Little Falls transcript. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1876-1894, 1894-03-16

Last weeks Herald, in speaking OF
the candidacy of Ethan Brown for
city clerk, says:
+ "Ethan is a good boy, and is pop
ular among his friends in this city.
He is running against a man who
has a strong following in the city
and it will be impossible for Ethan
to be elected. Mr.. Brick, the pres
ent city clerk, and candidate for re-
election has 80 creditAbly conducted
the business of the office, and is such
all honest and upright man that the
people believe in him and his re-elec-
tiOn is assured"
That an official performs a clerical
duty well is commendable, and it is
not charged that either Mr.. Brown
or Mr.. Brick is incompetent to per-
form the duties of any Offices they
have filled, OR for which they are
candidates. Mr.. Brown was cer-
tainly an efficient and satisfactory
postoftice clerk, and although a DEM
Ocrat he was retained in that posi-
tiOn by Republican. When the of
fee passed into the hands of Mr..
Medved, Mr.. Brown was replaced by
new man who, it is generally un-
derstood, was named by the owners
of the Herald. In that case the Her.
aid did not use its influence to retain
man because he was competent
and honest. In Browns case, he
was thrown out of the only job he
had In time when no new positions
were open to men, as the number of
idle men was then and has since been
large. He is now candidate for
one of the Offices held by Mr.. Brick,
that OF city clerk. Mr.. Brick is also
deputy auditor, and dra ws from the
county nearly $500 a year, which is
certainly very much above the in
come OF the average citizen of the
city. A few years ago when the de-
putty auditor received scarcely half
that pay, the position was eagerly
sought, and now that it provides
very good income, it seems hardly
fair that to it shall be added the in
come of the best city office-amount-
ing to between $4OO and $500 a year.
When the deputy auditors salary
was rather small there was logic and
fairness in the argument that it was
right that he should hold another
Office, but that time has passed. Mr..
Bricks pay Of nearly $66 a month as
deputy auditor is fully sufficient for
him. With the addition of the city
clerk Is salary he has a better income
than either County Auditor Ellen
becker or County Treasurer. Meyer,
who are in addition subject to great
responsibilities, and also to the
heavy expense OF county campaign
every two years. In fact, his income
is greater than that of any of the
salaried officers of the city or orcounty.
No charge of modesty can be made
against himself or friends in their de-
mand that he be continued in both
his positions. But it is unfair to the
community as taxpayers and voters
that one man be placed in two Of
fees, either one of which provides an
income of good Dimensions. The
candidacy of Mr.. Brown seeks only
to gain for him one~office, and it's re-
linquishment will still leave Mr..
Brick with a very good office.
Regardless of the feelings this COM
munity may have for Mr.. Brown and
Mr.. Brick, it is certainly proper and
fair that the present deputy auditor
and city clerk should becontent with
the single office of deputy auditor.
His only opponent is one who will
perform the duties of his Office satis-
factOrily, and as native and con-
tinuous resident of this city is enti-
tied to the respect and friendship of
his fellow citizens.