Kansas City daily journal., 1897-02-07
TAXPAYERS REBEL AGAINST EN-
TRAvAGANCE OF COUNTY RING.
A BILL TO CUT DOWN SALARIES
ROUsING MEETING HELD AT INDE-
PENDENCE YESTERDAY.
Farmers Astounded to Learn That 1t
Takes 10000 Bushels of Corn to
Pay n Jackson County Of
ficinI-Tnxenters Thor
ouShIy Alarmed.

Farmers from all over Jackson county
assembled yesterday at Independence, and
filed vigorous protest against the sal
aries of county officials and the unreason-
able number of deputies employed In the
various county offices. and then registered
singing rebuke in the shape of resoiu-
tion condemning the judges of the circuit
criminal and county courts in allowing u
superfuity of deputies in the adminstra-
tion of the affairs of the county.
Our burdens are greater than we can
bear. We ask you not 10 press them down
upon u.s. were the words of protest ut
tered in the resolution by the taxpayers.
Other resolutions of equal import were
adopted
The meeting appointed committee or
three to draft a bill TO present TO the leg
islature, calling for immediate legislation
on the matter of salaries and deputies, and
Il bill which will call for u horizontal re-
duction will soon be forthcoming.
The meeting yesterday was a representa-
tive gathering of taxpayers. Delegates
were present from every township in Jack
son county. There seemed to be a unanim-
ity of opinion as TO Il reduction of salaries
and u curtaiiing of deputies on the part of
those vested with the power to appoint
The drift of the speeches made was to the
effect that salaries in a majority of cases
should be reduced one-half, which would
result in the saving to Jackson county of
thousands OF dollars.
Salary Schedule Submitted.
o. p. Bryant submitted a schedule of
what would be q fair reduction. The sur
Veyor, assessor, recorder, criminal clerk
clerks of the county court and circuit court
sheriff, $500; collector. $500; prosecuting
attorney, $3.50; county counselor, $l,SO0;
head DEPUTIES or chief clerks, $1,000. ana
Others. SO per month.
Others present shared this opinion, and
resolutions We're adopted asking for hori-
zontal reductions s., all along the line:
meeting, and charges We're directly made
that more deputies than were necessary
were employed, and many were drawing
salaries which they did not earn.
Morning Session.
The meeting was called to order by o.
z. Bryant, of Independence. MIR. Bryant
made d short address, reviewing the situa-
tton and the reason for the present high
salaries being paid. The fee system, he
said, had become an outrage, and as a re-
suit a salary law was enacted after a
hard fight. Salaries under the law were
placed at the highest possible notch, TO
insure its passage at that time. 1t was no
criterion for the public, but represented a
necessity, and the best that could be done
at the time of so much opposition.
Judge Dyer, of Sni-a-Bar township, was
called to the chair and w. N Southern
j. S. Kirby and II. Adair, of Oak Grove
appointed secretaries. When the meeting
was opened it was followed by a strong
protest against the present extravagancies
of Democracy. The farmers We're given
nsures, showing the immense amounts paid
for moderate ability. Not until a farmer
addressed them, however, did they realize
the amount OF the salary of Jackson
county official.
land in Yrooking township, made a stir
ring speech.
DO you know that it takes 10000 bushels
OF corn TO pay the salary of a jackson
county otficial?" he exclaimed. The farm
ers gave a roar of disapproval, for they
understood it perfectly well when it was
brought home to them in this manner.
After a number of speeches, a committee
on credentials was appointed, on motion
OF W. n; Noel, Of Van Buren, as follows:
\. G. Beckham. W. c. Adams, T. w
Green, A. shepherd. H. N, Ess and II.
Harper of Kansas City.
After the appointment of this committee
an adjournment was had until the after
noon.
Afternoon Session.
In the afternoon meeting Colonel Crisp.
pearance and walked down the aisle. He
received an ovation. The colonel had
heard the racket down in Jefferson City
and had returned to consult with his con-
Stituents.
During. the afternoon o. p. Bryant read
a list of salaries of county officials and
of taking care of the court houses at In
dependence and Kansas City, and also to
the salaries of the justices of the peace
w. H. Noel, of Van Buren,, made a mo-
tfon that committee be appointed, one
from each township to investigate the re-
should be made in various county offices
ana in the assessment and distribution of
be presented to the legislature covering
such changes as the committee might deem
best: The advisability of allowing Kansas
city representation on this committee was
discussed and met with approval
i. W; Green, the BrookinG farmer, then
raised his voice in denunciation of a man
VINO could draw salary which would take
or be the equivalent of 10000 bushels of
corn 1t was a corruption fund, he urged.
A committee was then appointed giving
each township, including kaw, representa-
Colonel Crisp managed to get thS floor
ana IN a lew terse remarks told the meet
ing that whatever reforms the meeting
ppopofied ra0,,rift should be done quickly. The
resolution, had been appointed but the
danger Of delay and the impossiblity of
getting the committee together presented
ltSelf IN the remarks of Colonel Crisp.
). II. Woodson made motion that n
substitute for the Noel resolution be made
10 concentrate the work of the committee.
notion to the effect that three he ap-
ported by the chair was then put ana
carried. after more discussion. The COM
". /
Bryan, w. J.. Webb and S. II. Woodson
RESOLUTIONS were showered thick and fast
at the gathering of yesterday.
II. w. Green introduced Il resolution to
the effect that it be the sense of the meet
ing that the salaries of all county officers
be reduced. This was amended so as to
not be so strong. and the word almost
was inserted, under the claim that not
every official was drawing more pay than
public sentiment and duty allowed The
poor farm was cited as an instance
Editor Webb. during the course of the
meeting. made a speech which set out
that the present difficulty was largely due
to the leniency of the circuit and county
judges.
o. p. Bryant. acting on the suggestion,
then introduced q resolution as follows:
County Court Appealed To.
''Be it resolved. That we appeal to the
county court to exercise its power granted
by law to secure a more economical admin
istration of the offices of said county To
that end we urge that until another law is
enacted. to Contine as many appointments
to class G as they possibly can: TO abate
the growing expense for the care of the
Kansas City and Independence court
houses, put the same under contract and
let 1t to the lowest bidder secured by bond:
to revise the salaries of officials at the
county poor farm and reduce the same in