The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1894-04-25
A MODEST CRITICISM.

AS a general proposition the county
| commissioners have manifested de-
| sire to administer public affairs along
honest and economical lines. Occa-
sionally they err, but they are tract
able and reasonable. In their anxiety
to well and faithfully discharge the
responsibilities they have assumed,
they earnestly and cordially invite
public discussion and good humored
criticism of. their official acts. The
people of Canyon county are grateful
for this exhibition of generous, manly
spirit, as it is the best possible guaran
tee of integrity of purpose. If the
commissioners of Ada county possessed
so happy disposition what a bless
ing it had been to the taxpayers of
that illfated borough. 1t is pertinent
at this time to apprise the Commits
sioners OF Canyon county, that public
sentiment is gradually crystalizing
against the somewhat too liberal con-
struction which has, in the past year,
been put upon that constitutional
privilege providing that the county
commissioners may employ counsel
when necessary. 1t is desirable that
more rigid definition be put upon
the word necessary" that is to say,
the commissioners are urged to con-
strue necessary as meaning iaadispens-
able, not merely expedient or handy.
1t is unquestionably. convenient for
the commissioners to have an attor-
ney in waiting" It relieves them of
the arduous task of determining the
nature of their official duties on every
occasion and, in a measure, shifts
responsibility. Indeed, it removes re-
sponsibility altogether; as, when an
officer can say that he is advised by
counsel, his most vicious acts, by some
magic, are stripped of criminality.
A notable instance of this is found
in the defense made by the officers
of a neighboring county, who excuse
themselves of admitted populations
upon the bare assertion that compe-
tent lawyers advised them that in
particular cases they might steal
without coming under strict inhibition
of statute. The moral right followed
as matter of course. 1t is not sus-
pected that our commissioners are
inspired by any such motives. On
the other hand, it is generally be-
lieved that the object sought is
strict compliance with law. However,
the opinion prevails that the amount
invested for legal acumen is alto
gether out of proportion to the bene-
fits derived. Another, perhaps errone-
Gus, impression prevails. The county
are regarded as a
body of men above the average abil-
lty. One of them is a business man
Of wide experience and repute; anoth-
Or is lawyer by education and
occupies an enviable position in the
profession; the other successful
farmer and miner and also a lawyer
Of no mean accomplishments. When
hose men assumed the offices they
now hold, each took a solemn oath to
discharge the duties thereof according
% the best of his ability natural and
acquired. For some reason or other.
people expect that before employing
outside ability the officers will, at
east, make a reasonable draft on their
'wn. The lawyer may say that he
Ices not propose to practice law.
With equal propriety, the merchant
nay contend that he does not pro-
'ose to practice finance and the far
ner avow that he will not exercise
ommonsense. The accomplishment
4 each is largely matter of educa-
ion and as sacred as that of the
theirs. If in the discharge of their
utles officers are not required to ex-
rclse any ability or faculty except
UGH as they were endowed with at
lrth, why not put in place lot of
oothless babies and employ lawyer
direct and manage them? This is =
hat people are asking themselves
nd we commend the question to the :
ounty commissioners.
We sell Parks Cough Syrup on positive
,arantee to cure all throat and lung troubles.
. has stood the test for many years and to.