Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1897-01-28
CONSOLIDATION or OFFICES.


by consolidation of State offices and
the reduction of salaries. of State o.
ficials over $4,000 WAS saved to the
taxpayers in 1895 and 1896 as compar-
ed with the years 1892 and 1894. To
effect this reduction the Lieuten-
ant Governor, who hitherto had 4e-
ceived a salary of $500 a year, was
relieved of the duties of Adjutant
General and State Librarian and his
compensation reduced to per diem
Of ten dollars PEE day while presiding
in the Senate. The Governor as Com
mander-in-Chief of the National
Guard, was empowered to appoint an
Adjutant General whose sole and only
compensation was mileage when
travelling on official business. 1t was
made the duty of the Secretary of
State to act rs State Librarian with
out compe nsation. The Governors
salary was reduced 81 900 a year; the
Attorney Generals salar, $1,000 a
year; the Secretary Of State, Cont.oll-
er and Treasurer each 5000 yea,
and the salaries Of ali deputy State
officers were reduced from $1,000 to
81, 200 year. A great reduction was
also made in the expenses Of the Su-
preme Court. The salaries Of the
Justices were rec uced from S6,00p to.
81, 800 each per annuln, and. the Sec
rotary Of State was made eX officio
Clerk OF the Supreme Court without
extra compensation, the Whole reGuc-
ton IN salaries amounting to S28..
495.
Now it is proposed by indirect
methods to destroy the effect Of this
retrenehment and increase the bur
dens of the taxpayers in these days Of
single gold=standsrd prosperity. when
failures are of almost hourly occur
renee. Bills have been introduced to
pay the AGjutant General $500. for
services i'll the years 1895 and 1896; to
pay the Secretary Of State for services
as Clerk of the Supreme Court and
State Librarian and the. .Superinten-
dent of Public Instruction as Curator
or the State Museum Perhaps those
gentlemen are entitled to extra COM
pensation, but it is urged against
their demands that they knew when
they came before the people for cleo
ton what the emoiuments of the re-
spective Offices were and there is no
law, on the Statute books. that makes.
it a criminal offepse for them to resign
il they are dissatisfied. The people are
to some consideration and it
is to be hoped that some Of their rep
resentatives in the legislature will
champion their cause. What in the
name Of common sense is the use OF
consolidating Offices If the State Of
icer on whom extra duties have been
imposed by law is allowed AS much;
compensation as was attached to the
Office before it was consolidated with
snotherH If the Adiutant General is
to receive $1,000 Or two years service
as such, where Ii the economy of re-.
ievmg the Lieutenant Governor, of
the duties OF that Officer II u State
official is to receive $500 a year :'i us
Clerk of the Supreme Court ana an
attorney 800 per volume for prepar
ing the reports Of the Supreme Court
what did the State gain by. abolish
ing the Office Of Clerk OF the Su-
preme CourtY ......-..
1t is IN unpleasant task for news.
papers to have to direct attention 4,
these matters, but it is their duty
nevertheless to inform the public of
what is being done in the interest of
individuals us we'll as what Is beng
done in the interest OF the people
generally. A former legislature
passed laws that we're beyond CUES.
tiCn in the direction of economy and