Albuquerque evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1911-1914, 1913-03-05

satisfaction Is from tho fact that the
issue is now clear cat. distinct and
definite with the exception of the
changes in the eninriea 0f the Officers
Of sandovui county. this is practically
The snme bin as was passed last june
und which I then folt n my duty 10
dlsapproNe after the most careful
consideration. My responsibility. ~ !
understand t ~ 60 aii the people og
New Mexico rnther than 90 q few who
are especially Interested ln ihla ipEia.
iaiiun. Tho isaue. ua o appears 20 me.
s hiatt nil uf the county officers
serve the people for proper and rea-
sonablc compensation. or shall the
tuypayerg be compelled to contributs
unfairly in some eases, to ihosa
whom they huve selected as their yer
wants
During the constitutional conven.
ton aud afterwards in the cnmpaiEn
for the adoption OF the constitution "
was generally claimed that tho salary
system for couny officers would be a
great saving over the old Zoe sys-
tom. When the people adopted the
constitution 10 was with that under
standing and belief. The provisions
uf this hill must. 90 lt seems 90 me.
boz disappointment Co them. be-
cause. instead of the expenses OF tho
county government being reduced.
they viii Dc cous.deruhlg Increased
In view ot the great tax burden un
der which ihe people are lnburinE.
and of which they bitterly complain.
10 seems Co mo thu. we are not iuali.
fled IN providing $40. 000 annually for
county officers n excess of liberal
compensation for tho work perform
cd. which ls done hv this hin. This
occurs chiefly Ion counties 81 the FIRST
aud second classes though there u
considerable of it in the thlrd-class
counties.
Assessors alone. in ai the counties.
would obtain SlS.0o0 more than Jus
tlce and fairness would give them
in first-ciass counties s. cod IL pro
Nidrd for treasurer. while O. o. we'll
known that iu four of the six coun-
ties this GLASS the work Is prnctic
ally entirely done hv deputies who
receive from 81 goo to 81 000 lenyinR
net sum Go the treasurer of from
f2.0OO 90 t2.S00 for hearing the hon-
or conferred hy the people.
Sherlffs in flrEt-class counties
would receive So. 500 salary. IN sec-
und-class counties $4,000 and IN
! third-class counties $4,000.
Under the head OF lailer third
class counties are allowed only $500
which is not sufficient 10 employ a
man who can be considered safe for
handling prisoners. and az the same
time $500 h provided To pay n deputy
district clerk ia each of these coun-
ties, when it ~ a well known fact
that except during terms Of the dis
trict court, there is very little work
10 be- done
The county officers are presumed
90 give their entire time go the per.
4 formunee OF the duties al their nffia
Co.'s and in counties where compe
! tent man BE- unable to perform an th'
Duties uf mis- office. provision should
%. made for deputies whose rompen
sation should he distinct ana separ-
ate from that of the county Officers
I believe this bin ls wrong IN prin-
1 oiplc and unfair IN the details as they
have been worked out. a net salary
should ho provided. so far as prnc-
| tloahlc. for an county Officers. and
compensation ln each case should M
I commensurate with the services 10 bS
I porfoTmed.
/ Respectfully.
WM e.. MCDONALD.
Governor