The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-06-01
MERCER REPLIES
TO JOHNSON CHARGE
sxrs. DrsArrHovrD o. Fen kr1.L
BECAUSE IT CARRIED a
~goKER..
SALARIES AND FEES
INCOME OF OFFICE WOULD NOT
MEET REaUrREMENTs OF ACT.
AND SHERIFF. THEREFORE,
FOUGHT THE MEASURE.
AND FEES

At the meeting OF the Clay Ward
Actives last night Sheriff Mercer re-
piled to the statement made by his
former deputy, Stephen Johnson, in
reference to the fee-bill which was
killed in the last legislature. Mr..
johnson had stated that Sheriff Mer-
Ger, after having expressed himself
in favor of the salary system for
sheriffs, took occasion to lobby against
the bill. after 1t had passed the lower
house, and had it killed In the senate.
Sheriff Mercer said last night that
the reason he asked his friends in the
State senate--Messrs. Hartman and
Wendenburg--to Kill the bill was be-
cause there was "joker" In the orig
inal proposition. which placed the
question exactly where 1t was in the
first place.
The bill was introduced by Dele
gate Cox, OF Richmond. 1t provided
for a salary for sheriff OF Richmond
at the sum Of $4,000, with three depu-
ties at $1,000 each.
The bill provided for this, and was
passed by the lower branch of the
legislature. But the last paragraph
obligate itself to pay this salary. UNI
less the fees more than covered what
was to have been paid the sheriff and
his deputies.
Fees OF Sheriff.
1t IL generally understood that the
fees OF the office OF sheriff do not
net the sheriff moro than $1,000 a
year. Had this bill passed tho sem
ate, as stated by Sheriff Mercer last
night, the office would have been on
the Same basis 1t is now.
That is why" said Sheriff Mercsr,
II asked both Senators Hartman and
1t. because it would not have been
any benefit to anyone"
Mr.. johnson, former deputy sheriff,
had made the statement that while
Sheriff Mercer had been quoted In
the papers as favorable to the fee
system. no had worked to have the
bill killed, which had been adopted by
the lower branch OF the Legislature.
! Il would say further said Mr..
! johnson, that when people came into
the office of the sheriff. for the pur-
pose of transacting business, he was
absent several days at a time, and his
deputies had to do the best they
could"
I'VE all make mistakes" was the
reply of the sheriff. II have made
them, and II there Is any one pres
ent who has not, let him stand up"
No one stood. although meek
voice could be heard from the crowd
of more than two hundred people,
saying that the possessor of the voice
had never made a mistake No one
cold locate the voice.
Other speakers last night were the
candidates for the various munich
pal offices,
Other Candidates Talk.
Messrs Satterfield and Griggs, can
didates for the office of city sergeant
were the first speakers. They receiv-
ed the usual applause and made the
usual remarks. Mr.. Griggs said that
! he had no record in the office, but
was ready and willing to make a
record. and promised to not only
! give his deputies good hours but
good pay. and would buy all the stuff
necessary to maintain not only the
culinary department. but other de-
| partments. from Richmond mer-
chants.
The three candidates for the office
of commissioner-Me Henry
Tresnon. the incumbent; T. p. Howie
and Fred Peasants all spoke. They
told the Clay ward voters what they
would do, and Mr.. Tresnon pointed
to hts record.
The only incident OF special mo-
ment was that injected into the can
vass by Mr.. Johnson, in which he
charged Sheriff Mercer with not hav-
ing conducted the ONCE properly. and
with having defeated the bill placing
the Office on the salary basis
Candidates Cannon, Creamer and
Montague, for the legislature, were
present but refrained from speaking,
because Of a compact among the can
didates that they would not engage In
| speechmaking during the absence
from the city OF Captain Myers and
Captain Stratton candidates.
Other speakers were Messrs. "Jack"
| Philips. Davis Bottom. City Commit
| teeman Hodges. of Fulton: Judge
Martin Williams. OF Giles county, and
Chairman Henry Farmer.
Judge Williams was introduced by
Davis Bottom. and he said that the
call was unexpected, and that when
he got a chance at Mr.. Bottom at the
capitol, he would get even with him
| The club will probably meet again
before the election.