The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1912-06-16
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ee Conservative.

reduce the cost of running their af-
fairs.
About the first thing that strikes
their attention is the fact that there
are too many offices. and too much
help provided by law.
There is hardly anyone who will
question that we need reform in
this particular. and need it as soon
as we can get it. Our constitution
makers, and Legislators seem to have
had the big eye" when they came
to providing us with a corps OF cOun-
ty officials to take care of our pub
lie interests. But we must remem-
Der it twill take the legislature, and
in some instances, constitutional
amendment, to bring the needed re-
lief. Take for instance the register
of deeds. So long as it is maintain
ed as separate office, 1t will be
impossible to reduce the expense
very materially. II cannot be run
well without three persons, even
when there is not work enough to
keep three busy. If the c0unsh
keep three busy. If the public is
must be ready at all times to re-
ceive instruments, and show records
and papers. After every instrument
is recorded, 1t should be carefully
compared with the original and this
requires two persons. II this is at
tempted, and one of the two should
be forced to get up every few min
utes to show some citizen a rec
ord. or receive and file some paper,
the work of comparing cannot be
carefully done. 1t may be true
that there is not work enough at
all times to keep them busy, but it
is almost a necessity to keep them
there The only way to remedy this
Is to consolidate this office with
another. Perhaps it would be best
to attach it's duties to the office OF
county clerk. To save expense, and
insure effective service, the county
clerk should also be recorder OF
deeds, clerk of the county court,
clerk of the commissioners court,
and also issue marriage licenses. and
keep the accounts for the county.
This would of course require more
help than it now takes for that Of
flee, but it would consolidate the
work. and enable him to keep deputies
busy at different things, whereas
under the present regime, there Is
much time lost by having to keep
deputies where the work is not
enough for constant employment. In
addition to this, it might be found
profitable to attach to this office the
duties of clerk of the district court.
A considerable saving might be ell
fected in this way, in dispensing
with deputies who, as the work now
stands, have not enough to keep
them busy. and are yet necessity,
the way the offices are arranged.
In the matter of the treasurer
office, it would be hard to make
much change. The collection OF the
taxes might be attached to the sher-
ifs office as it is in some states,
though we would still have to have
a treasurer to handle the funds.
However. il he did not do the col
lecting. one man could run the Oh
flee, but perhaps little would be gam
ed as the sheriff would require ad-
ditional deputies to do the work.
There are many other changes that
could be made in the interest or
economy, without any sacrifice OF
efficiency.
OF course. much has to be left to
the discretion of the board OF coun-
ty commissioners. In fact, the coun-
ty commissioner is the most i'm
81 ,n1 in
This is only small part OF the
changes necessary to reduce our ex-
penses to a figure that will be with
in our reach. and do justice to the
taxpayers. But these changes can
not be made in excitement, ana
abuse of the men who now hold
these offices. They are not to blame
and the remedy must be provided
by legislation. and by votes on con-
stitutional amendments. This aru-
Gle is not intended as boost for
the present officials who are seek
ing re- elec tion. nor as criticism
of them. They should be judged by
the same standard as all other can
didates are. In fact any others VINO
may take their places will be con-
fronted by the same conditions. un-
til we change our system. Let us
see TO ii that the legislative can
didates. who ask our support. de-
clare themselves on these matters.
1t is a hopeful sign when the peo-
pie get interested in these things
and believe it is possible that by
working in a reasonble and sensible
way, to improve our local govern
meut machinery. and save almost one
half the expense We are now pay
ing.
Let us discuss these things calmly
as we would some business propo-
sition. and 20 about seeking a rem
ed,. as we would something uhat
touches each citizens private inter
est. We must do this or our our-
dens will become too heavy for us
A Leading, Constructive Citizen.
We notice that the Beckham coun-
.s.A