West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1895-01-31


money stringency which VIC have
been passing through for the past
two years, have in their wisdom re-
fused to refund this p per cent.
bclie'e the Court has been largely
influenced in this matter by public
sentiment, which is 80 prevalent
among the people that public OIL
ciaIs grow enormously rich at The
expense OF the taxpayer. But this
Is false presumption, however,
from the fact that after all those
losses which have enumerated are
taken fiom the salary OF Sheriff.
there is very little left. / do not
receive in way OF salary rs Sheriff
over $1,000. and my income ms
Jailer. | should say. is about $500,
which makes about t2.iOO. Now,
/ pay my deputies annually $3.50.
leaving me $40. From tins $40
we must deduct $3.50 for making
out my tax books. making my net
income about $500"
"Fhen the Sht riIfalty of Preston
county 10 not such a private snap
rs Is generally believed by the
people ?"
"No, indeed. Allow me to apply
the reportal pump TO you and ask a
question. How many Sheriifs OF
Preston county have anassed n
fortune during their mbency ?"
This was u sumner, and one
which the reporter vas unable to
answer. and the Sheriff was greatly
amused ut putting the quill-driyer
in hole. The Sheriff realizing
cur position, aid
The reason so many Sherifrs
fall, and occasionally commit sui
eide, IS the false presumption in
which they are led to accept the
office. They have the same idea.
which is so common with the peo-
pie, that in public Office there is
big money, and on this erroneous
presumption they euter office and
contract expenditures, which. when
they begin to collect, they find that
tho collections will not meet M tual
expenditures incurred. Again, be-
llevlng that there is ample money
in the Office to make themselves
whole ut the end of their term. they
arc lenent with the taxpayers, and
it frequently occurs that they use
their own private means, or borrow
money to meet their payments,
leaving their TO u great extcnt in
the hands OF the people, wh;ch pro.
longs their term. and ins;cId OF
taking fear years to collect the
taxes It usually taxes six ye,rs,
ihns hc"rrins an expense which is
very CO tIy"
as it frequently said that you go
to tha cy'rc"c in the opposite di-
rection by exac'ing of the people to
pay their taxes when they fall due 3"
'Seif-preservation is he ;rst law
OF nature. AMI II is also said eth It
he WHO provl,leth not for his own
household is wor4e than an infid.l.'
AMI entered uron the Shcriifal,y
with the fnll determination to pro-
tect myself and provide for my
household. and in doing this, |
protect also my numerous friends
who have so kindly went on nv
bond. IL this be considered crime.
| plead guilty"
Had Won an idei of the multi
plIcity of difficulties which the
Sheriff has TO labor under before
you entered Office ?''
"lndeed. | had. For years have
been connected with the fiscal af-
fairs Of the county, and have made
1T thorough study in all thnt per.
talns to the Offices of this county. /
will snY, however. that when / was
elected Sheriff expected to receive
the full emoluments OF this Office.
which has been denied me to some
extent. Idid not seek the Sheriff
atty for the monetary consideration
80 much as an ambition TO be Sheriff
of my native county. This ambition
has been reaIized, and | have bur
one object in view now. md that i,
to serve the people fuithlully. and
vt the expiration OF mY term 10 be
IN position 10 meet all my obliga.
iions pertaining to The Office OF
Sheriff Of Preston county"
"Did You ever harbor the thought
that you could not successfully ran
/ the Offippp Al on, 49,, =.