The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-03-28
GOVERNOR SIGNS
FEE REFORM BILL
First Statute Ever Put on Books
in Virginia to Limit Amounts
Paid to Officers.
'CARRIES LOCAL AMENDMENT
New Law Does Not Take Effect
i'll Richmond Until End Of
Present Terms.
CARRIES LOCAL AMENDMENT

governor stuart Yesterday signed the
west fee reform bill, the first statute
ever put on the books in Virginia Mac
ing limit ON the amounts fec Off
GERS may receive for their services. or
providing for any method by which
INC tsNpaTers might learn what the
officials get. The bill was :, coinpro-
misc measure, and comes very far from
meeting Tie wishes OF those advocating
ice reform. The limit has been set
50 hiSh that comparatively few OIL
GERS Will be affected. tho chief value
in the bill rs PASSED being in the pro-
vision Tor publicity.
Amendments secured IS tho Rich
mond delegation provide that city
Treasurer james T.. Pace may receive
$3.50 per year ana that the bill Will
not take effect as TO officials in this
city until the end of tho terms for
which they have been elected. As the
court clerks have recently been re-
elected for cieht-ycar terms. and other
Zee officers elected last year for four
year terms, which they have just be
gun 10 serve, IL Will be seen that save
FOR the feature requiring report or
their receipts from the public. the bill
Will have no Immediate effect. The
bill provides 4 maximum allowance for
fec ofIicsts from $500 in cities having
n population of 10000 or moro down 10
$4,000. Fecr over and above the maxi
mum are TO revert to the treasury.
Requires Complete Reports.
Tho meat OF the bill Is in section 8.
which requires all fee officers annual
~ within fifteen days after the close
OF each anniversary OF the beginning
of the terms OF their respective Offices
to file with the Auditor OF Public &c
counts a fun and accurate statement,
showing all such fees. allowances
commissions and salaries collected. and
a like statement of such fees. salaries
commissions and allowances charge
able, but not collected.
Statements filed with tho Auditor OF
Public Accounts under the act are TO
be referred to Il special commission,
consisting of the Governor, Auditor OF
Public Accounts ana state Accountant
who shall serve on the commission
without compensation. Il IS the duty
OF this commission 10 study the state
ments and compare them, and TO re-
port TO the next session of the Gen
eral Assembly whether such offices
are economically administered. what
compensation SHOULD thereafter he
paid. and how many deputies or as
dstants, If any, are necessary TO the
efficient performance of the duties of
said officers. and what compensation
should be allowed such deputies and
what allowance should be made for
expenses. An amendment provides
that the act, in SO far as it refers to
maximum allowa noes to fee officers.
shall not take effect until January,
!, 1916.
Wanted Information.
Two years ago the Senate attempted
by resolution to secure information as
10 the amounts drawn from the public
ny zee officers. 1t was ignored BY
some officers and construed literally by
others, who reported the amount of
their court fees, but omitted to make
mention OF salaries, commissions,
incense fees. and other allowances not
distinctly connected with their actual
attendance on the court or their SER
vice in serving as clerk Of ahe court
while in session. There was discrim-
nation between fees paid by TIE pub
nc ana commissions on allowances
from public funds Under that reso-
luton. Clerk Waddill. of Henrico