The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1902-04-26
ANOTHER Setback FOR
GRASPING OFFICIALS
Officers ID New Counties
Must Get Salary as Pre-
Scribed by Law

The question of compensation OF the
officers in the three new counues,
Klowa. Comanche and Caddo, has been
for some time a sore puzzle to Cover
nor Ferguson. II would not be out OF
place to interpolate here that the
aforesaid officers have been troubled
along this same line. and while grab
bing everything in sight, they have put
in claims for everything that is liable
TO come in sight In the future; but the
governor has shown a highly com
mendable spirit. and without trying to
be harsh, he has insisted that these ap-
pointiye officers take only what the
law prescripes for their official work,
and that they are bound in the mat
ter OF compensation by the law in
such case made and provided.
A short time ago this matter came
up in such form that II had to be
settled for good. Under a ruling all
bills for services OF county officers in
the new counties were brought before
the governor for auditing and allow
ance, this being made necessary on ac-
count Of the fact that the money to
/ pay the bills was to come from the
fund in the hands OF the proper Off
eiaia arising from the sale of town
! lots in the rel pective counties. and
which could only be disbursed on or
ders from the department at Washing
ton. Along with other bills. came ac-
counts from the sheriffs, probate
judges and registers Of deeds. offices
which under the Oklahoma statutes
are strictly fee offices.
Governor Ferguson would not allow
the claims Of those officials where the
law plainly said that the compensation
should come from fees collected. and
this raised a protesting howl. So the
matter was referred to the attorney
general of the United States, and ne
has forwarded an opinion which holds
that the laws OF Oklahoma on the sub
ject of compensation of county Of
hcers governs. and that the officials in
the three new counties are bound by
the same
The opinion recites the statutes OF
Oklahoma on the subject of compen
sation Of county officers, and after
authorizing the governor to audit and
l allow the claims OF officials who are
a entitled to lump salary, the attorney
!. general holds that sheriffs, probate
9 judges and registers Of deeds are not
! in this class. and that they must re
}. compense themselves from the fees
9 from their respective offices.
q While the law states the salaries OF
j. these three officials. basing 1t upon
3 the population in the counties where
; they serve. II further provides thai
o the salary must come out of the fees
S paid in, and makes no provision fol-
8 payment in case the Office fails to pro
vide the money
Governor Ferguson acting under ad
d vices at hand. has recomp' 2nded tha
g sheriffs. probate judges a.d registers
Q of deeds. in the new counties, be al
q lowed The fees arising in counties o
n 25,O00 inhabitants which the attorney
general approves. but holds that thu
it money must come from the fees of thu
s offces, and can not be paid from tn,
y townsite money.
d The attorney general further hell
Al that county officials in the new couu
Ie ties. who were entitled to a salary an
not dependent upon fees, should b
q paid for the entire year Of 1902 out 0
the money derived from the lot sales
as the governor made a showing tina
there would not be any taxes avail
able to pay these salaries until afte
10 this time. The decision is a just on'
and will please the settlers, but tn
4 howl that will arise from the sheriff
m probate judges and registers Of deed
AT fhua hafnr gummarilv ahOVpd bae