Eureka weekly sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1887-1902, 1897-02-06
=. WHIPPING THE DEVIL
ABOUND THE STUMP"
From the Reno Journal.

From the Reno
The Legislature Of 1898, which was
dominated by the Silver party. undertook
to reduce the expenditures Of the State
Government. In this direction, by con-
solidstion OF State offices and the reduc-
tion Of salaries oil State officials, over
SIS. 600 was saved to the taxpayers in
1895 and 1896 % compared with the years
1898 and 1894. In efecting this reduc-
tion the Lieutenant Governor, who hith.
erto had received . salary Of $500 Q
year, was relieved Of the duties Of Adju-
tant General and State Librarian and his
compensation reduced to . per diem OF
ten dollars per day while presiding in the
Senate. The Governor as Commander
in-Chief Of the National Guard, was EN-.
powered to appoint IN Adjutant General
whose soils and only compensation was
mileage when travelling on official busi-
ness. 1t was made the duty Of the Sec
rotary of State to act as State Librarian
without compensation. The Governors
salary was reduced $1,000 . year; the
Attorney Generals salary $1,000 . year ;
the Secretary Of State, Controller and
Treasurer each 5000 . year, and the sal
aries Of all deputy State officers were re-
duced from 81 1000 to 81, 200 q year. A
great reduction was also made in the ex-
penses Of the Supreme Court. The ssla-
ries Of the Justices were reduced from
6 700 to "a, 500 each per annum, and the
Secretary Of State was made ex-officio
Clerk of the Supreme Court without ex-
ira compensation, the whole reduction in
salaries amounting to s2S. 495.
Now it is proposed by indirect methods
to destroy the effect Of this retrenchment
and increase the burdens Of the tax
payers in these days of single-gold.stan-
dsrd prosperity, when failures are Of al
most hourly occurrence. Bills have been
introduced to pay the Adjutant General
81. 500 for services in the years 1895 and
1896; to pay the Secretary Of State for
services as Clerk Of the Supreme Court
and State Librarian and the Superin-
tendent of Public Instruction as Curator
Of the State Museum. Perhaps those
gentlemen are entitled to extra compen-
s~ation, but it is urged against their de-
msnds that they knew when they came
before the people for election what the
emoluments Of the respective Offices were
and there is no law on the Statute books
that makes il . criminal offense for them
TO resign il they are dissatisfied. The
people are entitled to some consideration
and il is to be hoped that some Of their
representatives, in the Legislature will
champion their cause. What in the name
of common sense is the use of consolidat-
ing Offices il the State officer On whom
extra duties have been imposed by law
10 allowed as much compensation rs was
attached to the Office before il was con-
solidated with another? II the Adju-
tsnt General is to receive 81, 500 for two
years service a. such, where is the econ
omy Of relieving the Lieutenant Cover
nor Of the duties Of that office? If .
State official 10 to ~receive 5000 . year as
Clerk Of the Supreme Court and an sttor-
ney s7o0 per volume for preparing the
reports Of the Supreme Court what did
the State gain by abclishing the Office Of
Clerk Of the Supreme Coursf
II is An unpleasant task for newspapers
TO have TO direct attention to these mat
tiers, but IL 10 their duty nevertheless to
inform the public Of what is being done
In the interest Of individuals as we'll as
what is being done in the interest Of the
people generally. A former Legislature
passed laws that were beyond question
in the direction Of economy and the pres.
emit Legislature should favor retrench-
ment - the financial condition Of the
State does not warrant e~xtravagance.