The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-03-15
SHERIFFS DISCUSS FEES.
FLORIDA OFFICIALS THINK THEY
ARE BADLY TREATED.

Do Not Get n square Deal From the
County Commissioners They Claim
Will Seek Liquidation to Improve
Their status In the Matter OF Fees.
800 Raised for the widow OF the
Late sheriff Mathis.
Jacksonville, Fla, March H-The con-
yention of sherffs and police officers of
Florida met this morning in room Of
the Criminal Court of Record. A large
number of counties were represented. one
Of the most important things considered
was the sherin's fee bill, which is alleged
by these officers to be entirely too small
In the state of Florida
Prior to the meeting large number of
sheriffs gathered and discussed with
much earnestness the changes necessary.
The sheriffs will make a systematic ef-
fort to get the Legislature to change the
fee bill, and they ere sanguine of sue
cess. Several in general conversation
stated that certain legislators had ex-
pressed themselves favorable to an in
crease Of fees in many instances.
u. G. Herndon of Baker county, was
chosen chairman, and W. T. Leslie OF
Hillsborougth, was selected secretary.
A call of the roll showed the following
present: Jno. Price, Sheriff and @. w.
Thames Constable, Duval county; r. C.
Howard Putnam; j. r. Turner Volusia;
j. j. Stephens, Fort Brooke, Hillsborough;
II. S. Sutton, Levy, j. w. Hankins. Su-
vance; d. s. Sweet and e. T. Prest. Cit
rus; ]. II. Lane, Sumter; A. j. Hggin-
botham, Nassau; s. +. Edwards, Gads-
den; w. A. Cone, Columbia; T.. s. Arm
strong Madison; j. s. Bennett, Bradford;
l.. w. Fennel, Alachua; e. f. Johns,
Bradford; w. II. Lyle, City Marshal, Live
Oak; p II. Nugent, Marion; e. T. Pre-
watt, Osceola; X. L. fitzpatrick, Jefferson;
Jno Trohark, Dade; J. d. Tfllis. Polk;
T. T. Johns, Hamilton; u. G. Henderson,
Baker; w. F. Leslie, Hillsborought.
p. II. Nugent of Marion was chosen
assistant secretary, and the temporary
organization was then made permanent.
Sheriff Cone of Columbia said that the
most important thing was legislation that
would protect the sherlffs. He stated that
in many counties the County Commits
sioners were antagnostic TO the sheriffs
and frequently cut down the amounts
justly due these officers He thought that
some organized effort should be made to
induce the Legislature to give them pro-
lection.
Chairman Herndon addressed the con-
vention, stating that the sheriffs were
constantly risking their lives In defense
Of person and property and we're entitled
to consideration. A general discussion
followed in regard to the best method of
procedure, and IL was finally decided to
turn the matter over to a special com
mittee to formulate plans and to report
at the afternoon session.
The chair, upon motion, appointed the
following committee upon legislation:
Hawkins, Priest, Price, Turner. Cone, Fro
hack and Howard. This committee will
consider the best bill to be urged for
passage by the Legislature.
A general discussion again followed dn
which tho County Commissioners in vari-
Gus counties we're severely roasted. Some
contendeG that the laws al present save
he commissioners too much power. Others
defended their commissioners, stating
that they had never had a deduction made
of / cent from the sheriffs' fees. Several
favored the plan OF having the Circuit
Court Judge indorse all bills and 10 make
IL compulsory for the County Commission
era 10 pay the same. Others still con-
TENDED that the law gave certain fees,
and that the same could be coll
lected IN full by suit. This statement
brought out more talk. and the Supreme
Court was cebsured. u being stated that
N the commissioners were sued the mat
ter would get into the Supreme Court.
ara n the sberiffs should win they would
not receive any benefit therefr0m, hs Il
would take TOO many years for the Su-
preme Court 10 determine the matter. n
was suggested, however, that some Of the
grand children ~ these oflcials would b.
ihe benenciaries
Before ndj0uFninN this morning the
shsrlhs raised 500 for the widow 81 the
late Sheriff Mathis, OF suWanee county,