Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1914-10-22

Ab0ut the Appointment Of An AS
slstant County Attorney

have heard no complaint Of my
administration OF the affairs Of the
county attefney's office and the on
lly argument offered by my oppon-
ents against my reelection for the
usual second term is that appoint
ed my law partner. @. w. Hurd, as
sistant county attorney.
Here are the facts concerning the
matter: / was elected county attor-
ney in November, 1912, and entered
upon the discharge OF the duties OF
the office in January, 1918.
Afterwards the legislature OF
1913 passed an act making every
county attorney Divorce Proctor"
and requiring him to investigate
the charges in every divorce case
and prepare to advise the court
upon the hearing as to the merits
OF the case.
The act further provides that
neither the county attorney nor his
law partner shall accept employ
ment or receive any fee from either
party to q divorce case; thus de-
priying him and his firm OF what
IA considered q legitimate source OF
income.
Tho same legislature passed an
act requiring the county attorney to
examine all claims presented to the
county commissioners for allowance
and to give his opinion as TO the
liability of the county therefor;
thus virtually adding to his previous
duties those of county auditor ana
materially increasing the duties ana
RESPONSIBILITIES of the office.
Afterwards, on March II, 1913
as compensation for these extra du-
ties. the same legislature passed an
other act, which did not take effect
until July 1, 1918, creating the Of
flee of assistant county attorney in
dickinson county and all other coun-
ties having two or more cities oil
the second class, at salary OF
$4,000 a year.
This law was supported by Doth
the senator g. w. Howe, Democra)
and the representative IL. P. Houtz'
Democracy from Dickinson county
and was evidently considered a just
measure. / had nothing to do with
the passage of this law and did not
!, know of It's existence until the
, statute book was published.
In July, 1913, j accepted the
, benefits of the new law, as did ev'
: cry other county attorney in the
! state to whom the act applied, and
appointed an assistant. The Law
+, also allowed me to appoint a stem
: ographer at a salary of 5000 veal
! but this / did not do.
| believe there is no criticism Of
! to the character or ability of my
! appointee. In the last 30 days 1T
a has. because of his years of lega
! experience, saved the county th'
! sum OF $4,000, something / doubt i
, Ii or either of my opponents coul'
have done in this specific instance
1t is, however, claimed that M
appointment should have been mad
and on this ground alone, my com
petitors are asking for votes.
The salaries of all county OH
GERS are paid out OF the genera
fund" and call your attention 7
. the fact that no increased levy TO
. that fund has been found necessar.
= on account of the salary of the as
. sistant county attorney, or for an
n other reason, since my election.
n Was / not justified in appointing
n an assistant? Would not you hav
d done SO under the circumstances?
n have never heard Of public OF
d ficer, from the president of tn
= United States down, refusing to &C
9 cept an increase Of salary when au
Z thorized by legislative enactment
= and when such increase is on &C
& count of additional services requiI
Z ed. and is commensurate with tn
9 increased duties imposed, Their
= seems to be no just cause for Ger
& sure.
. respectfully solicit and conf
9 IDENTIFY expect the support of the IA
minded and intelligent voters
4 the county.