Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1897-05-26
rs p:NoaAM ON BOTH srDEs'

En,ToR louRNAL: Was pleased L
notice the last stand taken by th'
city authorities IN regard to the con
templated repairs on the bridge
across the Willamette river at Salem
The city should not assume coniroi oI
this bridge. II the city contributes
one-third OF the cost Of these repair
that is as much as IL should do. Nc
responsibility for the care and repair
of the bridge should be assumed oy
the city fathers. Mr.. Bingham VINO
seems To be the legal adviser for the
CITY and county should he required u
give an opinion that will not cOnhlcI
with the double capacity in whlch
he aunears to act. We understand
that he is paid s25 per month as legal
adviser OF the county and extra COM
pensation for legal services that re-
auire profound and methOdicai
thought. How much is he paid by
the city? Can he fairly advise the
city and county where their Interests
conflict? IL is yeiy difficult To 90
this. Mr.. Bingham cannot point out
a section ora provision Of law wherein
the city is Obliged TO keep up bridges
between different counties between
Polk and Marion See section 10 OF
the charter passed in 1893. Have him
construe section 4l42, Hlll's Code. III
is almost impossible for Mr.. Bingham
to serve two masters and be FAIR ana
honest In his opinion to each one
where there are opposing interests.
A fair and honest Interpretation OF
the law is wanted. The burdens OF
the city at present are great and no
more should be forced upon IL. Let
the interests OF the city alone be con-
sldered by our city council.
A LAWYER.
1.-THE JOURNAL cannot imagine that
Mr.. Bingham would do such thing
as to be counsel for both city and
county. 1t is true, he is special at
torney for the county over the head
OF the district attorney. But that
is matter for the county court to de-
termlne. II Judge Terrell needs a
special legal adviser at S25 month
he can't be prevented from employing
one. 1t may be cheaper than to
furnish his own legal advice. 1t Is
certain that Mr.. Bingham has been
drawing up ordinances for the city
council He has also been employed
by the finance committee Of the city
council to recover the city's funds
from Mayor Richardson's busted bank.
This same finance committee may
have the benefit of Mr.. Blngham's
advice on other financial matters in
which the city Is interested. But
where the finances of the city and the
cDl1ty are so diametrlcally opposed,
as on the question of the expenses Of
maintaining the big bridge, the
city or the county will have big bill
To pay. Mr.. Bingham cannot advise
both sides on such matter and as a
professional man, under pay, give
honest advice. This Is an important
matter, because both city ana county
must pay Mr.. Bingham and 1t all
comes out OF the taxpayers. But the
taxpayers are not the same. If Mr..
Bingham lis protecting the county
taxpayers against the city, theyought
to pay him. II he is protecting the
city taxpayers against the county, the
city ought to pay him. Both ought
not TO pay him for what he can render
only one. The criticism aboye made
Is just one and in the interests Of
the public and Of the legal profession
Mr.. Bingham ought to resign one
ofilce or the otherl Ed. JOURNAL.