Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1895-02-28
Fat Offices.

aASN'S VI h'NlNSoNNSi N'OSlSNuIS Va
state, w. r. Chiffon, sent in q state
ment showing the amount Of money
he had received in fees since he took
charge Of the Office on the 18th of
March, 1898. His statement shows
that nc has received St, 220 for the
certificates Of incorporation which
he has issued; Sl,O2S for certified
copies of charters 81, 202.50 for
powers of attorney filed 1899 for
certiiiCatiOns of powers of attorney
1907 20 for notaries commissions
Sl22 for acquisitions 1925 for in
creases of capital stock; S46.5O for
copies Of land grants; S14O for the
appointment Of commissioners of
deeds making an aggregate Of SILL
692.5O. He states that out of this
amount he has been compelled to
pay for extra clerk hire, the amount
appropriated being inadequate for
the purpose. In reply to the ques-
ton asked HIM by the resolution,
how many times he has been APP
pointed attorney for corporations,
and the fees charged for the same,
he states that he has no power to APP
point himself as attorney for a cor
poration, nor has he ever done so.-
He has often been asked to accept
such appointment and he has never
refused to do so. Up to date 3l7
corporations have designated him as
their attorney. The charges for
such services have been made in an
individual capacity as a practicing
lawyer, and in no way as connected
with his Office as Secretary Of State.
He states that other lawyers i'm other
parts of the State have been so ap-
pointed, and that he regards this as
part of his private law business. No
record has been kept of these fees,
and he could not, therefore, report
| do SO.
1t is safe to say that Mr.. Chiffon
got $40 from each of these corpora
tions, making the amount thus re-
ceived in two years S3,l7O, and it is
just as safe to say that these appoint
ments came to him as incidental to
the office he holds. The salary of
the office, in addition to the fees is
ST. 900 year. If, then, to the two
for two years be added, it will appear
that Mr.. Chilton's compensation for
the two years has been SIG, 100. so, or
IS, 354.73 year. When weremember
that the Office involves but little re.
sponsibility, being little more than q
clerkship, and when we bear in mind
that we pay the Governor only
81, 700, and a judge of the Court OF
Appeals only $3.50, the absuIdity
Of allowing the Secretary of State
nearly $4,000 will be apparent to all
In response to similar inquiry
'''"' WV lhouSSi HuullbI JoItlSOI
reported that his fees since he came
into office, March 4th, 1898, had
amounted to Sl3,OSO. If to this we
add his salary of $4,000 year, il
will he seen that the receipts from
his Office during the two years has
been 1850, or So, $40 year.
The Republican Legislature started
out to correct all this but did moth.
ing. They got the facts, but their
greed was so excited by the hope OF
getting the offices two years hence
they refused to 60 further. 1t was only
necessary to pass law requiring all
fees, over and above what would be
fair and just compensation to the
Secretary and Auditor, to be paid
into the State treasury.
The State cannot afford 70 allow
such gross inequality in the compen-
sation of its officials. The INDIE
PENDENT therefore demands a
speedy application of the remedy.