St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1895-04-02
SHAME BE THEIRS
Meaning Those Of the Ramsey
County Delegation Who
Favor
THE PARTISAN ECONOMY
AS Shown in the Proposed
Measure Reducing the
Salaries
OF THE cITY'S OFFICIALS
Save That Of McCardy, a Re-
publiean--Democrats Are
Singled Out.

Indignation is general over the
proposed measure in the legislature
which cuts down the salaries of the
chief of police and the chief of the
fire department. 1t is strictly a Re-
publican party measure, devoid of
sense and lacking in the elements of
reason and common decency which
should clothe all bills introduced in
the legislature. If its projectors
could hear the opinions expressed by
sensible and prominent men of both
parties, it is more than likely that
they would abandon it now.
Men like the chiefs of police and
fire department, together with the
employees Of the two departments,
each year, and often about the same
number of nights, and at no time in
the history of the city have they
been in the least overpaid for the
valuable and constant service. they
render. The inconsistency as well
as the abSurdity Of the bill is
shown in the fact that, while it
cuts down the salaries of these hard
working chiefs and their men, it
raises the salary of the city comp
troller, who has short hours each
day, never comes to his office on
Sundays or holidays, and when
o'clock comes each man in his office,
as well as himself, leaves the Office
to return no more until the follow
ing morning at o'clock.
The chiefs of the departments
mentioned, as we'll as their men,
never have the time to devote to
worship on the Sabbath day., and
they have no reason to know the
meaning of holidays, for they cam
not observe them. s
This proposed bill cuts down the
salaries of all city officials except
one, and he is a Republican, being
no other than McCardy, comptroller
and alleged watch dog of the treas
ury.
THE MANIFEST ABSURDITY
and political trickery of the bill is
again shown in the fact that the salar-
les of all county officials, save the
county attorney, are allowed to re-
main at large figures. 1t is the pur-
pose of the measure to reduce the sal
aries of the county attorney and as
sistants because-and for that reason
alone-they are Democrats.
None of the city officials are opposed
to having their salaries cut down as
matter of economy, but they are OPP
posed to. having them cut when Off
Gals like the sheriff and clerk of courts
are allowed to retain revenues amount
ine-in the case of the sheriff-to
about $4,000 per year, and the clerk of
courts to about $4,000.
If the Ramsey county delegation is
in favor of economy, it might make
the saving where there is chance,
but it is not only unwise and impolitic,
but inconsistent and contemplate TO
single out the Democrats for reduc-
tons and increase the salaries of the
Republicans. The Inconsistency and
unfairness of the proposed measure is
seen at glance, and it will not be in
dorsed by the sensible and fair-minded
taxpayer. The Ramsey county dele
cation by advocating such measure
will only demonstrate it's absolute I'M
fitness by supporting a measure so
palpably unjust and partisan While
saving of $4,000 might be effected in
the proposed reduction of city officials
salaries, by using the same economy
with relation to the fees Of county Off
Gals, at least 100000 can be turned
into the treasury. and the officials who
claim to have spent from 1000 to S., 900
TO be elected can still draw sufficient
money to reimburse themselves, and
be we'll paid for their ability at that.