The Saint Paul globe., 1899-04-20
RIFT GETTING READY
HE WILL MAKE A LEGAL ON.
sLAUGHT ON ROBERT sENG
SHORTLY
WILL SAVE THE COUNTY $4,000
But the Man Who Insists ON Holding
the Position and the Republican
COterie Back Of Him Do Not Seem
to Want 1t That Way - What
Furnishes the HOldOver Grounds
for Hope.

Gregory P. Ritt, recently elected coun-
ty assessor under the law passed by the
legislature, Is making ready to take
charge of the Office to which he was
chosen. Under the law the assessor is
before commencing his duties, to give q
bond in the sum of $1,000, which is to
be approved by the board of county COM
missioners In writing and then filed, to-
gether with the oath of office in the
assessor took the oath of Office yester-
day afternoon before Deputy Clerk Fitz-
gerald of the district court 'i'''
Mr.. Ritt has retained Pierce Butler
as attorney, and as soon as the county
commissioners approve his bond and it
has been filed in the Office Of the register
Of Deeds will commence legal proceed
ingS to secure possession of the office to
which he was chosen. Until this for
mality is gone through with the office
will be in possession of Robert Seng,
the present incumbent
The bill fixes the salary at $500 per
year, and already the leaders Of the Re-
publican party and the politicians are
talking about the unconstitutionality of
the law and declaring that it is nc
good. The claim Is made that the pro-
vision of the act which allows the board
of county commissioners to elect an as
SCISSOR to serve until the people at the
election in 1900 choose one Is special leg
islation. If this clause can be knocked
cut, then the law, which would save the
county $4,000 each year, will be rendered
Of no effect.
The law as passed and signed by the
governor was introduced in the house by
Is as follows:
Section 1. There shall be elected in
each county in this state having a popu-
lation of not less than loo, 900 and not
over $4,000 inhabitants, a county asses
sor, who shall hold his office for the two
years from and after the first Monday
and until his successor is elected and
qualified, and shall keep his office at the
county seat.
Sec. 2. Such assessor, before commenc-
ing his duties, shall take and subscribe
an oath of office and give bonds in the
penal sum of S5.000 to the state of Min
nesota, with sureties to be approved by
dha nearq 60 OF S COUNTY con
duties of his office. which bond, with the
written approval of such board Of county
commissioners and such oath, shall be
filed and recorded in the office Of the
register of deeds.
Sec. 8. Such assessor shall have the
| power to appoint one. or more assistants
dent freeholder and qualified elector of
said county, and to remove the same at
pleasure. and for whose acts he shall be
responsible: Each assistant assessor
aforesaid shall act under the direction OF
the principal assessor, and may be as
signed by such principal assessor such
district or portion of said county or other
duties as such principal assessor NAV
deem expedient, and shall receive such
| compensation as such principal assessor
| may deem advisable; provided that each
township and village shall be entitled te
| its own assistant assessor, who shall be
| appointed by the principal assessor.
| Sec. 4. That for the faithful perform
| ance Of the duties of the Office Of such
| the treasury Of such county the follow.
| Ing amounts. to-wit: In odd numbered
years the sum of $500. $500 of which
shall be the salary Of such principal as
SCISSOR, and the remaining 5000 shall b.
for such assistant assessors and clerk
hire and 10 III IN even numbered year the
sum of ss, 500, Of which 81; 800 shall be the
$1,000 for such assistant assessor ani
clerk hire; that no other or further sums
shall be allowed or paid to such asses
| sor, assistant assessors or clerk, excep
as herein provided, and shall be in lle1
of and in full for all clerk hire and as
sistance of every kind in making com
plete assessments of all the property O.
| such county for taxation and perform
ing all the acts necessary in the perform
ance of the duties Of said office. That the
salary Of such principal assessor shall bt
paid to him in monthly installments ani
! the salary of such assistant assessors anG
clerks shall be paid to them in eaua
| monthly fnstallments out of the treasur,
| of such counties.
SEQ. 5. Said principal assessor. by him
self or with the aid Of his assistant as
SCISSORS and clerks. shall assess all prop
erty ubject to taxation within such coun
ty, under the laws of this state.
SEQ. 8. That the board Of county com
missioners Of such counties shall at thei
hrst meeting after the. passage Of thi.
| act nominate and appoint county as
sess,o2fr. who shall fill such office ant
Of such office as herein provided unit
the next general election to be held il
his successor is elected and qualified.
Sec. T.. All actg and parts Of acts in
consistent with this act are hereby re
| pealed.-
Sec. 8. This act shall take effect an,
bs In force from and after its passage. !.