The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-04-13

DDS of the county court made by The
Herald have had the effect of awak-
ening the taxpayers to the fact that
there is a screw loose in the manage
ment. 1t is generally conceded by all
men of business ability that an issue
OF bonds is the proper way of dispos-
ing of the debt, but until there is
| some economy manifested by the Sc
lectmen there will be no disposition
on the part of the voters to come TO
the aid of the court.
From a concensus of opinion, it is
gathered that the public is greatly
dfSpleased over the action of the
court in refusing the offer of the tax
| payers in relation to a committee
which would have had a duty to per-
form as advisers in the matter of ex-
penditure. The court, in the opinion
! OF many, has shown that it is not
competent to manage its own affairs
and has asked the public to come to
its relief. When the solid men of the
city and county responded to the ap-
peal and suggested n plan, it was
promptly declined and the men who
have wasted their time in attending
meetings and listening to haIangues
by the members of the court and it's
attorney, are told that their services
are needed so far only as to get the
people to vote the bonds and that the
court will do the rest
Had the court accepted the sugges-
tions made, the committee appointed
by the taxpayers would have had
nothing to do as regards the voting
of money. 1t would have offered sug-
gestions for the selectmen to act upon.
OF course Uhe moral effect would have
been in the direction of checking of
pyt XrQc raT Txy1li
is claimed now prevails. 1t has been
asserted time and time again, and
there has been no contradiction of any
of the assertions, that the court is
even more expensive in the matter of
Its own salaries than was the old,
which accumulated this large debt.
When the taxpayers read that it
costs nearly $500 per month for jani-
tors at the county building that the
court itself is drawing about $500
more; that other expenses are allowed
TO pile up day by day until the figures
are appalling, it is small wonder that
the people are suspicious.
At the meeting on Thursday the
readers of this paper will remember
that a bill of $50 from one Bush was
presented to the court for payment.
No items were enumerated; all the
piece of paper stated was that it was
for criminal prosecutions" at Bing-
ham. This same account was read at
the taxpayers meeting by Mr.. Whit
temore and emphasis placed on the
words criminal prosecutions" But
10, when the matter comes up at the
regular meeting and Mr.. Whittenore
suggests that the account be referred
back to Bush for more details, Mr..
Roberts arises in his seat and moves
that the man be appointed police
man" at Bingham at a salary of $50
per month dating from February 1.
Now if this bill was for services
actually rendered in criminal prose-
cutions'' there is not a man in the
county who would object to its pay
ment But surface indications are to
the effect that no criminal work Of
any character was performed by Bush
outside his arrest of the three pros
titues. who We're afterwards brought
here by Sheriff Hardy himself. This
man Bush is already a constable for
Bingham precinct and a deputy sher-
If In either capacity he is a peace
officer and sworn to perform his duty,
for which the law provides that he
shall receive certain compensation.
The peace will not be conserved any
better by his drawing a salary from
the county than when he does not,
If he is true to his duty. If he IS
not the remedy lies in removal and
the appointment of another man.
This is not all. There are we'll de-
fined reports that in the disposition
Of charity. parties who are amply able
to provide for themselves have been
assisted 1t is only charity to say
that in such instances the selectmen
whose duty it is to look after the poor
have been imposed upon. But it is
apparent that some one is negligent
In not properly investigating these
matters.
Perhaps the taxpayers can read
with interest these figures Of the esti-
mated cost of the county government
which relates to the selectmen alone.
At the rate mileage and service are
being charged up it is safe to say
that the expenses of the court itself
will amount TO $500 per month. This
gives total of $4,000 per year. The
janitor bills. if no extra time is al
lowed, will foot up to $3.50. The gar
deners will run $1,000 more. Here we
have for the three se1ectnnen, the pro-
bate Judge and the janitors and gar
deners alone the sum of $12,520 The
salary of the selectnen's clerk and
the attorney are not figured at all.
Taxpayers demand that some Show
ing be made by which it is proposed
to reduce expenses. This was the SEN
tirnent voiced at the last meeting
Until this is done no help need be
anticipated.