The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-08-22
CLERKS DISCUSS
QUESTION OF FEES
WELL TO AID ABOLITION IF
PROVEN BEST SAYS PREsI-
DENT.
MANY COMPLICATIONS
CHANGES NECESSARY If OFFICES
SHOULD BE PLACED
ON SALARY
BASIS.
MANY COMPLICATIONS

Especial to The Richmond Virginian.)
CHARLOTTESVILLE VA, Aug,
21.--Declaring that when 1t is de-
monstrated that the salary system Is
in line with the greatest efficiency and
the best service to the people" he will
favor 1t. President Philip Gold. Of the
Virginia Court Clerks association
prefaced in discussion of the fee sys-
tenn in his report at the opening ses-
sion of the association here today
DIR. George l.. Petrie opened the
public session this afternoon with an
eloquent invocation. following which
President Gold. introduced Judge J.
W. Fishburne. who delivered the ad-
dress of welcome. The response was
made by S. r. Waddill, of Henrico
county.
Gold on Fee System.
President Gold then delivered his
annual address saying in part OF
the fee system
The more complex question Of the
adjustment Of the entire :o,t fystem
Is matter about which we. 81 .4erks,
should be more reticent IN .3us. OF
our direct interest In the subject If
the statutory provisions covcs.r.s the
taxation of costs arc 81. aced II
would certainly relieve the court
clerks Of Il very vexatious and ar
duous task, The abolition of the
fee system, If made, would mean the
substitution OF a new basis of com
pensation for the entire court pro-
cedurc of our State Judges salary
cxcepted). 1t has been the practice
for time immemorial to charge liti-
giants specific fees for services per-
formed by clerks, sheriffs, notary pub
lie, master commissioners, printers and
a specific fee for the attorney prevail
Ing or instituting the suit.
Thus 1t Is seen that the abolition
of the present system or pay as you
go plan for services. rendered would
necessitate a very considerable reve-
nue. in the way of indirect taxation TO
be paid for largely by those who do
not litigate. Unless as has been sug-
gested that the State exact the fees of
litigants and pay the salaries of the
officers, In which event, the officers
would be charged for all service rem
dered and would have to collect from
the patrons and ltigants accordingly.
Practical Effect.
Even II there would be a gain in the
State by this method. which we think
more than questionable, 1t would GER
tainly have the practical effect OF
bringing about very considerable
change In the 80 easy discretionary
practice which now exists and with
which every clerk ana many or our
best, but often unfortunate citizens are
familiar. by reason of the increased
banking md credit facilities and the
consolidation and other modern day
methods of commerce, litigation has
fallen off very materially in nearly all
| parts of the State, In fact in very
| great many. IL not majority of our
| rural districts 1t has deprecated so per
cent in the last ten years, and there Is
| no present indication of an increase. so
/ that 1t would seem that the average
| fee officer would not have all to lose.
! but greatly TO gain by the adjustment
! Of the fee system"
! President Gold declared that the
/ abolition Of fees and the payment of
salaries would prove beneficial to many
| clerks in the State.
| Salaries Elsewhere.
| Committees appointed to Investigate
| the pay received by clerks in other
| states. reported that In Maryland three
| men were required to do the work
done by Virginia clerk In North
| Carolina two men were needed to do
| the same work, one being paid salary
| of 81, 500 and the deputy $500. After
| brief discussion the association agreed
to recommend the legislature that
| clerks be allowed 70 settle with the
| auditor every sixty days