The record-union., 1895-12-21
WHAT Is PUBLIC MONEY EX-
PENDED FORs

While prices have been steadily going
down along nearly all lines except those
of rentals, California has not kept pace
with changing conditions by sufficient
II lowering taxation that represents
outgo for State expenses. Wages quite
generally have been declining until
we have approached very nearly to the
Eastern level. But the California wage
Garner finds his tax rate as heavy as
before. Employment is not more fire.
quentIy or advantageously offering, but
the demand upon the employed for
the support of the city, county and
State governments has not much les
sened.
Nearly all the agricultural staples
have declined in price. and the producer
receives very considerably less now for
the same output of labor and invest
ment of capital, but the call upon him
for support of the several gov
ernments under which he lives. main
tains it's high level Under such con-
ditions it will be evident to the most
superficial observer and thinker that
there must be a change along the whole
line of official salaries and a readjust-
ment more in accordance with the abil-
ity Of the taxpayers to respond and
which viii better equalize salaries be-
tween officials.
1t is the purpose of the Record-Union
to thoroughly exploit this whole sub
ject, with a view Of ascertaining where
salaries are too high, were too low and
where there is manifest injustice in
their grading. and where State ex-
penditure in other directions can be
curtailed. We have every reason to be-
lieve that the result of this examina-
tion will show as TO salaries, for in
stance. that those of many grades of
officials can be judiciously scaled down
and adjusted to the new plane to which
nearly all other income is falling That
this must come about, no one can
doubt who gives the subject consider
ate and calm study.
Not only is there too high rate paid
generally, but there is manifest ine-
quality in salary schedules that often
amounts to rank injustice Thus the
State is entitled to the very best order
of legal ability and experience in its
chief law officer. That cannot be com
manded unless the State pays for it
something near what such a lawyer
can make in private practice. In this
instance, the cheapest is absolutely the
dearest. Yet the Attorney General of
California receives no higher salary
than a score of officials serving the
State whose places could be filled by
equally as competent and faithful serv-
itors at much lower salary rate.
The Attorney-General of California
receives $1,000 a year, but the Private
Secretary of the Governor receives
$4,000, the Adjutant- General $1,000
and the assistant in the State Library
within $500 as much as the chief law
officer of California. The Commits
sioner of Labor Statistics is salaried
as is the Attorney General, while the
Debris Commissioner actually receives
5000 more than the law officer of the
State.
These are but samples of inequalities
which will assuredly be adjusted, and
--ar adjustment must be along the
line of reductions. but always with the
necessity for securing competency kept
In clear view.
For the two years ending June 30,
1897. State expenditures will have been
S4S3. 81 less than in the two years end
ing June 80. 1895, and it is safe TO say
that in the two years thereafter there
can be a saving made of double that
amount. From what direction these
economies. are to come, is the matter to
which this journal viii give deliberate
and systematic attention. In the mat
ter of county and city salaries and ex-
penditures for service the same condi-
tions prevail, and the same economies
must be carried out, for that we are to
lower the general level of salary pay
ments for official services may be taken
for granted. It is simply as impossible