Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1896-10-22
LETTER FROM CLERK LYONS.

10 The PEOPLE OF CHEHALI> County:
Two years ago was candidate ior re-
election TO the Office OF county clerk, and
al that time was supported by the Aber-
deem HERALD. which urged my re-elec-
ton because had conducted the affairs
OF the office economically. This same
paper, still under the management Of
Mr.. Clifton, came out last week with
double column article stating that Mr..
Cheney. the candidate for clerk on the
People Party ticket, was ny peer, would
conduct the office with much less ex-
pense, and wound up with something
like the following: "ls95-q6. Salaries OF
clerk and deputies. J. F.. Lyons. clerk,
s22235 96. lSq--9S, Salaries OF clerk and
deputies. B. q. Cheney, clerk, 1881 90.
Saving TO taxpayers. $sS5 90
Any one reading the article referred to
would naturally conclude that Clerk
Lyons had not been as careiu. and
economical during his last term as he
had during tue first one, and il is to cor.
rect tina. impression that this article is
written. for it would grieve me very
much should the people OF Chehal;s
county, 10 whom l feel most grateful,
think l had needessly squaniered their
money simply because i. vas my las:
term, there being a constitutional pro.
vision against third term.
l desire to render an accounting for the
fiscal year used By the HERALD as basis
for lis proposed comparison, and you
shall be the judges as 10 whethe, or not
l have done my duty. To begin with
the HERALD's figures are wrong. He
charges the office with s2235 96 for
salaries, when il should be $685. Sc,
making a difference Of $1,000, which
would increase the proposed saving 10
Taxpayers" to s97596 annually. During
the year referred 10 drew my salary odd.
is it not?J, amounting to 1882 96 and
had q deputy from July l to Decem Der
81, 1895. at 5000 per month, from Jam
uary to May 80, 1896, deputy at $25
per month, and during the month OF
June, 1896, when jury term Of the
superior court was in session all month,
a deputy at 5000. and extra hire for
journal clerk amounting to $500. max
ing in all s2325.9 &c for all labor for the
fiscal year ending June 80, 1895.
H., -
in cash, and turned into the county
treasury. fees amounting to $242- IS.
Thus il will be seen that the Office was
self supporting SO lar as salaries were
concerned, and moreover left cash SUI
plus Of $l0I.s7 to go towards paying the
other expenses Of the Office, Tor printing.
records. stamps, etc, amounting to
siS055; the difference between this
sum and the surplus referred 70, being
s1S.6S, which represents the amour. the
taxpayer has contributed toward the sup
port Of the Office during said year, and
received for said sum services in criminal.
insane. and miscellaneous matters,
am ounting TO $3.50
This is the bes, showing have been
able 10 make during the four years
have been clerk and should my successor
do as we'll. he will, owing 10 the TACT that
the legislature OF 1895 reduced the salary
OF clerk from 1900 TO 1880 per year
pay all expenses and turn over cash
balance, annually. Of 1921 50, besides
doing all county and state work Tor
That. 70 my mind, would te
doing we'll, but the propo s,ion advanced
By the HERALD and Mr.. Cheney is that
he will so manipulate matters that the
county will. should the amount Of work
to be about the same as now,
realize the sun OF so4o-. So in ices Tor an
outlay OF $4,000 for labor thus making
an annual cash profit OF $l07-s3 from
one mans labor, besides the benefit OF
from 800 to 500 worth OF county and
state work. Does il look reasonable? Be
the outcome What it will, | want the
people OF this county 10 remem Der that
have done the very best l could, and II
another does better, will be the first to