The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-05-19
Jere King Says Influence
Against Fee System Would
Be Felt There
OFFICEH0LD ERS' AGENT
DEFEATED FORMER BILLS
jefferson Representative Explains
Fight Against Abolition of Fee Sys-
tenn and Difficulties Members
of Legislature Encounter.

"She Sheriffs and Clerks association, of
which Col. e. L. Higdon is a very promi-
nent member, was responsible, through
its paid agent, for the defeat of the sal
airy bill in the legislature last year"
said Representative Jere C. King, the
man who twice introduced such a bill
during the last session. when approached
yesterday.
Now If Colonel Higdon wants to do an
effective service to his county and state
he will call meeting of the Sheriffs and
Clerks association and get it to pass reso-
lutions asking the legislature to pass a
salary act, cutting out the fee system
If they would do so and stand up TO
their agreement, the bill would go through
without the least trouble
However," he continued, IT will be
glad to reintroduce the bill at the extra
session if the governor will include it
in his call and will do all 1 can to push
it through. Jefferson's representatives in
the house stand solidly together for the
salary system and will vote for it when
ever occasion presents.
I'm case we find It impossible to pass
such bill I would favor the submits
sion to the people of the proposition to
strike out section 96 of the constitution.
"section SO reads: THE Legislature shall
not enact any law not applicable to all
the counties in the state regulating costs
and charges of courts or fees, commits
sions or allowances of public officers.
This makes It impossible to pass a law
establishing a salary for a single county,
but the law must be general, either on
a basis of taxation or population.
"If the section be repealed the next leg
islature could easily pass bill setting
| salaries for jefferson county officials. We
would send our representatives pledged
to secure such a law, but this would
delay the change until after another term.
| The people will vote unanimously for the
change in the constitution, as it would
not affect them in the slightest.
Their objection to my bill was based
| on the ground that it caused extra book
keeping for the little counties. Under
| 1t the probate judge and the sheriff re-
| ceived $500o the tax assessor and col
| lector, the court clerks, the superintend-
ent of education and the register in chan
Gerry received $4,000, where the fees amount
ed to that much, and in cities where the
| fees were less the officer only received
the amount of fees collected. The amount
over the salaries went into the county
treasury At the end of the year an &C
counting was to be made by all officers,
showing just what they received and
how they disposed of it. This was the
feature which proved unpopular in the
smaller counties. The bill also provided
that In cities of over $4,000 population the
clerks for the officers should be paid
by the boards of revenue. None of its
provisions touched the salaries of any
counties except jefferson, Mobile and
Montgomery.
IF the sheriffs and clerks would re-
move their opposition and indorse 1t, such
a bill would easily go through l will
promise my every effort, first, to get the
bill through, and then, if necessary to
submit the repeal of section SO to the
people.
Il consider the fee system the most
Ubiquitous in this country. 1t has been
made an instrument of oppression, and
1t increases the incentive to make ar
rests. The least objection to the fee
system Is the amount of money the Off
GERS get. 1t is this promiscuous arrest
ing of citizens and unfortunates which
hurts. -
1.-THE rich and prosperous states of the
north have abolished the system long
since 1t is only the sparsely settled anti
ouated states which maintain 1t, and Ala
, bama cannot afford to continue in the
grasp of the officer whose first last and
eternal ambition is to get his arm in
the pot and keep it there"