the secretary
Inc law, he said, provides, as it does in
most Of the states, that articles of business
incorporation shall be filed with the pro-
bate judge and approved. In order to OBJ
tain approval of these bonds the secretary,
VINO was acting governor at the time, and
| is ct
PRESENT GOVERNOR OF THE TERRITORY,
| insisted on having articles of incorporation
hled with him as secretary of the territory
1t was represented TO him that Ilany of the
corporations were charitable institu-
tons, and that very many of
them were small water corporations that
were unable to stand the expenses and it
was agreed that they should be stricken
out, but that all business corporations
should he recorded in this Office and the
| certificates issued there, and that is pro-
vision that stands to-day. The income
1 from that service, MIR. Smith added, was
something like 81, 900 year. In answer to
queries MIR. Smith said that all of these
moneys were the perquisites in the secre-
/ tary, and that there was no statute author
lzlng him to charge the So. He said, Low
ever, he understood that resolution was
passed authorizing the secretary to charge
fee and 1t was understood to be 81, al
/ though he did not know it was fixed at all.
MR.. ELIJAH SELLS,
secretary of the territory, is evidently ag-
grlved at Mr.. Smiths structures, and he
has laid before the House territories com
mlttee his rejoinder, which is accompanied
| by two exhibits, one being that part of Mr.
/ Smiths address relating to himself, and
which have summarized above and the
other certified copy of the fee bill fixing
the compensation of the secretary. MIR.
Sells says: 'Mr. Smith affrms that the
I
of election. By the commission there has
never been charge Of any amount for GER
tlhcates Of election or for the vast number
of com omissions that have been issued 10
registrars and to judges of elections. Not
one penny has ever been charged for anv
issue by or under the direction of the com
mission. The entire statement is a
and willful character. The commits
sion is composed of intelligent
high-minded and honorable men. l know
| that they give ali their time and study to
the subject committed to them and secure
the most thorough knowledge of the work
IN hand. They are very careful and pains
taking IN the
SELECTION OF GOOD AND IMPARTIAL, MEN
as registrars and judges of elections. I
do not believe more intelligent and lust
commission for this work can be found any-
where
After directing the committees attention
to that clause OF the revised statutes fixing
the fees o. territorial secretaries, Mr. Sells
CONTINUES: "You will see by ths appanded
fee bill that there Is but one class Of com
missions FOR which s. is allowed, and that
is to commissioners Of deeds for Utah in
other states, and the number holding such
commissions you can count on your fingers,
The laws OF Utah require certain officers to
be commissioned by tie governments and
the secretary is allowed fee for issuing
and recording.
REFER YOU TO TIE FEE BILL
as refutation of the absurd and erroneous
statement eminating from Mr. Smiths dis
eaBed brain. During the present session
OF the tab legislature the ices of many of
| the officers are proposed to be reduced.
while the fees Of secretary have not been
disturbed. II is hardly necessary for me
to call your attention to Mr.. Smiths wild
statement in reference to the fees charged
for filing and issuing certificates ard re-
cordldg articles OF Incorporation, while you
have fee bill before you. No greater
charge than the amount allowed by the fee
bill will ever be made. Under the statutes
OF Utah an oyerchstge of fees lie INSIDE
meanor."
Mr.. Sells reioinder was read by Chair
man Washington TO the members of the
House committee at their session this
morning ana il was ordered to be printed
as part of the Utah hearings.
Mr.. WASHINGTON IS EMBARRASSED SOME
by the conflicting stateman which have
been made regarding the administration
of affairs IN Utah. MIR Sells statement
concerning the amount af the fees which
he is permitted TO charge, and the assertion
that he has never charged anything in eX-
cess of those allowed by law, is a fat con-
tradlctlon OF what Mr.. Smith stated to tho
committee. Mr.. Washington cannot for
tn reason use the statements of either of.
these gentlemen as basis of an argument
fer or against the measure and unless MIR.
Smith can substantia,e this charge this
part OF the argument cannot be con sidercd
AT its meeting to-day the House terri
tories committee considered the first
twelve sections of the Home Rule bill and
no opposition was developed except that a
few
MINOR ARRANGEMENTS WERE MADE.
The salary of the lieutenant governor
which is provided for in the fifth section.
is reduced from 81, 900 to $1,000 per annum,
but no changes were made in the salaries
OF the other officers.
Chairman Washington is making com
mendabie haste in giving early considera-
ton to the Home Rule bill. Before the
committee adjourned to day he cal ed
another meeting for tomorrow, at which
the remaining sections of the bill will be
considered. Mr.. Washington Is unable to
say whether minority report against the
bill will be made, but the majority report.
which he will no doubt prepare himself,
will be ready for submission to the House
some time the coming week.
Attempted Suicide Of Ollie Nord.
DENVER, Colo, March 16.-rSpecial tele-
gram to The HERALD. Several days ago
the newspapers of Denver contained n