The Washington herald., 1909-06-14
SPECIAL to rAs wlahiagtoo Herald.

SPECIAL 10 ras wG1hingtn herald
Norfolk. Va. June l2-Here In Norfolk
greater interest Is manifested in the
scramble for the fat municipal Offices
than there is IN the contest &c name a
Democratic candidate for governor Of
Virginia. and there is a reason.
There are three city Offices to be filled
this year. and on account OF their prince
ly emoluments. due 70 the antiqusted fee
system which still reigns in Virginia.
there Is a fight 20 get the pluns. The
Offices are city sergeant. the man who
looks after the city jail; the city col
lector. the man who collects the city
taxes, and the city treasurer, the man
who collects the States taxes and takes
care OF the city's money.
Double Governors Salary.
The governor OF Virginia receives 5000
a year for his work and responsibilities,
yet the emoluments OF these more or
less minor municipal ofnces are double
and treble the salary paid the man 10
guide the destinies OF the State OF vir-
ginia.
The fees and allowances OF the once
OF city collector in this city are said TO
be approximately $3.50: OF the city SER
geant, between $1,000 and $1,000. and OF
the city treasurer. between $1,000 and
$4,000. The exact amount is not known
20 the outsider. There are two other
city ofsees. city clerk OF courts and ;he
commissioner OF revenue. which pay be-
tween $4,000 and $4,000 each annually.
In other Cities.
Norfolk has not a monopoly Of these
princely salaried onices. Other Virginia
cities have them. as well as some OF the
big counties. The Norfolk County clerk
ship OF court, held by Republican Ma
tional Committeeman Alvah II. Martin,
through a combination with Democrats.
IS said 70 pay as high as $4,000 a year
The fee system Of Virginia Is a relic
OF the old Underwood constitution. which
was put on the State during the recon
struetion days.
Then Virginia was impoverished. and
fees for public Offices we're Fixed 80 as 70
net the holders thereof living salaries. In
the last forty years Virginia has grown
and developed. and the business through
these city and county Offices handling
the court business, the collection OF taxes
the leVying OF assessments. and the care
OF prisoners IN Jails has Grown proper
uonstely, with the result that such otices
are the best paying in the State. OF
course. some expense in conducting the
Offices must come out OF the fees. but the
act salary 20 the holder Is often far IN
excess OF the amount a Job OF Ike re-
sponsibiiity in commercial business would
pay.
Loss Over 100000.
II has been estimated by some that n
the old fee system were abolished and the
Offices put on a salary basis. ranging be
tween $500 and 1900. Virginia taxpayers
would save over 10000 yearly-a sum
which would build twenty-five miles OF
good roads. or 300 miles in eight years.
a tho-oughfare which would cross the
state; or the amount could be taken TO
be used in advertising the resources or
The State for the purpose OF attracting de-
sirable settlers.
The question arises. VIII THIS anti
luated system be abolished as the United
States government abolished the Zee svs-
,em In the United States marshaTs Of
ices? II stands 10 reason that Il never
viii as long as many OF the men who
lold the Offices combine with other ONCE
lolders, thus forming a machine" for
he purpose OF controlling the onices OF
ne State II never will until a strong
fearless man arises who will carry the
ssue before the people.
Too Hot for Candidates.
In their discussions neither OF the two
candidates for the Democratic nornina-
ion for governor has touched upon this
vital issue, and It Is unlikely that they
will. The ofnceholdsrs. on account OF
heir big salaries. are a political power
n this land. II is little dangerous 20
antagonize them. and to do so means the
oss OF many votes
The Republicans also will dodge the
matter. Like the Democrats, there are
many oficeholders IN Southwest Viz
sinia, the G.. o. P. stronghold. who viii
antogoniZe any movement 10 cut down
he emoluments OF the Offices they hold.
The big ofhceholders are the big cogs
n the political machines. Democratic ana
Republican. There's the reason.
Until Virginia elects a legislature.
which Will take up this fee system evil
Ind adjust salaries OF public oficiais
ipon an equitable basis 70 be studied out
1y the unselHsh men Of the State. the
Zee system will abide in this land
HCity Ring" for Mann.
How the gubernatorial election Is go
ng is shaping itself here. The politi- !
'ians are lined Up behind Judge Mann, |
Ind the politicians OF Norfolk are the
eading spirits in the liquor business. /
This fact. coupled with the fact that
Judge Mann is virtually indorsed by the
League. has created a feel
ng OF doubt regarding the sincerity OF
he Nottoway candidate on the temper
lnce question. This condition was in
,reased by the failure OF Judge Mann
% take hand IN the Petersburg local
option election
Judge Mann is supported IN this city
~ the ''city ring or machine" The
zig Oficeholders and the men Identified /
With the liquor traffic are the dominant /
actors in this machine" Many be-
leve that Mr.. Tucker VIII receive the /
'ood government vote. which has always i
-oted against the city ring or ma
hine"
Capt. Lee VIII Speak at Luray.
pec5al 10 rns Washington Herald