The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1903-02-07
REPORTS AND MESSAGES
OF STATE OFFICIALS.

The SENTINEL wishes to acknowledge
the receipt of the annual report of the
State Controller for the year 1902, the
biennial report of the Surveyor Gen
ersl and the BIENNIAL report Of the
Secretary Of State for the years 1901
1902, the message of the retiring Gov.
ernor, Reinbold Sadler. and the insugu.
raj message of Governor John Sparks.
They are able, we'll written docu-
ments, and contain a large amount of
useful information which il would be
we'll for every citizen and taxpayer to
read and study carefully. A working
knowledge of the official business Of
the State, Of the manner in which il is
or should be conducted, and of the
duties and responsibilities of the vsri-
Gus State officers, is absolutely es-
sential to the intelligent and conscien.
cious performance of the duties of citi-
zenship. With such knowledge the
people could hold every State official
to strict account for the work preform-
ed. could judge of the quality of his
work, and by the intelligent exercise of
the right of franchise could reward the
faithful and punish the unfaithful pub
lie servant. In this way. and in this
way only. can the people hope to Sc
cure efficient public service and wise,
economical government.
Governor Sadler and Controller Davis
both recommend an increase of salary
for deputy State officers, giving as a
reason therefor an increase in the
amount of work required as we'll as an
increase in the cost of living. The lat
ter says, too, that they perform nearly
all the work of their respective offices.
1t may be that their salaries are too
small for the work required and per-
formed, but in comparing their pay
with the wages of other lsborers,
skilled or unskilled, it should be re-
membered that they are furnished with
comfortable quarters, with fuel, light
and %janitor service, and that they are
paid as much or more than professional
bookkeepers in large business houses.
1t should also be remembered that they
are not forced to accept the positions.
and would not if they did not consider
them desirable and the remuneration
satisfactory. In almost every case q
hundred other men equally qualified
would be glad to get the positions.
Again, if it be true as the Controller
says. that the deputies perform nearly
all the work, it follows that their
superior officers do very little. and on.
sequently are paid too much. Admit
ting. then. that the deputies are paid too
little, it would seem only just that the
superior officers, holding sinecure pos
itions and drawing large salaries. should
make up the deficiency. If not, they
should be required to do the work
themselves and the position of deputy
should be abolished. The State, the
people who. in the last analysis, pay all
the salaries, cannot afford to keep men
in Office simply for ornamental purposes.
But it may be urged that the superior
officers are often incompetent to per-
form the practical work required. If
SO, they should never have sought or
been elected to Office, for competence is
the first qualification for Office, and
should be held as an absolute pre-.
requisite tor getting it. Three hundred
dollars a month is enough for the work
done in any State Office. Let it be
divided equally between the principal
and his deputy, and both will fare
better than do many men of equal abil.
ity. and neither will have just cause for
complaint.