Arizona weekly journal-miner., 1896-10-21

opportunities of knowing pretty definitely what this amounts to, places it about equal to the criminal business.
 During MT. O'Neilrs incumbeucy of the sherifrs office, Yavspai coun- ~ embraced all the territory of Coconino and that portion of Gila county known as Tonto Basin. The principal item of fees in civil eases, as iu criminal business, Is mileage, and to serve papers n this remote territory, now embraced in these two counties, was expensive to lItl- gaats, but TemuneTative to the sheriff, Sc that, the estimate that the fees oi the office in civil eases equal those of the criminal business, IS probably not over stated. But m orier not to do MT. ONeill an injustice in the matter, and to place the amount within reasonable bounds, let it be estimated that his fees from these sources amounted to SAl0OO, which Is only about one half the amount received from the county for criminal business, and II swells the aggregate received for his services as sheriff for the term of two years to S5S,Si5.97
 Mir. O'Neill now prates glibly about a reduction of salaries of pub he officials. He drafted the plat form of the recent poPulist conyen- ton, and here IS what be incOrpor- ated into it on that subject:
 ''We denounce As cTimInally ex- trayagant and wasteful, the manner in which the finances of YayapaI county have been mismansged in the past, and believing that the compensation paid public officials IS far in excess of the compensation received by any other class of labor, We urge the passage of law by the next legislature reducing all official fees and salaries, and absO- lutely prohibiting the net fees and emoluments allowed any county off cer to exceed the sum of twenty five hundred dollars per annum."
 The gentleman has either held or has sough; office ever since his first advent into the territory. Did any one ever hear of his advocating a reduction of salaries during the pe- riod he was holding office, or has this change of heart not come oyer him since he has been repudiated by the people, and in the hopes that he may gain votes thereby and again be helped into official Position'
 Is there an intelligent man who believes in his sincerity now. If he possesses the sympathy be now ex- presses for the taxpayer, why did he not turn all of that S5S,Si597 back into the treasury except the net sum of $500 per yearf
 In addition to this S5S,S45.91, which he received from the people of this county, he received several hundred dollars more in the shape of rewards, the exact amount, of course, We have no means of ascer- taining, but probably enough 10 swell the total to S60,OOOOO But even then be was not satisfied, and he sued the county for an addition al sum of S2,364S0 While the su- preme court rendered decision ad- versely to him, and iu favor of the taxpayers, upon whom he now so lavishly places his affection and sympathy, 1t cost them the sum of SS4S.92 to prevent him from extract ing an aggregate which would have amounted to over S60,OOO from their pockets for his two years services.
 The items for this expense are as follows:
 Attorneys fees. .S2j0 O0 Printing brief. f............ 62 % Transcript. ........-....... Sl 92
 In rendering its opinion the su- preme court closed the judgment as follows:
 1t Is further ordered that appel lant recover of appellee his costs in and about this suit in this court, taxed at SI30.25."
 Itis pertinent to enquire of this appellee, who is such a sincere friend of the taxpayer, if he has ever satisfied the judgment of the court in this suit. by the payment of these costsi If not the present would be an an opportune time for doing so.
 In 1898 We find that while Mir. O'Neill's personal assessment had been declining his right hand had not forgotten its cunning and the sum of S400 was drawn out of the county treasury by him ss an.expert to examine the books of the probate judges office.
 By footing of the above separate items, it will be seen that during his fourteen years residence in Yavapai county he has drawn from the tax papers of the county, directly or in- directly,
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