The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-02-13

sembly, but It is not yet too latc. There
are left few days In which bill
embodying the Governors recommcn-
dations Gun be offered. II venture, be-
cause OF the Importance OF the subject.
to again call your attention to It (the
! salary systcm), and to recommend that
at least q start be made. If only tho
cities are dealt with at this session."
says Governor Mann In his second mes
sage on this subject. The question is
/ important, there is imperative need &C
reform. and there Is an opportunity
here for popular fight II some fear
less legislator will have the courage to
Introduce a bill In accordance with the
Governors suggestions.
In his message, Governor Mann com
pletcly destroys tho subterfuge used
heretofore by the General Assembly
as an excuse for taking no affirmative
action as to the fee system. The old
dodge used 1T this session was that
reform OF the fee system is inadvisa bio
because sufficient information cannot
be had, and because the salary system
would be difficult to apply in every
clares that he "foresaw this dificulty,"
and for that reason limited his recon-
mendations so that the salary system
should at this time be applied only to
cities and counties of more thar co.
600 inhabitants. 1t would take little
y. In
work IN these cities and counties and
achieve great economy for the State.
If the system operated effectively in
such places, II would be extended grad
ually to the entire State. Everybody
sees through this old lack OF lnforma-
ton" gag. Nobody but the fee Of
hcers themselves know the amount Of
fees they receive. These men keep no
records. II Is TO their profit to re-
fuse to reveal their earnings They
Will never tell as long ar the present
system exists. This "inrormation' will
never be forthcoming.
The Governor squareIy meets the |
problem with an adequate solution. He /
would allow sularles "commensurate
with the duties and responsibilities of
the office dealt with" payable out of |
tho fees received at the particular Of
Gce. II the amount OF the salary is paid ,
IN there. Iftthc fees are not as much !
as the salary allowed, then the salary
Is to be cut down to the amount of
fees received. In other words, Il maxi
mum salary basis is established. The
further recommendation IL that the bin
require, under penalty, that accurate
fee books be kept and tho fees collect
ed turned into the treasury monthly.
Tho Stute could not possibly lose
revenue under such bill. and sys-I
TEN would be established which would
furnish the Information desired by the
General Assembly as to territory COW
cred. and Information as TO the other
could be obtained in such n
way as should be deemed best" ar
cues the Governor with great force. II
the system Is established. 1t will eX
tend Itself and settle all questions. If
1T is wise ana practical as We believe
1t TO be.
The General Assembly ought not to
evnde its plain duty and let go unhccd-l
ed this repeated recommendation from
the Governor. Certain members OF the
General Assembly were elected last
summer on an antifec system platform,
and they ought to have the courage to
respond to the cali OF the Governor
ana Introduce u bill embracing his sus
gcstlons. Is the voice OF the fee OIL
hceholdcr more powerful than that OF
the Governor OF Virginia?