The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-03-10
HOW WILL It WORK?
Politicians Query as to New Law
Governing sheriff's Office.
WILL ROBERT PRATT RUN7
Other-John Il. Jones Named
for Head Deputy.

for Head Deputy.
II the legislature had had the interests
or future seekers for the Office Of sheriff
OF Hennep1n county at heart it would
either nave placed teh salary considerably
either have placed the salary considerably
OF once four years, instead of two. Poll
tlclans generally think the effect of the
change Will be to keep men OF prominence
out or contests and to leave an open field
Tor the smaller fry-men with but little
money to spend in the campaign for the
nomination and election, and nothing to
lose but the time spent in the canvass.
The office will now have but little attrac-
ton for Robert Pratt, among others, they
tnlnk, and they expect to Sc chin with
draw.
Mr.. Pratt Will Take Time.
Mr.. Pratt is not settled in his own
mind OF course, the money N the posi-
ton is naturally The chief, indeed. the
only consideration, with candidate, he.
says. The Office does not carry with it
opportunities for public service for which
there is ither than money compensation
as is the case with the mayoralty and
some other positions.
Mr.. Pratt admits that he may BE in
f1uenced by the fact of the smaller re-
l
Lot be a candidate under the changed con-
ditions, he says. But he Will not decide
until be has given the new law a careful
reading.
Experts take the stand that no man can
make successful campaign for sherlf
with less expenditure than years sal
airy. This leaves the actual remunera-
ton at 800 year-too small sum,
they say, for the work and responsibility
involved and the effort in getting the
place. Mr.. Pratt's idea, however, is that
the cost Of the campaign depends wholly
upon the individual.
The county commissioners are spending
to-day trying to 'get together on the
various details of the Sheriff proposition
They will meet Monday for the election
of a successor to Phil Megaarden.
Only the most unlookcd-for circum-
stance can now prevent the appointment
of J. w. Dreger. A question which oe-
mands immediate consideration also is
that of new deputies. While the new law
provides that the sheriff shall have the
exclusive power to appoint his assistants
it is altogether probable that the COM
missioners will dictate most of the APP
pointments.
The Dreger |'Understanding."
This was informally discussed by the
commissioners to-day. When Mr.. Dreger
was assured, several months ago, that ne
would receive the support OF the MAJOR
ity- Of the commissioners Nto succeed Me-
garden, he is understood to have agreed
to allow the commissioners to dictate the
appointments. This list is now cut anu
dried,'' and it's ratification by the new
sheriff is expected to be powerful lever
for certain commissioners by way OF
patronage in the next campaign, s+>
1T, Jones for Head Deputy. 81
Among those mentioned for head deputy
is John T. Jones, the fifth ward attorney.
Commissioner Mash admitted this morn
ing that he was supporting Jones. VINO
the other deputy sherifs will be IS en-
tirely matter of conjecture.
The only important particular in which
the new bill as adopted is said to diner
from the original draft is that it gives
the sheriff the exclusive right to appoint
the courtroom deputies.
While Commissioners Sweet, Nash, and
Smith will stand for Dreger, Barneys
position is still uncertain. Ryberg Will
probably support either A. w. Harwood
or Robert Pratt. Barney is known to
have favored Pratt's candidacy. He and
Ryberg may get together on one OF these
candidates and endeayor to break the COM
bination in favor of Dreger.
DR.. williams Position.
It may be that the commissioners, in
falling to consult Coroner U. G. Williams,
now acting sheriff of Henneptn county,
are reckoning without their host In hg-
uring on their appointee's immediate ac-
cession to Office. While Dr.. Williams, in
any event, will probably hold onto the
office until April 1, when the law takes
effect, there is possibility that he will
refuse to give up the reins until the end
of Megaarden's term DR.. Williams said
this morning that he was still uncertain
as to what his course would be. 1t IS
the opinion of several attorneys that the
coroner must continue to serve as sheriff
until the end of the present term. They
do not hesitate to say that if he steps out
now his REIMBURSEMENT of the office might
cause endless litigation in mortgage fore
closure sales, etc. The right of the ap
pointed sheriff to act might also be ques-
toned.
Under the old territorial law Of 1866 the
county commissioners had the right to~ap-
point an immediate successor in case of
the removal of sheriff. A later law,
that of 1876, makes it incumbent upon
the coroner Of county to act as sheriff
until new sheriff "has been duly elected
and qualified It is contended that
strict Interpretation Of this law will keep
any appointed sheriff out of Office until the
end of the term.
Cost of New Law. ~
Where the commissioners predict that
the county will run from $4,000 to $4,000
behind expenses on the first nine months
after the law takes effect April 1, it's
champions declare that it will really
save the taxpayers not less than $4,000.
Last year the county paid Sheriff Me-
garden $1,000. Under the new law sal
aries will cost the county $19,250, which
leaves a difference of $11,75o. To this,
they say, should be added $4,000 paid into
the sheriff's office in civil business, and
$1,000 in fees from the st. Cloud reform
atory and Saltwater prison, which will
increase the amount saved $17,750.
The commissioners are said to have
made wild guess when they estimated
the probable cost of books and stationery,
under the new law at $4,000. Those who
profess to know insist that $500 will cover
the printing bill nicely
Other sources of income will bring the
total saved up to $4,000, say friends of.
the bill.
Work of Taxpayers League.
The agitation and investigation ending
with the deposing of Sheriff Megaarden
began with the Tax Payers League in
1898. An investigation made by the league
at that time brought out the fact that
public funds had been expended at the
courthouse greatly in excess Of the
amounts authorized by the board Of tax
levy. Here are the figures for the three
years ending with 1898:
Deficit at
Year Expended. End of Year.
1896 s401 ,545. % SIS 4s4 IS
Q07 d2S 1G7