The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-01-26

SEATTLE. TUESDAY. JAN. 2s.
THE nrTaEScHuExr PLAN.

The COMMITTEES on re.Tenchmsnt has done
IT'S work witt. eommerdaole promptitude.
and now the legislative committee should
l~ equally diligent. The session is ad-
vancing and the number OF new bills Is In
ersasing.
Tine recommendations are generally con-
sentative and wise The eyes OF the peo-
pie have been opened 10 the fact that the
rate o. salary. while not 30 low perhaps
IN some cases as IL might be. Is not 80
nigh as 10 make a very appreciable differ
once In the years total. The real extrava-
gancs Is in the frittering away OF money
In petty expenses which are entirely un-
necessary.
The suggestion 10 pay round sum Of
elk hundred dollars for the legisla-
tive term OF two years. the number Of
days served to be left 10 the wisdom OF
members. needs serious consideration. The
proposed plan has It's advantages. but it
opens the way to other evils. and the ques-
ton lis which we can better suffer.
THIS institution OF the salary fund was
check upon that branch OF expenses. but
It has worked an unforeseen hardship.
There is no doubt that our Judiciary sys-
tenn needs change. but IL the jurisdiction
OF justices Is enlarged. the amount for
which an appeal may be taken should not
be raised. Jurors and witness fees can
with safety ana good economy be reduced.
There should be no fees for coroner's
Jurors or witnesses. The per diem OF cleo
ton officers should be reduced, but one
dollar day is too how. The officers fire.
quentiy have 10 work and watch through
twenty-four hours. of which each succeed
ing hour Ii more trying. 1t might be
sealed according 10 the number OF votes
cast. 80 that precinct OF fifty votes should
not cest AS much as one or two hundred
and fifty. In fact. II Is doubtful whether
the system should not be changed and only
the number of ballots cast be counted and
sworn To- by the officers. and the boxes
sealed and conveyed to the county audit
or's. the tally beginning at . o'clock
next morning In presence OF one OF the
superior court judges. 80 that doubtful
ballots might be passed upon anu marked
for Identification Ia case of contest. Votes
counted ia the dark hours by men worn
out by long eay'' work are more liable
The system OF bookkeeping fin the county
irsssureT's Office Is properly criticised. bat
that is fault OF the law and not OF the
orlcer.
general support.
II viii 10 better 70 reduce these general
expenses and do as little as possible Ia
impairment OF the FIRE and police depart
nent=. II Is true that the danger OF fire
Ia diminished. but this Is Cue greatly 10
the efficiency OF the IRE department. It
cannot be said wa have too many police
men. and as soon IS tbs ciy can AFFORD
1, We should have more.
TINS report deals fairy win the school
department in admitting the efforts made
20 reduce expenses. but e does not do JUS
tee 10 the efforts OF other departments.
snH especially OF the city government.
whose retrenchment has been enormous.
The legislature Is the first body 10 be ap-
prosshes. If ths laws are revised IN ao-
coreance with the recommendations. a
symmetrical saving can be enec.s a. The
ether savings can be made from time 20
iime iii tho minimum ia reached.
Nevertheless. he other feature O. the
tax ssd retrenehment movement should
not be disregarded. The taxes should hs
iesssnsd 10 the EXTREMIST degree BY
economy. and the riSht. OF the property
owner guarded carefully. but tho present
FAX law IL not calculated 10 bring 70 The
treasury even fifty per cent OF the amount
levied