The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-01-03
ABOUT NEW SALARY LAW
Interesting Discussion of FtJ Mean-
ing by County Commas Oners.


The county commissioners tried TO har-
monte their different views In regard to
what the new salary law means yes
terday. County Attorney James z. Con
ley and George Adams, Of the law firm OF
Adams & Adams, did their best to help
them.
Some time since Commissioner Redaeld
stated 10 the board that in his opinion
some OF the county officers were retain
ing fees that under the law belonged to
Sedgwick county. He offered a resolution
to the effect that Sheriff Simmons be re-
quested TO pay over about 500.
The other two members Of the board
were not in favor Of the resolution and
it did not come to a vote. The county
attorney was instructed by the board 10
notify Sheriff Simmons, ex-District Court
Clerk Arnett, and ex-Register Of Deeds
Carnahan to appear before the board for
consultation in regard to the matter.
The sheriffs Office was TO be investi-
gated, but the other officers named were
present. George Adams appeared with
Sheriff Simmons and County Attorney
Comfy for the commissioners. Mr.. Red
field stated that the salary bill provided
that the sheriff should retain all the fees
of his Office until they reached 5000 and
all collected above that amount. one-third
was to be paid into the county treasury.
Mr.. Conley said that as he understood
it, the amount which Mr.. Redfield was
claiming that the sheriff ought 10 pay was
what the commissioners had allowed for
the pay of the undersheriff. He said that
this matter had been brought to his at
tention and he had held that the COM
missioners having made their settlement
with the sheriff and having allowed this
amount, believing the law allowed them
to do it, the matter should rest.
Mr.. Adams explained the law as he IN
derstood it. He said it was the intent of
the law to allow the sheriff $1,000 a year
for his services. He said the law COM
PEELED him to appoint an undersherif and
if he were compelled to pay him he would
not have left what the law allowed him
for his salary.
Commissioner Redfeld told Mr.. Adams
that Sheriff Simmons had made an in
correct statement in regard to the amount
of his fees and that he had collected
good deal more than 5000 4 year for the
four years that he had held Office OF sher-
iff in this county.
To this statement Mr. Adams replied
that they were prepared to prove By the
books of the sheriff Office which Deputy
Sheriff Mcpherson had carefully gone
over. that for the four years Sheriff Sim
mons had only received for his pay the
amount Of 81. So6G0. which was less than
the law allowed him. He said these fig
ures were absolutely correct. Mr.. Red
field, he thought, was counting the entire
fees, which tho Sheriff was entitled 10
collect, and not what he had actually col
lected. He said people were not barred
from the courts OF this state because they
were poor, and that q great many suits
were brought and poverty affidavit was
put I'D in place OF bond for costs He
said the sheriff was bound to serve the
papers in all such cases and it frequently
happened that he could not collect cent.
TO this Commissioner Redfeld replied
that Sheriff Simmons still had this cost
coming to him and he could keep on for
years collecting them after he went put Of
Office.
The county commissioners adjourned
and the matter viii have TO rest for the
present After the talk over the matter
County Attorney Conley told 2 reporter
for the Eagle that he thought Commis-
sioner Redfeld was perfectly honest in
his views. but he thought his ideas OF the
law were not correct. JIe said the law
allowed tho sheriff tho amount stated for
his pay and in addition two-thirds of Oh
costs collected above the S3.ooo and rs for
Sheriff simmons collecting fees after h.
went out Of ofice. he could pay the county
the one-third after he went out Of Office
jest the same as when he is sheriff.
Commissioner Rcdfeld said his object
was To have il understood that the county
should get one-thiTd Of all the fees col
lected above what the county officers were
allowed for ealary.