The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-05-01
THIS is A TANGLED WEB
PRESENT STATUS OF RAMSEY
COUNTY PAY ROLLS
To Get Order Out of the Existing
Complications Would Battle the
Astute Ingenuity of the Tradl-
tfOnaI Philadelphia Barrister-
Sheriff WAGNER Promises to Re-
gin Another Suit.

The decision Of the supreme court re-,
garding the salary law of 1895, publish
ed In The G 0 b of yesterday, has
created endless CONSERVATION and con-
fusion about the county offices at the
city hall.
Different constructions are placed
upon the decision, but not one untang-
les the meshes of uncertainty and dis
appointment in which county employees
found themselves after perusing the
courts ruling.
County Auditors Sullivan, who must
be guided by the decision in issuing
warrants for the compensation of coun-
ty employees, other than the elective
officials, constructs the decision to mean
that all provision; for clerk hire in the
Offices of the county auditor, county
assessor, county treasurer and county
attorney, is knocked out, though hold
ing that the salary of the county OFF,
Gals, except those of the register Of
deeds, the sheriff and the abstract
clerk, are assured as fixed by the coun-
ty commissioners.
By this construction between twenty
eight and thirty-four assistants in the
employ Of the county in the different
offices, are debarred from receiving
any salary. These individuals have not
been paid during the five months in
which the present litigation has been
in position where it is not known how
many months more it may be before
getting paid for their services, puts
them in considerable Of dilemma.
County Auditor Sullivan says he will
not issue warrants for the pay of any
Of the clerks or assistants in the office
affected, and the only hope he holds out
for solution of the difficulty is that
the supreme court may be induced to
grant rehearing of the case. He says
the decision places him in an embar-
RAISING predicament, but that in view
of the possibility Of the unconStitution-
atty of the county commissioners act
III fixing the clerk hire, he cannot do
otherwise than to allow the matter to
rest in allegiance under his interpreta-
ton of the decision until some way out
Of the labyrinth is found.
He will pay the salaries of the coun-
ty attorney, county treasurer, county
assessor and county auditor, at the
rate of $4,000 per year as fixed by the
law of 1895.
Treasurer Edmund is inclined to the
construction Of the decision announc-
ed by Mr.. Sullivan, but sees loop hole
through reverting to the law governing
the meeting Of county expenses pre-
vailing before the adoption of the 1895
law. At this time yearly appropria-
ton was made for each office, out of
which was taken both the salary of the
official and his assistants. In the case
of the treasurer's Office this appropria-
ton was $4,000. Deducting from this
amount $4,000, Mr.. Elmund's salary,
which will be paid by the county audi
tor pursuant to the decision, Mr.. Ell
| mund figures there would be left $4,000
for clerk hire.
Treasurer Edmund says, however.
that he has not looked the question up
thoroughly, and is not advised as to
whether or not this method of avoid
ing complications might be employed.
Register of Deeds Krahmer has been
conducting his office upon the fee basis
since his salary was withheld, and as
| the office has been self-sustaining, is
not concerned how the matter Is final
ly adjudicated.
County Assessor Seng says he does
not know where he is at" He en-
ploys two assistants and will go on
with the work OF his office irrespective
of the decision.
Sheriff Wagner feels the effect of the
decision more perhaps, than other Off
| cials. He has eighteen assistants,
many Of whom are paid directly by the
| county All Of his deputies have been
going without pay since the suit Of
| County Attorney Anderson was COM
| menced, and the still further holding
| up of their pay will work added in
convenience. Unlike the offica Of regis
ter of deeds, the fees which go into the
| sheriff's office do not sustain the de-
| partment, and though the back compen
sation, Sheriff Wagner says, will be
| ultimately forthcoming from some
source, the situation at present Is en-
| barrassing.
Sheriff WAGNER will consult his at
torney, and when advised what course
to take, will institute legal proceedings
either to collect the back fees, or to
sue for salaries.
IT would much rather conduct the