The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1905-06-07
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 7, 1905.
SHERIFFS ARE INDIGNANT.

SHERIFFS ARE INDIGNANT.
1t 10 reported from Helena that the
sheriffs of several counties held an in.
dignation meeting in the capital city
the other day, to protest against the
enforcement of a new law which pro.
poses to abolish a graft enjoyed by
that class Of public employees. 1t was
decided by those present at the meet.
ing that the matter should be taken
into court for adjudication, the pres
ent sheritfs being advised by certain
legal authorities that the new law does
not apply 10 those now holding Office.
The law that caused this furry Of
excitement among Montana sheriffs is
one which provides they shall receive
actual expenses incurred in transport
ing cOnvicts and others to state insti-
tutions. 1t has been customary for
sheritfs, under the old law, to charge
ten cents per mile for themselves and
their prisoners when making these
trips, and it is understood they made
a big rake-otf in many instances. 1t
is generally believed that the sheriff
himself travelled on a pass. anyway,
and that the charge he made for this
transportation was for the most part
clear profit. The newIlawlproposes that
the sheriff shall present vouchers for
the expenses incurred in performing
this class OF his offici alIduties, and be
reimbursed every Icent he may have
expended.
There are twocpoints of view from
which this matter:may be considered.
The sheritfs wantI all there is in the
Office, and are preparedl.to 60 into
court to get it.CThey sought Office
with the understanding that, 10 addi-
ton to a veryNliberal salary, the
statutes give themIEopportunity to
secure emOluments, perquisities and
rake.otfs that amount to a large sum
annually. Itois not their fault that
such opportunitysexists; it was created
by Montana lawmakers years ago,
and the sheritfs avail themselves of
the invitation to..make as much as the
law allows.
On the other hand, the people OF
Montana, who employ these public Of
6cials and foot the bill, are very much
interested in this matter. They are
in favor of a square deal-a square
deal for the sheritfs and q square deal
for the taxpayers. They are in favor
of paying liberal salaries to the sher.
IFS and other public officials, but do
not wish to be %plundered through the
medium OF ill.advised laws which per.
NIT graft at the expense of the public.
The Office OF sheriff is one of the best
paid public positions in Montana, con
sidering the qualifications necessary
for the discharge of its duties. In the
county Of Silver Bow, the annual sal.
AIRY alone is $500: in Cascade, Lewis
and Clark, Chouteau and Missoula
counties the annual salary of the sher-
iii is $500: in the lother counties it
ranges from 81, $50 to $1,000 a year.
These salaries ssalone are liberal COM
pensation for the services rendered.
The high figure is said to be justified
by the risks attached to the duties of
the office, but it might be suggested
that deputy sheritfs and c~onstables,
who make most of the arrests and are
brought into personal contact with
desperate characters, receive far less
remuneration.
In addition to these handsome sala.
ries the sheritfs are said to derive a
large annual income from emolumeuts
permitted by law, Il iportion of which
Is derived from mileage compensa alton
that costs them little or nothing. In
connection with the financial Difficult.
ties of u former sheriff of Cascade
county, 1t was stated that he made
about $4,000 u year while in Office,
and it is inferred that the sheritfs OF
other counties do almost as we'll
These salaries and emoluments come
from the pockets Of the taxpayers.
Most of the sheritYs are capable of,
fcers; they are pleasant, sociable fel.
lows. and good vote gctters, but is il
reasonable that they be given salar,
and emoluments whose annual amour
is greater than the money compensa
ton OF the governor of Montana O.
our representative in congress:
AS before remarked, it is not tn,
fault OF the sheritfs that such a situa
ton exists. Montana lawmakers ar,
responsible for the official salary lis
and the perquisites connected with tn,
Office. The ninth legislative assembI,