Amador ledger., 1903-09-11
THE STRAITS OF DESPERATION

gret that we are not in position to
give verbatim account of the pro-
ceedings before the board Of super
visors touching this matter. A
synopsis only is presented, giving
the ideas expressed, without at
tempting to present the exact lang
uage used. AS far as the practical
effect of the action taken by the
board is concerned, it is entitled to
scaut consideration. The resolution
which was passed as the upsbot of
all the manuvering, licked out of all
semblance to its original self by the
repeated amendments, never had
any vitality. 1t was just as lifeless
after as before its passage. 1t is
customary to cross a stream when
one reaches it; but in this case the
supervisors essayed the foolish task
of trying to jump the stream before
it hove in sight. The result is they
have anchored themselves at the
delectable goal of Nowhere. To
comfort them in this strange land,
they were informed that their So
journ need be but temporary; they
could make good their escape at
their next meeting if they felt so dis
posed, by an order resembling the
resolution. If they were in any way
influenced in transcending their
authority by such thought, they
were simply hugging another de-
lusion. No action they may take
hereafter will rub out the record
already made. A false step officially
can never be obliterated. Atone
ment by confession of error is pos
sible; refusal to walk in the path
mapped out is not only probable but
almost inevitable; but the tell-tale
resolution-the blunder of its adop-
tion-can never be expunged. 1t is
part and parcel of the county's Of
fetal record, and as such must ever
remain.
From several view points the JUS
tees salary case is the most re-
markable piece of legal warfare ever
presented in the history of Amador
county. The case never had any
standing before the board of super
visors; it has no standing now All
references to it by that body are as
much out of place as would be an
attempt to control the legendary
"man in the moon" Any contro-
versy concerning a question of sal
airy must be determined by the
courts. The law expressly prohibits
the supervisors from dealing with
such mttter. In Calaveras county,
where similar suit is pending in
the courts, the justices and con-
stables have been drawing their fees
under the old law. No objection
would have been made to this plan
in Amador county. The plea of
financial stress pending the final de-
cision of the salary case would have
been thereby avoided. But this
simple way out of a difficulty did
not suit. If the justices aud con-
stables are serving without pay it is
their own fault; they have no one to
blame but themselves and their
counsel. But every conceivable de-
vice has been worked to induce the
board of supervisors to intervene.
Petitions have been circulated and
thrown at the board, directly and
Indirectly, praying the supervisors
to grant relief. Petitions as indexes
of popular sentiment do not amount
to much. 1t is an easy matter to
get signatures. A few months back
petition was signed in favor of the
incorporation of Sutter Greek. 1t
was believed that it indicated an
overwhelming sentiment in favor of
the scheme. But when it came to
the real issue, the vote was over
whelmingly against the project.
Representatives often act from
mistaken view of their responsible
ties. 1t is very rare that they will
fully overstep their bounds. Ere
quently we hear an official say: my
constituents want me to do so and
so; l am their servant; my first duty
is to do their bidding. Their desires
are supreme law to me-" This very
idea was expressed in the meeting
OF the supervisors this week. It is
a falIacious notion. No public SER
want can jnstify himself in doing a
wrong, in transcending his duty, by
claiming that the people wanted
him to do so. The true metal of the
man-whether in public or private
capacity-is brought out when in
face OF popular clamor, he resolves
to do his duty as he sees it. This
spirit may call down abuse and mis-
representation, but nevertheless it
IS the spirit that commands re-