The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1897-04-15
CONSISTENCY, THOU ART
5..'.ss EF s.4s a JEWEL

Th6.Article ofssWOuld Still Ad-
wise" Contains More Inconsis-
tency Than Consistency.
! The author of would Still Advise" in last
weeks Herald evidently desires to keep the
temperance question fresh in the minds of our
citizens That is not necessary as they are be-
ing frequently reminded OF it by their own oh.
servatiOns.
! Inreply to ''Consistency:' We were inform.
ed by numerous parties after they had read our
suggestion as to a reduction in village expenses
That we were taking a rather bold stand in so
doing, but that they heartily approved of it. and
we sincerely believe majority of the people OF
! this village approve of a reduction in the ex-
penses Of the village recorders office. We ex-
pected that just such an attack would be made,
either publically or privately, for advocating
| this matter.
| Before election ii was not necessary to refer
to the source Of revenue depending upon the
! result Of the election Every voter understood
| that. But the revenue derived from saloon Ii
| cense will never be large enough to cleanse
water, construct highways or sewers, in purity
L.
| to carry away the pestilence misery and degre.
datlon created by the saloon.
The people of this vicinity last wear paid over
$ls,0U0 to the saloons, according to figures re.
ferred to last week before the council, to reduce
their taxes $500. This is only the financial
| transactions OF the village. Look about and see
it there were any other payments made sin div
ers Ways to secure this reduction of taxes to
ma iptn hiCI,, Il
ped and unusually creditable plants
As to suffering public rebulze for advocatin
no-lieense: Do all the great papers OF our c o;:n-
try suffer rebuke because their policy does not
pfedominate in a question that rests with the
people. A man, Intelligent enough to compre
hend what the word consistency means, who as
serts that we were rebuked in the recent elec-
tion, must be under some delusion. We do not
| consider that we were rebuked any more than
we claim credit for the reduction OF the major
| ity to Is from ii of year ago-it's as broad as
tits long.
The suggestions were made in as near the
proper manner as our limited Intelligent Q
Would direct and we have not the slightest sus-
Hcion but that our honorable and efficient
cbuncil considers they were made in the proper
strit;a least there is reason thinking 9TH
ekWise as they are now council oI the village,
ana whole, and not Of the license advocates
alone Asa public enterprise, it is our :priv1-
lege and duty to make such suggestions as seem
fiIswithin the limit OF common sense. The priv
ilsge Of the press enjoys a wide scope in making
Suggestions, which would be amusing, ii not ab-
slifd, if made personally,
AS to the matter Of the recorder, the under
standing was. as presented, that the clerks
services should continue indefinitely, with an
idea Of retrenchment. This left the matter
open for discussion. Was Consistency aware
ofthisa
sThe judgment Of our council we do not ques--
tton, but there may be some possibility OF the
qaestion not shaYin been giYen 4ulch sider-
alton. .:,eA.
The eidea IS given out that the clerk is obliged
to 90 out collecting water and light charges
If course the meter measurements have to be
taken, but the rules provide for a prompt pay.
ment at the Office or a penalty is imposed For
occupying the attention of the clerk in EXAMINE
ing chattel mortgages. the record is OF public
character and does not require the clerks as
sistance to find certain entry, and it is a well
known fact that a very small portion Of the
clerks time is taken up, if the recorder per.
forms part Of the labor, as is intimated he does
''Consistency'' asserts that we are totally unfa-
miliar with such duties and have not sought en-
lightment. He is mistaken in both cases in the
latter, enlightment came to Our knowledge il
different Ways several months ago, and tht
more the matter IS Investigated the more salts
! fed are.we that $500 is an unreasonable and un
required amount to expend in the clerical de
partment of the village
The salary OF the treasurer was fixed at
stated amount, because it was considered h
Was getting too large al amount on the pe1
| centage plan.
The parties referred to for more enlighten
ment were interviewed and majority of them
consider that with a clerk, more of the record
ers duties could be performed by the clerk an,
f the recorders salary reduced. 1t was the inten
ton OF the council inaugerating the clerks ser
wees to reduce the recorders salary. The rea
son they uphold the clerk system is, that it take
agood salaried position, requiring compel en-
! book keeper out OF the election contest and a.
ways have competent accountant. Perhal
your shallow consistency considers this Wind
Gates your position more than ours, but "
ont. The ettlce rent you only refer to in
sarcastic manner. Why hot advance some col
clstency for maintaining that expense
Now for "A Few Facts'' which the Herald l.,
ters to, which will be combined in the reply
! you. The Herald says" It must be borne
mind that by the council employing Mr. Smit
as city clerk, the city not only gets the best O
work done in the clerks office u c., is this an
reflection on his own ability. ''The usual fe
for surveying varies from IS to $40 per day.
Mr.. Smith informs us he charges ST. per ia
and ~ reverts to the city taking the Herald
figures, this would be 471s days surveying 6
Mr.Smith's rates and the village pays s,ipul;
cd amount to secure no certain amount tro1
any source.
We have at hand few figures that it migt
be we'll to stick in your hat, giving disburse
ments and salaries paid by other towns havin
an electric light and water plantsas to their siz
Ourreaders are probably aware, but the bns
ness is all transacted by the recorder withou
assistance and comprises last fiscal years bus
ness.
Village, Disbursements, Salary Recorders of
Adrlan, $98OO.94 $4,000
~. .MAnuOln, lOUOOOO 100, o.
StJ aMes, 2,3OO0O 10000
Noitnneld' -l4,4O2o4 10000
. Luverne, 19,12366 3A2S