The San Francisco call., 1895-07-20
Stand of the Attorney-General
With Reference to Wage
Claims.
PROMPT ACTION DEMANDED.
Murdock Fall to Respond to
Summons.

torney-General Fitzgerald placed himself
on record as friend of the laborer at the
meeting of the Board of Examiners held
this afternoon in Governor Budd's Office
by declaring that the wage bills of the
State employees must be acted upon at
each meeting of the board when due.
"Never hold over any wage demands,
Mr.. Markley," he said. "Let everything
else go in preference to that. When a
man works he needs his money, and
propose, on my part, to see that no legal
employe of the State in my department is
obliged to sell his just claim"
81 fully coincide with you, general"
heartily reioined the executive.
''Now, see by examining the claim of
the State Mineralogist that he has had
some particular grades of work performed
out of his Office by outside parties" said
the Attorney General. 81 want to say
right here that I am opposed to this.
1 believe the State should retain the
services of as good experts as can be pro-
cured at a rate of salary commensurate
with the work performed. / see that the
State Mineralogist pays his employees but
$100 per month. He employs more men
at lower grade of salary. do not wish
to be misunderstood. His employees are
they certainly should be paid $3.50 per
month, for they fully earn it.
''These men have to climb mountains,
travel over the State and do the hardest kind
of work They should be better paid and
should be men who can transact any busi-
ness the duties of the Office demands. I
think the State Mineralogist should be in
formed that in the future all work pertain
ing to his Office must be done by compe-
tent experts in the employ of that Office.
"As regards this bill of the Bureau of
Highways, contracted before the beginning
of the fiscal year, 1 shall approve it. The
law plainly declares that the members of
the bureau shall enter Immediately upon
the discharge of their duties, and these ex-
penses were contracted to enable them to
abide by the law, but there is one excep-
ton. We cannot allow the salary of the
clerk and stenographer, because the bureau
has not complied with the law in their
case.
''The act plainly says, 'be empowered to
engage competent clerk and stenographer,
subject to the approval of the board
These incumbents have not as yet been pre-
sented by the bureau for this boards ap-
proval, and are, consequently, not legal
employees of the State"
Colonel Maude," called the Governor.
And when he, appeared the matter was
called to his attention and he promised to
attend to it.
''Why are not Messrs. Murdock and
Emeric in attendance2" demanded the
Governor. "Were those subpenas not
served2"
"My clerk went to the Office of the Fish
Commission" answered the Attorney
General, land found they had gone away"
when did they go?" demanded the
executive.
''Three days ago."
stWell, they must have read the news
papers and knew that their presence was
required"
''I notified their clerk" said Secretary
Markley, "and he replied that both Emeric
and Murdoch had heard of the matter
through the press, and had stated that
they would appear before the board on the
26th inst, if that would prove satisfactory"
''I will be absent from town on that
date" said the Governor.
'tWell, these claims will not be acted on
until full board is present." declared the
Attorney General, "and not then unless
these gentlemen put in an appearance, in
company with their clerks and the books
of the commission"
The claim of the Superintendent of Pub
lie obstruction contained an item for
typewriter table in the sum of $35.
"What's this?" demanded General Fitz-
gerald in thunder tones. "Thirty-five dol
lars I purchased one good enough for
anybody for S12 last week. Call Mr..
Black"
The gentleman made his appearance and
explained that his deputy had ex-
planned to the Secretary of State what was
required and he had ordered it.
"Well, we will approve this claim, but
am positive that when the Secretary of
State returns and examines the two ar
ticles of furniture he will agree with
US in declaring that no more $35 typewriter
tables will be purchased for any State de-
partment or institution"
A number of minor claims were exam
ined and the board adjourned.