The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1907-07-12
THE FEE SYSTEM.

The last issue of The Manufacturers
Record copied an editorial from Inc
Virginian-Pilot. of Norfolk on the
OWLS of the fee system for state amt
co,nty officials as operated IN Virginia
and then made the following coEll19"
m he subject as applicable to the
system generally. The Record strict
ures are very severe, but we thih"
+boro is much truth in what 1t says,
and we give it's editorial here Tor the
neneat of our readers. who we wish
will give it careful attention:
The Virginiaa-Pilot does not go lar
enough The condition it describes 10
something more tina q comIleli'"y
on Virginia's sense OF tne ith-sS
things. 1t is simply renec.io ;nh even
rottenness OF politics from "hlcn eEe.
Virginia, as we'll as many announcer
state. is not exempt. Properly man
! aged. as any ordinary success1ul JUS.
| ness corporation be-, alHosL als
state in the union-and those OF the
south are by no means eAcePtoo
could, without increasing tne puIu
| OF f4XaI1On. ndSc hIoAlSS
| hrild good roads everywhere, 10 -
| tahlish and maintain schools OF the
| hest sort and to do everything erSe
! needed for the betterment OF the sldIe.
! The fee system as generally adl1IilS-1
! tered means the maintenance OF q 10.
| of Ieeches upon the
means rains upon the ~oducln err
n1ents nj The state for the beneht
Of hcnchmc OF this political party OF
t1,at. or of the favored ret&lners OIL
amounting powers who nave riSell
above party obligations TO the heiShto
of personal politics. 1t means NO OK
three persons being paid from tne
pockets of producers tor services NC
could be more effectively rendered oy
one competent salaTied person. IL IS a
fruitful mother of the rankest SORT Oh
in i1stice and other abuses us pos
sihilities for evil become appafent
when one considers, for instance, Una
in some states sheriffs Of other OH
! Gals are paid so much for every ar
rest they make. whether or not con
viction follows, or are allowed SO
mnch q dav for the maintenance OF
every prisoner in their Charge sys-
tenn that makes an open door for 1aise
arrests of individuals ignorant or tnell
rights or unable to pay a fee to some
SINISTER more than likely Standlng ii
with the officer of the law, or a Keep
ing down OF the rare "
the minimum so as to fatten the pocs'
ct Of the custodian. In some state'
there is a system Of civil magistrates
paid wholly by fees, rocking with op'
portunities for unnecessary and DIS
honest litigation, SO administered tina
the title of the magistrates. -. p" Is
with more truth than poetry. regard
ed as standing for justice for tn
PLAINTIFF. the suits beng SO frequentf!
decided in favor of the individuals ap
pealing to the justice of the peace.
The south needs to rouse itself OF
this momentous subject. In this da.
of awakening public conscience, OF
determination tn advance civic moral
!; ity the south should take hold witt
/. great vigor of the questions Of publ
! economy and fundamental honest
| in county, city and state affairs invol
we'd in the fee system, and cad tn
: way in providing that in cases Wher
, fees are the most convenient mean
of payment for public services the zee
should be turned into the puoil
treasury and the servants OF the PEG
! pie be paid from the treasury in sal
- | aries.