The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-06-01
State Senators Assert
Sheriff Opposed Bill
to Abolish Fees.
JOHNSON REVIEWS
ATTACK IN SPEECH
Former Deputy, Now Seeking
Office, Declares That Chief
Was Strangely Absent for
Entire Week-Candidates
Again Appeal for Votes
in Primary.

i'ttNeTs from TWO members OF the
Finance Committee of the last State
Senate, were read 10 the Clay Ward
Actves last night by stephen John
son. candidate for City Sheriff. in sup
port of his charge that Sheriff j. Her
bert Mercer, while claiming to be an
opponent of the fee system, had taken
active steps TO prevent the passage OF
an act placing his own office on a sal
AIRY basis. Mr., MERGERS reply was
that the bill had been so altered In
committee as TO be no longer acccpta-
bic. He did not reply to the charge
~ his former deputy that on one &C.
tasion last year. he had been absent
from his Office for more than week.
and that during that time not one OF
his deputies had been able to locate
him.
AS result OF Mr. Johnson's
charges the Sheriff fight mas jumped to
the front in local interest Contest
ing candidates for number OF Of
fces spoke briefly before the Clay
Ward Actives, except candidates for
the Legislature, who agreed not TO
enter joint speaking until the return
TO the city OF Captain Stratton and
Captain Myers to-day. The lcgisla-
tive candidates Will probably be heard
first before the Henry Clay Club on
Wednesday night.
Mercer-Johnson Incident.
That Mr. Johnson had something up
bis sleeve was anticipated. and mem
bcrs OF the club waited with interest
last night to hear from the two can
didates for Sheriff MIR Mercer spoke
first, briefly plcdging himself To full
I'll every duty imposed by the office il
reelected.
Mr.. Johnson read from AN interview
with Mr.. Mercer in an afternoon paper
on Friday, In which Mr.. Mercer stated
that hc favored the salary basis for
public officials. Mr.. Johnson then read
letter from l. .. Wendenburg. MEM
Der of the Senate Finance Committee.
dated yesterday, stating that House
bnl No l65 passed the House of Dele
gates at the last session. placing the
Office OF Sheriff OF the city OF Rich
mond on a salary basis. 1t went TO
The Senate. and was referred to the
Senate Finance Committee. and SEN
ator Wendenburg stated that Mr.. Mcr-
Ger came TO him and asked that the
bill be not approved or considered.
The bill died in committee.
Asked Thurman Ia Drop II.
Mr.. Johnson also read n letter from
~ c. Hartman, member OF the Senate
Finance Committee and senior state
senator from Richmond, stating that
= L,
was referred to tn. Senate and that
Mr.. Mercer requested me to let the
bill drop
House bill 1875 was exhibited by Mr..
Johnson. It's patron was Mr.. Cox.
and IL provided that in cities having
a population of 10000 or over-that
is to say, in Richmond. as the only
city OF that size in this S,ate-the
Sheriff shall be paid a salary of 81
800. and the deputies $1,000 year each.
The House Finance Committee added
before tho bill was passed: provided
in no case shall the state be obliged
10 pay to this officer and his deputies
in salaries more than the State actu-
ally receives from the fees accruing
to the State under this act" These
letters, Mr.. Johnson claimed, proved
conclusively that Mr.. Mercer was not
for a salary basis.
Missing for a Week.
about this time last year" con-
tnued Mr.. Johnson MIR. Mercer was
away from mis- office for about n week
He did not come To the Office during
that period. nor did he communicate
with any Of mis- deputies. The depu-
ties tried in every way to find him
and were unable to locate him"
Stating that he had promised no po-
SlslOuS 10 utDulieS, MI. JonHSOn LOOK
his Seat.
There were many calls for Mercer"
and with one dissenting voice the club
voted to give him a snow" although
he had already spoken. President Har-
vey Farmer giving him the floor to
reply to the charges of his opponent
Mr.. Mercer came forward deliberately
and spoke without heat although his
faced was flushed and he was evident
ly making an effort to control him
self
Mr. MERGERS Reply.
I'VE had a bill introduced he eX-
planned. ito have the Office placed on
a salary basis both as to the Sheriff
and his deputies. The House Finance
Comrnitteo put provision into the bill
that made it read so that if the fees
didn't amount to as much as the salary
list, payments were to be limited to
the income OF the office, while all fees
in excess OF this amount were tor be
turned over TO tie State. We were
not guaranteed a tlat salary if the fees
fell below that amount, and would
have to keep an account with the
State for all fees
1--WE thought 1t accomplished nothing.
and my friends advised me to let the
matter drop--that as the bill was
amended there was nothing in It, l
have been trying to get my own Office
ON salary basis and turn over all
fees to the state. / am trying to
conduct this campaign on high plane.
We have all made mistakes If there
is any one here who has not, let him
hold up his hand"
No hand went up, and Mr.. Mercer
received round OF applause as he
returned to his ecat
Candidates for Sergeant.
John L. Satterfeld, City Sergeant,
was the first speaker If his conduct