Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1895-02-03

Why the Present system should Not
he Abolished.

why the Present system Should Not
he Abolished.
Editor Gazette:
Waxahachie, Tex. Jan. 29-As the
idea of necessity of retrenchment has
suddenly become n subject OF much
interest of late to the people at large,
and our legislators. In particular and
the latter are seemingly scanning with
the eye Of an eagle the horizon In
all directions FOR someone OF thing
which may be deVourcd, perhaps few
remarks upon this head relative to one
oil the devices IN that direction, might
not be wholly Irrelevant or inappro-
pirate. one OF these over which there
exists many differences OF opinion IS
the Zee system as 1t at present exists.
a bill now pending before the legisla-
ture provides that the maximum fee
paid to any county officer shall in
no instance exceed $1,000 without re-
gard in any way to the many details
ana the accompanying heavy respon-
slbilities with which they are charged
and for the strict and accurate per-
fOrmancc of all which they are legally
liable upon their official bonds and
oaths, and the present pay of some Of
which is In no wise now commensurate
with the services actually rendered or
abilities eNcrtcd in the Intelligent per-
formance of the voluminous business
now required of them by existing
statutes. As to county judges and dis
trlct clerks, they (aud take Ellis county
as much above the average, few outside
of those possessing populous cities.
probably equaling or exceeding herr
Will not now realize the amount all
lOtted by said bill. As to the assessor
OF taxes, he, from all sources Will not
realize, less all expenses actually and
necessarily and economically incurred
and paid by him more than ScEO0
OF the collector of taxes, he will II col
lections be prompt, less all expenses,
realize from $500 to $1,000 and II Il
We're not for the strict inslstance as TO
valuations of the one and the pushing
qualities of the other, you would each
year see, instead Of an advance, r de-
crease of taxable values In the one in
stance and a larger delinquent list in
the other, In no other offices could
discrimination be more successfully
practiced from political or other selfish
purposes. The county attorney and
Aherim's fees are mutually and almost
wholly dependent on their activity,
keennesS and ability in criminal BUSH
ness In detecting and convlctlng the
various infringers of tho law, and un-
less each be unusually active and sue
cessful, VIII not aggregate respectively
more, II az much, IN fees as those OF
the assessor and collector as is of
record manifest. Where one county at
torney or sheriff grows fat on the per-
quisites of his Office, you will observe
twenty grow cOrrespondlngly lean. The
Office of the county clerk, which by
some is deemed II plum, has also, per-
! haps TO someone's surprise, its thorn.
! OF this office, no one lit can safely he
asserted can form just and correct
| conception of It's various details ahddu-
ties other than those who have in
some measure been connected there
| with, being. as he is, the compiler and
| custodian of all the deed, mortgage,
| chattel mortgage abstract of 1udg-
! ment, progeny lien, mechanics lien.
| estray, trust fund, dental license, mar
| riage license and liquor, bond and
! lunacy records, together with all civil,
| probate and criminal minutes Of tho
| county court, with their accompanying
| dockets, fee books, etc, as well as
| minutes of the commissioners court,
relating to all county business, such as
! roads, scrip, etc, in all OF Its entirety
furthermore, by law he is required ana
! does keep u finance ledger, showing
! the financial condition OF the county,
strict account with all the oilcers
authorized by law 10 receive MONIES
etc, and make quarterly itenl2ed re-
| port of all receipts. expenditures, IN
debtedness or balances of the Ave sew
eral funds of the county, Tor preceding
| quarter Furthermore, he Is required
| and expected to so Keep ana arrange
the mass OF papers. the character OF
which Is legion, in his Office, that any
one desiring to inspect any OF tneh'
/ may md them at q moments nuuve'
| These and n thousand other details,
| Zoo numerous to cite could be mtn-
| TONED ms I'm a measure conveying some
slight congcription or idea OF MS labors
| and RESPONSIBILITIES. In each ana every
case above enumerated, absolute ac-
ouracy and correctness are required,
and the failure of himself or deputies
10 properly enter OF record anu inueA
ianvone OF the above, renders MN
atrictiv and legally liable therefor.
Furthermore. the civil business OF
this comfy as to the clerk has not been
even self-sustalning Tor some .iIn.
mast md II Is a notorious fact that
Inc commissioners court costs the
clerk in services from three 70 lour
times the amount he receives theiFIor,
Moreover. said bill wholly ana utterly
Sl,,r,,,s .bat strongest Of all incen-
lives 10 labor for no man iabois iyr
niaas,tre alone. the same strong spirit
,at ure-es the farmer. the mechanic
- amor artisan 10 labor long ana
labor well Is the hope that by SO uoins
hn may be able when Inc irosts y.
many winters have turned MP suu t',,
Locks 10 gray, TO enter upon ana ENJOY
in sase Inc denominations OF his young
~ e S,s and when that incentive Is
d az IL viii be seen that younger.
less experienced and less able hhnss
viii take the places oil thosc wen
WI re results that then may follow
p,rn,.a sad though stern continent
upon 7 Gather from Governor Galbersons r.,
assase mai he recommends and "a
vnrs hat ali excesses arising above ,s,,,
stated sum. by reason Of snen .,,,r pii u
he turned over 70 the sl,it -, ~ +, re.
re crsdit OF the general funu' ~ -