Amador ledger., 1905-01-20
HOW 1T CAME ABOUT.

figures taken from the official records
that Amador county has suffered a
diminution of revenue to the tune OF
five thousand dollars per year in the
matter of fees collected in the sheriff's,
clerk aud recorders offices alone,
as compared with the receipts of
twenty years ago. This tremendous
shrinkage has been brought about
by so gradual a process that it has
passed unnoticed by the average
citizen, Notwithstanding it has
proved a potent factor in increasing
the burdens of the taxpayers. 1t is
easy of demonstration that with our
present assessment roll, and an
equitable adjustment of our local
revenue schedule, together with an
economical administration of affairs,
the tax rate for county purposes
ought not to exceed one dollar on
the hundred, instead of being in the
neighborhood of 81. so as it has been
for number of years past. There
is no valid reason why a tax rate of
about $1.50 should not suffice to
meet the demands for both state and
county purposes, and the only reason
that can be assigned why such a
levy falls far short of requirements
is that our laws are made, not in
the interest of the general public,
but for benefit of self-seeking poll
ticians and office-holders.
The history of the fee system of
Amador county is striking illus
tration of how public interests are
sacrificed for personal and class in
terests. A quarter of entury ago
the emoluments of Office as far as
sheriff and county clerk and recorder
were concerned consisted mainly of
fees. Fees paid by those doing bust
ness with these offices were the
principal source of revenue. 1t was
therefore in order for the office
holders to boost the fee system to
the highest possible notch. The
bigger the fees the more money went
into the pockets of the officials. In
those days if a man was unfortunate
enough to get into a law suit,
whether as plainti or defendant,
he was presented with bill of fees
from sheriff and clerk, and the
money so collected was to recon-
pense them for their services in that
particular case. The fees were not
paid into the treasury as now, but
were retained by the officers in lieu
of fixed salary. Abuses grew up
under that system. Outrageous fees
were sanctioned and collected.
Princely incomes flowed into the
Golfers of holders, and for the
support of party managers. 1t was
estimated at one time that the in
come of petty county official
approximated to the salary of the
governor of the state. The pull was
all in the direction of swelling the
fees. Finally the abuse became SC
fragrant that a cry was made against
the fee system as q mode of com
pensating county officials. 1t was
at last abolished. County officers
were paid fixed salary in full com
pensation for all services rendered
by them. The fees they had hereto
fore collected and pocketed were
still in force, but were paid into the
county treasury. 1t was calculated
that without any extortionate de.
mands the fees would Offset, if not
exceed, the salaries paid to the
officials. The wiping out of the fee
system was hailed as a reform move
ment of the utmost Importance. But
just as soon as the fees were diverted
into the county treasury, than in
fiuences were brought to bear to cut
them down to the lowest figure. OF
course, the incumbents in Office were
Indifferent about keeping them up
to the former standard. Whether a
high or low scale of fees was in
vogue mattered nothing to them;
their salaries were fixed. But the
subject soon became of much inter
est to the law-making class-the
lawyers. 1t was to their interest to
cut down the fees, thereby relieving
the litigants of the just burden of
litigation and throwing the expense
upon the property taxpayers. This
would tend to encourage litigation,
and at the same time save money to
be swallowed up in attorneys fees.
Every legislature that has met since
the change was effected has taken
a whack at the fee schedule, until it
stands to-day the mere skeleton OF
by-gone days. Work that was for
merly confided to the Shorthand
which rightfully belongs to that
officer-such as sales in foreclosure