The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-02-01

for all the offices. / am confident / know
corders and sheriiss are concerned, but rhe
people have been led to believe otherwise,
and 50 long as this is So, from a partisan
standpoint 1 would not have a re-enact-
ment of a fee law exclusively at this time.
1t is the just and equitable law, however,
no on. otha pal''S The snf iaw q s .s5i Mas Da Unfair al ana IN
every way. 1t was neither based on popula-
ton, service required, or equity. liz seemed
to be a go as you please measure with
out investigation. as salaries We're given
as representatives interested enough to so
over the bill saw fit to apply them
ILLUSTRATING THE POINT.
AS to a bill on population purely let us see:
We will take Ohio county, with the least
population of any county in the State, and
say the clerk should have $1,000 salary.
Ohio county, with an approximate popula-
ton of 5000 would take a per capita of al
most II cents. This rate would give Marion
county a salary of $355, 700 and ST. Joseph
So, $50. or more than the fees collected. and
in either case will not do as to the larger
counties. To show further the f~allacies of
the law of 1891 we will make a few COM
parsons. Let us take:
Allen county, with a Superior Court ana
separate circuit; population, 1900; vote, To-
Ave in term at a cost of $3.50; bond, $1,000;
953 civil and l62 probate cases; salary, So,oVO.
Madison county, soon to have a superior
ton, 5000; vote, 1900; fees collected, $1o.-
600; four deputies and five III term, at q cost
of $500; bond, $4,000; LIS civil and Ssl pro-
bate cases; salary, $500.
Vanderburg county, with a Superior Court
and a circuit with Posey; popniation, $1,000;
vote, II, 800; fees collected, $9,4VO; two depu-
ties; 1900 civil and 1874 probate cases dock
eted in 1894; bond, So, 900; salary, $500.
st. Joseph county, soon to have a Superior
Porte; population, $1,000; vote, 1850; fees
collected, $500; three deputies; 1,os7 civil
and 237 probate cases docketed IN 1884; bond,
SS0 000. salary x3 S0
Martin county. in a circuit with Daviess;
population, $4,000; vote, ESQ; fees collected,
$1,000; no deputy; bond, $1,000; salary, SLIGO.
population, LOCO; vote, 2,1S1; fees collected,
$500; one deputy. $500; bond. 5000; salary,
$1,000.
Gibson county. in a circuit with Pike and
Dubois; population, 31,000; vote, 600; fees
collected, $500; one deputy and two In term
soo. a cost OF si'1O' p0h0' sl0''V' sA'Ais' -
clinton county, in a circuit by itself; pop
ulation, 1000; vote, 1000, fees collected, So
600; three deputies at 9 cost OF $l,700; bond,
$40, 900; salary, 81. 500.
These comparisons are given, not to show
any county in a bad light, but TO show the
inequalities of the old law and to warn you
against a repetition of them. l nave these
statistics from a large number OF counties.
cred was as follows:
We have subcommittee OF i've members
from each class of officers, that is, five au-
ditors. five treasurers, etc. The chairmen
of these committees constitute the executive
committee. Each member OF the executive
committee sent a question blank to every
officer of his kind In the Slater For IN
stance the clerk sent the following questions
what was the population of your county
in 1890? Population of your county in 1894?
Vote of your county in 1890? Vote of your
Days court sessions in 1894? Probate cases
docketed in 1890? Probate cases docketed
in in l lssa? Civil AND criminal erimilai cases cases a aocketed
in 1894? What was your bond in 1890? What
was your bond in 1894? What did your Of
fee pay in 1890? What Is your present sal
airy in 1894? When did your term Of office
begin? When does your term expire? Give
name of ex-clerk? What counties in your
| judicial district? Have you a Superior
deputies? How many deputies do you EN-.
p phouia b be You your pr salary Ief il e So S paia9, "na'
The same comparison will hold true as to
auditor. treasurer. recorder and sheriff ]
give this to show the nature of the Stats
| ties gathered from the officers of the varf-
Gus counties, each officer having been SEM
a blank similar to that given. Ny knowl.
| edge of the people in the various counties
teaches me, and probably does you, that To-
cally the people want their officials to have
ries down in neighboring counties. o.
course. this is selfish, but humanity is prone
SYSTEM IS NEEDED.
haphazard, law, such as the one of 1891
will never be satisfactory. A permanent
L law ulQSt ave Jill -
grade the offices as to business of the cpun.
ty. Under this law. also, I will say I an
satisfied there are numerous larger coun-
ties where the salaries are much less thar
the fees, where, when the salary is collect
ed, the official never issues a fee bill, an6
the county is no better off than before The
law was enacted. I speak from a business
and political standpoint when / ask, would
you. gentlemen, issue a fee biH against 9
friend and personal acquaintance unless
there was some incentive for so doing
There should he some incentive for the
clerk, sheriff and recorder TO collect fees
for the auditor to loan the school funds anC
for the treasurer to collect delinquent taxes
The official cannot be placed on a per cent
of the collections more than on population
alone, for in some counties the fees are
barely enough to cause good service as it is
saSent yss oni sl b,, are eba aol Z s Tbe " a lasc gsn
orally from the best men in the community
1t takes an energetic, reliable man to com
ties and to give the required bonds. Then
I believe, statistics will bHsr me out il
the statement that the per cent. of the
defalcations is fully as small as in othel
offices or in any other responsible positions
If salaries are placed too low then this clas
OF efn nsn ! Tl no nGs aesep &c q 9hs clerk I a Of free St, J &
increase in salary. I could clearly see tina
titled the clerk to a larger salary if he EN-
ployed competent deputies and enough o
them TO give the people Sood service.
Let me again repeat that we are not her
to influence legislation in the ways implies
by tha press. We have no lobby, and, Il
fact, / have in every way possible takel
pains to advise county officers to remain
away from Indianapolis for fear the charg
of lobbying might be preferred. Our asso
citation is not for revenue alone. The ex
change of IDEAS has been of great aid il
simplifying books of record and causing les
expense to the counties. The association
should be encouraged, and it would be econ
omy for each county to appropriate sum
to defray the expense of every official i
the courthouse to our convention in June.
To make a law satisfactory to the peopl
at this time is my wish, but to be roo lavlsl
or too niggardly is to be avoided. We hop
this committee will take into considerable
what the people expect of the ofiicials; b
honest with all, and / believe that you vii
not only formulate a bill that will stan
the test of the law, but merit the confdenc
of your constituents. We do not want
partisan law, or retaliation will come, bu
see that all officers of the same grade ar
treated alike. Give compensation enough
so that the ofncer can give proper care t
his duties and do justice TO himself and tn
people.
Il will say, in conclusion, that if, in tn
preparation of a bill, you can use any c
the statistics VIC have they are at your serv
ice, or if any member of our association ca
give you desired Information we Will be gla
to have you call on US.
Nrox,- oonflaroan 7 raoEa the same Panlae