The Owosso times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1897-1926, 1902-02-21
FARMERS CLUBS MEETING.
Best Meeting In their History Held In
Congregational Church In this City
!, Tuesday and Wednesday.

6e8t MeotinS III tneH r'ssoty Vo'u !"
consres sationaI Church in this City
Tuesday and Wednesday.
The seventh annual meeting of the
Shiawassee County Association of
Farmers Clubs convened this year Feb
ruary 1S, in the Congregational church,
Owosso. The fine weather and good
roads favored the incoming of the pa
irons of the association from the differ
ent parts of the county. At 1890 the
meeting was called to order by the pres
ident, P. B. Reynolds, of Maple River
The opening invocation was offered by
Rev. G. Fl. Hanks, pastor of the church.
Mayor S. d. Emery in well selected
words welcomed the farmers to the
courtesies of the. city. The mayor pro-
nounced himself as being closely drawn
toward farmers and mechanics, and in
early life had strong predisposition
toward farming and hoped that by and
by he could return to Maine, his native
state, and settle down to agriculture for
the ideal ending of his life. He felt
that of all vocations that Of the farmer
was farthest removed from the excite
ments and exactions of business life,
and at the same time tend to develop its
votaries physically, mentally and re-
igiously. The doctrine of mutuality
should existtbetween the city and the
country. We depend upon you and you
depend upon u.s. We must work to-
gether. We want to serve you faithful
ly as" merchants, purchasers, and
consumers, and in turn we want you TO
excel along all lines of production.
With great pleasure i, in the name of
the city, extend to You a hearty welcome.
Response was to have been made by
Floyd Owen, but being absent the presi
dent said briefly, I'VE appreciate these
kind words and reciprocate and respond
to thissidea of mutuality. We are glad
to be here, and we are persuaded the
farmers clubs and oranges of the coun-
ty are breaking down the social bar
'riers which formerly existed between
the city and the country
The County Fee System was ably pre-
sented by the County Clerk John Y.
Martini
Mr.. President: 4 am called upon to
discuss the County Fee SYSTEM
Before commence looking this matter
up I supposed that was opposed to the
Straight salary system because of the
extra work 1 th0aght it would make,
suppoSng the. fees would remain the
same as now fixed by law, and that
every &c, 12c or 25c fee, the clerk would
either have to collect or pay, and would
have to keep an account of it. But l
find where the salary system is in
practice, as in Saginaw county, the Law
prescribes an entry fee of So 90 in every
case to be paid before the first entry is
made, with an additional $4.00 to be
paid by the prevailing party before the
(. final judgment lis entered or decree is
signed, and ju1y fee of $500 is also
paid in jury cases.
All the world loves IS lover, but no one
has so genuine and universal love for
all lovers, of ma1Tiageable tendencies as
the county clerk, for this from marriage
licenses) is the largest item of his rev
enue, amounting last year to little
over $500. The next largest item (sad to
relate) comes from the fees from di-
vorces amounting to .abnnt 5000. The
fees collected from law cases tried last
year amounted to about $50 to the clerk
The entrylfee paid, that is the clerks
share of it, amounted TO $40 This
makes 5000. Add to this q number of
25c pieces the usual amount, of clerks
certificate, with &c each fGr' recording
births and deaths and some other small
ameunts, and it will crowd around
another 500, making 500 In fees be-
sides the salary of 81, 000. When telling
this to one familiar with the office, he
said, sTon better add If the fees are all
paid"
i was surprised to look the matter
up and find there We're but eleven
original Jury cases tried last year. l
say ORIGINAL for cases retired neserlpay
but once and the limit is $500 for ANY
law case.
In every law case mot chameery)
, started theme is collected by the clerk for
the county 900 entry fee, and every
contested jury case $500 stenographer's
fee and 500 jury fee, making $500 the
county gets out of every one of this
class of cases
The clerk receives no fees in criminal
cases. Before j entered upon the duties
of the clerks Office / was told that there
Was constantly in the clerks hands
about $4,000 awaiting the proper
claimants to call for it, hut found there
was no money turned over to me,
neither have any money at the present
time. rs county clerk or register in
chancery. / have had small sums paid
into my hands, but Immediately it has
always been called for.
There are many pleasant features
about the work in the county clerks