The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-03-24
COUNTY OFFICERS MEET
Decide to Attack Fee and Salary Bill,
and Retain Well.Known Attorneys.
Journals Predictions Confrmed-When You
See l, in the Journal Its So-ReasOns
for Defeating Observation-Disclosures.
CARRYING OUT THE PLOT.

County Officeh0lders Moving to Overthrow
the Fee and Salary Law.
meeting of sheriffs, auditors. treasurers
and recorders of counties was held yester-
day afternoon at the Hendricks Club
room. Sheriff Fredericks. of Lake county.
was made chairman of the meeting and
Sheriff Rickarts, of Vanderburg county.
was elected secretary. A general discus
sion of the law developed the fact that
there is great unsnimity Of feeling that
the law is unjust to the county officers
affected. and 1t wGs said that in
many counties the sheriffs have paid
out more than their salary amounts
to, AID are actually running In
debt. The testimony was that the law has
many points on which it may be attacked
in the courts on the grounds of unconsti-
tutionalIty, and it was decided to retain
attorneys for the purpose of testing the
law. A committee of one from each con-
gressional district was appointed to have
this matter in charge and Sheriff Emmett.
of this county. was put on the committee
from this district. The committee called
on Judge Elliott ana Judge Ayres. and re-
tanned their services. The attorneys were
not prepared. IL Is said. to give an opion at
fee and salary law of 1891, and let the COM
mittee know what their conclusion is. The
meeting adjourned to meet at the call or
the secretary.
This action confirms the prediction of the
Journal at the time Of the effort OF the
Legislature to amend the fee and salary
law. There was so much chicanery at the
time of it's passage. and so much or dis-
position to appear to satisfy the people.
while really practicing deceit, that there
NO mr. m N
bill from unconstitutional features. II. IN
deed. the McHugh element did not con-
trive to slip IN o few such weaknesses.
in order that 1t might be overthrown. The
ton until after the term of the county
officers then standing for election was evil
dence enough of the lnsincere purpose OF
the Legislators. During the recent Legis-
lature the Republicans and the few honest
Democrats made repeated efforts to amend
the law so as TO correct it's defects and put
1t on o constitutional basis. The lobby of
choke them all Off They would rather
have the law. which works q hardship
for time as it was so that 1t could be at
tackled and overthrow in the courts. This
would reinstate the old fec and salary bill,
under which the county offices were gold
mines. A great many OF these oiboes are
yet operated under this law. Indeed. the
only county officer in Marion county who
has yet felt the effects of the law
Is the sheriff. His recent report
shows the receipts of his Office less than
the salary. which must first be received in
fees before he receives anything. On the
other hand. it is accepted that the county
auditor has not less than $4,000 year
clear of expenses. and the county treas =
urer cleared SIS, 600. ir is said, ont of hi >
Office last year. The county recorder and
clerk make fortune every year out of
their offices.