New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-03-28
WHERE REFORM is NEEDED
THE SHERIFFS ENORMOUS INCOME.
PROVISIONS OF A BILL TO AMEND THE PRESENT
LAw-IT Is FAVORED by THE CITY CLUB
INTERESTING FIGURES.

INTERESTING FIGURES.
The Tribune has frequently called attention to the
exorbtan fees of Sheriff of this county and has
earnestly urged the enactment of a law 10 reduce
them a reasonable amount. There is no reason
for permitting this particular officer to amass Q
fortune every year at the expense of the taxpayers
bill reduce the fees from the extravagant pro-
! portions which they have reached has been intro
duced In the Senate by Colonel Robertson and In
the Assembly by Mr.. Sheffield, and has received the
hearty approval OF the City Club 1t increased the
Sherins salary from $1,000 to $1,000 year. but re-
qures all fees be paid into the City Treasury, ana
to remain there Under existing law more than one
half of the fees back to the Sheriff The City
Club give reasons, with accompanying figures for
the passage of the bill. follows:
Almost from time immemoria II has been mat
ter of common knowledge that the Sheriff OF New
York County received annually very large in
come from his office. but until 1883 there was some
justification for this, because very heavy pecunary
% s S aaGssd tho to d O n ~
was 50 amended as 70 pa, II In the power OF tnS
this disappearance of liability all excuse or justf-
cation for an abnormally large Income also dis
In 1890 a committee OF the State Senate, engages
In general investigation Of the affairs OF this city
entered into an examination of the methods and
affairs of the Sheriffs )ice. which resulted In the
preparation and passage of the act now sought to
The Sheriff to receive an annual sallry from
the city tire Of H which ror was to eTm
prisoners, certifying the number OF convictions
for all other services performed by him either for
the State OF New-York or for the city and county
tain one-half of the fees received by him for SER
Vices in legal PROCEEDINGS which fees were ere set
The Under Sheriff was to receive salary OF 5000
per annum each deputy sheriff s.? each assista an
All OF these salaries as vel as those IF his clerks ks
office to be paid out OF the city treasury. BY
the same act the fees to be paid the Sheriff for ser
creased such increase ranging from 20 per cent e
400 per cent OF the former fees Tne net result OF
of his deputies, clerks and assistants and all the
expense Of his office are paid out Of the lily treas
ceiving the other half and the fees themselves are
How this act has worked so far as the Sheriff IL
concerned. appears from the annual reports of the
Controller
IN 1891
The received salary f.......... $40 900 %
There was refunded to him as his share Of the
Making his ............ s47 O6s 90
IN 1S32
The Sheriff received salary of........ sl2 900 %
the 424ss 70
Making his ome..............s544s ASS 70
~ 1898
The Sheriff salary f........... sl2 900 %
the eo57sM
Making his total net income .............. s7257s 81
Thus in three ears under tho operation Of the
present. law, the Sheriff has realized the great sum
Dv The 81 1855. above rtfcrrei
The operation OF the present 'aw has not, how
ever, worked so well So far as the city Is con-
cerned
IN is3I
There expended out Of the city treasury for
the support OF the SherNs oH". 81 20 0S4 60
There retained IN tho treasury Of the
fees paid in by the sheriff .............. 424Is 6S
Net TO the city for l>l............. s11 COS IS
~ isg2
There expended city treasury
for the support OF Shers Office Sis s3i 70
There was retained in the treasury OF fees
paid in by the sheriff 5I4si 80
Net tie city 52................ q
L. IS
There appropriated for tn. = ,ppo-t 90 tho
Shcr.fs cihcs. he ra.o - -
There was retained in the treasury out OF fees -
paid In by the sheriff .................. &C 724 =
to the city for 1909 ........... s54 GA 44
SUMMARY FOR YEARS 1891. 1892 AND 1893.
Net income or Sheriff f5f ~
There IA reason why any city official should
receive an annual income averaging upward OF
$500 and there many why
official should receive such income.
The proposed b. Is 10 take effect January 1925,
and will not therefore affect the present Sheriff.
who appointed by The Governor and whose
term expires at the date mentioned. Then a new
sheriff will take Office hold for three years and
unless the bill is amended before his term COM
mences 1t will be difficult. II not impossible. to re-
duce the income Of the Office before 1897.