The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-02-16
pAr or rnr snERrrE
Many D~inicuIties In tho way of Fixing the
Comnenantion of That Oflclhl.

It has almost come 10 DO accepted as neces-
sary that there should be some legislation each
year relating to the office OF Sheriff OF New
York county. and one such bill has made its
appearance this year In Albany. presented by
Daniel L. Finn. n former deputy Sheriff. now
Assemblyman from The First district. Until
1890 the Sheriff was paid by means OF fees.
receiving all the fees. paying all the expenses
and being personally responsible for damages
arising from his administration The various
Sheriffs who held office previous to 1890 de-
rived in fees sums ranging from SI5.OOO to
100000 a year. but subject to subsequent de-
duction for damages recovered in suits begun
atterthe close of the term OF the Sheriff. He was
by law personally liable not only for his acts,
but also for the acts OF all its agents, deputies.
employees and representatives. and, where
there had been an improper levy or n loss of
property in the Sherif's custody. or n forfeited
rest. the sheriff could be sued and was person.
ally liable. From this arrangement II followed
that,ihyc or eyen ten years after the close OF the
receive any OF the, emol1ments Of Office. he
could still be called upon' to pay damages in
There was much complaint about the fee
system. which had already been abolished in
IeGislature in 1870 the o'fice OF isRheriHi1r was
made a, snlaried one and all the fees were
turned into the treasury and the Sher ,FLs
Sheriff received 500. 900 year salary. and his
deputies got $4,000, each. but the. system did
not work well for the reason that the sheriff.
having. no longer any interest in the
fees collected and receiving only 9 fixed salary;
was less diliRent In the enforcement OF
measures Of legal relief than when he had q
direct pecuniary interest. The, fee system. II
was said. was for the benefit of creditors and
to the disadvantage OF debtors. the interest OF
the Sheriff, being to satisfy the demands of the
former and secure for himself and his deputies
airy system, IL was said. on the other hand. was
favorable to the debtors and rrejudicial to the
his subordlnates receiving the same pay for
few as for many levies. there was no reason
why they should exert themsel ives unduly,
Whatever the rights Of that controversy tho
Legislature OF 1897 established a. compromise
whereby, as is the case now. the sheriff of New
p pHTk w sSRn fess is R%H e rd Il G si5, Sm a a y ssIaT y snd IN
and one, half Of the fees accruing.. Section ] of
Article X of the State Constitution provides
that tfSf the county shall never be made resppon-
troduced by Assemblyman. Finn proposes to
make the city of New York liable to the maxi
mum amount Of 5000 for the legal expenses
OF his term in defending himself against suits
brought for damages resulting from his acts or
the acts OF his deputies. The practical effect Of
the Sheriff counsel at the %county's expense af-
ter the close of his term Il office. At present
the Sherifrs counsel is paid by the city; he re-
while he is in the employ Of the Sheriff who
designates him for service. but after the close
OF the SherifTs term the pay of his counsel
he called upon, to defend PROFESSIONALLY 60 on.
The office OF Sheriff OF New York being a county
office. is operated independently Of the scheme
about al SI"f by the mu nj ipafm cRarter. un SdFTuF fhe
Constitution, a Sheriff cannot be reelected at
the end OF his term.