The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1908-01-16
SALARY BILL
Continued from page one.1

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their behalf constitute practically all
the opposition the measure has.
Prima facia, at least, this opposition
is inspired by self interest and. 1
submit, should not appeal to a leg
islator. The people of the State
generally want the fee system abol-
ished. They SO declared by their
votes on the constitutional amend
ment affecting the offices Of the Sec
rotary of state and auditor. II the
fee system is bad for the state, how
is It good for the county?
The salary plan Is right In prin-
ciple and is sure to come sooner or
later, and no time could be more
opportune that the present. Not
again until 1920 viii 1t occur that all
county officials will vacate office az
the same time.
THE present law is more suited to
West Virginia now, than the white
flannel suit and straw hat are
suited to zero weather Of January.
The most insignificant office at the
time the present law was enacted Is
now. in many instances, from the
standpoint of compensation, the best
office in the county. A law which
makes a county Office more desirable
save for the honor-than the gov
ernorship, judgeship OF a seat in
congress, Is faulty. In many, in fact
in the majority of the counties, the
office easiest to fill is the one most
remunerative. The office which re-
quires not only native ability, but a
professional education acquired at
great cost OF time and money, is too
often the least attractive.
This condition tends to corrupt
politics. Once let the people and the
candidate know what the Office is
worth-that it is reasonable sum.
certain. and there viii no longer be
small fortunes spent in the effort to
secure an Office with a chance to
make nice sum Of money out Of it.
we, lawyers especially, find com
fort of boasting of the high standard
OF integrity of our judicial candidates
but frankly, If the fee system applied
to judges, wouldn't there be danger
of corruption even there? II there
be any member OF the profession
susceptible to temptation would they
not be most likely to become the can
didates and use questionable methods
to secure their seats on the bench aud
their chance to make money?
1T is a common criticism-often
unjust, no doubt-that justices OF the
peace are influenced in their judg-
ment by the prospective fees. Har-
rison county, believe, is fortunate
In having justices free from this crit
icism, but, II they received a salary
instead of fees they could not be en-
barrassed even by the suggestion
from the unsuccessful litigant.
Under the present law there arc
many worthy men deferred from
asking for office. because 1t has come
10 seem necessary to spend large
amounts OF money to make even c
respectable showing in the race. The
uncertainty Of what the Office is
worth, the chance to make It one
very remunerative. often presents the
spectacle of candidate In desperate
determination. spending perhaps. IL
wisely not too well. an amount equal
to what the average man would be
willing to accept as a salary for the
first one or two years in the office.
TO say that the officials would not
be dlllgenf in collecting the fees for
the state Is to assume that good men
win not he elected to office, besides
It would be very easy to require fees
to be paid In advance.