The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1911-03-28
VIEWS VARY ON
SALARY Crab
Action Of County Commissioners
i'm Increasing Pay Likely
to BIZ Contested.
MANY BELIEVE NEW LAW
TO BE UNCONSTITUTIONAL
Contend That Rate of COmpen-
sation Cannot Be Changed
During Incumbency.

BY increasing the salaries of all of
the county officers TO the maximum pro-
vided for under the house bill which
passed the state Legislature recently, the
county commissioners on Monday placed
the salary grab law in a position to
be tested by the courts. The commits
sioners intend that the increase in SAL
aries shall be immediate, contending
that the constitutional provision against
Increasing the salary OF any officer dur
ing the term for which he is elected is
moi so worded to become bar to the
immediate operation OF the law.
The salary grab adds approximately
$500 a year to the salaries OF the present
county officials. each receiving share
in the grab The constitution provides
against the increase In salaries of state
and district officers. but does not specl-
asafnt the II
Is contended by many that the intent Of
the trainers Of the constitution is per
fecuy clear and that the section meant
TO include county officers.
Injunction Proceedings Likely.
II is probable that some taxpayer will
bring action against the county auditor
to restrain him from drawing the war;
rants TO pay the increase In salaries. on
the increase is proposed is unconstitu'
ticnal. This would bring the matter in
TO the courts for a Judicial construction
creasing the salaries of public officers
while they are still In office.
Attorney General A. R. Barnes said
and he has not been asked to pass on
its constitutionality. He did not care to
express himself as to whether or not the
law was constitutional Republican
member OF the state legislature said that
the Immediate increase In the salaries
OF county officers was clearly barred
hzr tA tettts low, ftut Ia r.rac
positive that the present officers of Salt
Lake county. which Is the only county
affected by the bill. would be unable TO
The constitutional provision with ref
| erence TO the salaries of officers fol-
lows:
What Constitution Says.
The governor. secretary OF state. audi
intendent OF public Instruction and such
other state and district officers as may
be provided for by law. shall receive
lion 's as fixed by law W. Which shall not be
diminished or Increased so as to affect
the salary of any officer during his term.
or the term next ensuing after the adop
ton of this constitution. unless a va
cancy occur, In which case the successor
OF the former incumbent shall receive
only such salary as may be provided by
law at the time OF his election or ap-
pointmcnt.
II is probable that the courts Will pe
uSkeU TO cOESlTue liDS nTONiSiOn OF tNe
constitution and that action will soon be
brought TO stop the payment of the In
crease.
Who Are Affected,
The increases In salaries made by the
commissioners under the new law fol-
low.
Commissioners. from $500 To $500;
sheriff. from $4,000 to $500 assessor,
sac SsS SsoS 5S ssoS from se 5000 c0m 10 sts $685. g.
treasurer. from $500 to $4,000: attorney.
from $500 10 $4,000; surveyor. from $1,000
The salary Of the matrnn ~ The county
infirmary Mrs. James Sabine. WAS in
creased by the board Monday from SO
the second girl was raised from $50 10 S25
4 month.