The Waco evening news. [volume] (Waco, Tex.) 1891-1894, 1894-05-10
THOMAS AND REFORM
For More Than Two Years the Ardent
Advocate Of Reduction in Salaries.


A representative Of THE News
called yesterday 8, the law office OF
Cullen F. Thomas, candidate for
the legislature,
"It is charged said the reporter
"that you are 8 recent convert 10
the proposed reform in the matter
of compensation for county officers.
How aboet this?'
"It is true that am advocating
this reform on the stump in my cam
paign. But the charge is untrue
that l am new in the faith. AS far
back as two years ago hogan TO
agitate the question. | was then
editor of the Central Texan, and in
its columns placed myself on record
in no uncertain terms. Here are
couple of issues that bear me out.
One bears date February 10. 1892.
From them | extract the following
pertinent paragraphs;
care the services of county
Judge more valuable than district
Judge? If not, cut down the in.
come of the former
care the services of sheriff more
valuable to Texas than those of
governor? II not, cut down the
sheriff's fees"
care the services of county clerk
more valuable than those of chief
justice of the supreme court of the
state? If not, cut down the clerks
income
"Wnat county officer is entitled
to more than s., 600 per annum:
Why should they receive salary
twice or three times as great as your
governor"
81 want it distinctly understood
that | am no new convert in this
campaign. | am on no mans plat.
form, but my own stand now as
/ stood then, h,tfooted for reform
on this question, whenever needed.
However, | claim no credit for
originality, nor can any well in
formed man in McLennan county.
1t is an abuse patent to a | There
have been efforts at legislation on
this line The question has been
agitated in other states of the
Union. The federal statutes limit the
total amount of fees to be received
by the courts. 1t is the
method provided for the clerks of
our higher courts. The press of
the state has for long time clam
ored that it be extended to county
officers. 1t is even a demand in the
state platform of the Third party.
All people of all parties are agreed
that the incomes of all county off
GERS should be curtatled to a fair
and reasonable compensation
'But remember that even were it
advisable, the county officers could
not be put on salaries. The consti-
tuition, whether wisely or unxisely,
prescribes that the sheriff, county
attorney, county Judge, county and
district clerks shall receive as com.
pensatlon such fees, perquisites
and commissions as the legislature
may fix. These Of necessity must
be uniform in all counties. Where
thinly settled, the compensation is
barely sufficient. In few of the
most populous counties the com.
pensation becomes excessive The
only way to reach the evil, without
an amendment to the constitution,
is the passage of law providing
that after these fees have reached a
certain reasonable amount, the sur.
plus shall 60 to the county. A
firm friend of better public roads,
l would be glad to see the excess 90
to the road and bridge fund of the
county. l trust that this explana-
ton of my position is sufficient.
Let the people render unto Ce sar
the things that are Casar's."
A Sound Liver Makes a We'll Man.
Are you Bilious, Constipatcd or
troubled with Jaundice, Sick Head.
ache. Rad Taste in Month FL