Amador ledger. (Jackson, Amador County, Calif.) 1875-19??, 1906-11-23
A Good Move.

Our senator elect, A. Caminetti, is
considering change in the law re-
lating to the fee schedule of the
several county offices, with the view
OF placing them on something like a
self-sustainine basis. This can GER
tainly be done with much benefit to
the county as far as the. clerks and
recorders offices are concerned; and
likewise. with fair adjustment, the
sheriff's office might also be made to
contribute large proportion of the
sum now paid TO that officer as salary.
The last repub lican convention held
In Plymouth took strong ana decisive
grounds on this subject, advocating
an amending the laws so as to take a
portion of the burden from the tax
payers In general and place it where
1t belongs-upon those who engage
In civil litigation. The sheriff e
office should have the handling Of all
sales under foreclosure and execution.
The vicious system of permitting
special commissioners to be appoint
ed, fer the purpose of diverting fees
into the pockets of favorites, should
be swept away. 1t is simply an out
rage upon the taxpayers-a graft
under the sanction of law. OF course,
the legal fraternity may cry out
against the revision of the fee
schedule on the ground that it will
increase the cost of litigation, and
thereby tend to less their business.
This objection, if it were we'll found
ed. would certainly furnish no valid
argument against the REIMBURSEMENT of
the fee system on an equitable basis.
But in truth, there is no reason why
it should have such an effect. The
cost Of litigation is far greater to-day
than it was twenty years ago, when
the court fees we're incomparably
heavier than they are at present. So
that the cutting down of the fees that
6ow into the treasury to the vanish
ing point has had no appreciable
effect in reducing the costs of civil
suits. Why. Simply because, what
has been saved in this direction, has
been more than lost in other ways.
An official shorthand reporter. at $40
per day, with enormous charges for,
transcribing testimony If demanded,
Is now deemed a necessity in every
contested trial, whether civil or
criminal. II civil, the parties in the
case are required to plank up the
fees; II criminal, the county treasury
has to bear the burden. This sort of
business Is an innovation of modern
court methods. When the presiding
judge and the attorneys took their
own notes, things went along just as
smoothly, while the unfortunate
litigants were far healthier in pocket
than now. These forms of extravag-
ance might we'll be Topped off. No
harm would be done anybody. It
would, perhaps place little more
work on public officials. and lengthen
out a case sometimes. But the
general tendency would be whole
some. We have fallen into ultra
extravagant ways in these matters.
10 look backwards, and travel a
little backwards, would not be amiss.
Let us hope these matters will engage
the serious attention of our law.
makers, and that something practical
will be the outcome for the relief of
situation that is really oppressive
In its one-sidedness.
There are twenty seven persons on
the great register of Amador county
who are over 80 years of age. J. M.
Myers and Jabez Wilds, both of West
jackson and neighbors in Stony
Greek, are the oldest registered
voters, each being credited with So
wears. II. II. Page, of Forest Home
comes next with 81 years. John
Marti, John K. Kelly, both of Jack
son, are Sc years, also Antonio Ratio
of Volcano. A. M. Addington of lone
is S5. b. s. Tyler is the sole pane
with "a. He is in OIeta precinct.
There are seven at 50, six at 81, and
five at 81.
The sherift's office is equipped with
a Burrows adding and listing ma
chine. 1t is an ingenious instrument
for adding figures, and Is absolutely
correct. A very valuable thing where
there Is large amount of calculating
to do, like figuring the taxes. The