Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1915-01-14

prove his salary. or fees. has been D
prolific source of yexation not only in
New Mexico but Ia an other states
The status u state officers. So Or
as salaries are concerned. IS fixed in
the constitution of the state Taking
the saiarier on state officers as b1-
sls 10 build on though many people
think our state salaries are unduly
large. We NAV Dee ahl. no estimate
what ought a. De- Fair ana 3ust fo~
county officers The only state off,
eefs drawing more than S2.00 per an
num arr the judges. attorney general
a1d governor. and maintain that or
diuauiy and considering compensation
land advantages together. s. 060 for
10 county officer b as good as &3.eg9
Tor q siate officer.
a state officer gives up his home.
his buanesk sewers his local connec-
tons and moves To the state capita.
imeurrng several things besides hon
or and emoiuments II IS very sell
dom that a county officer who had q
regular paying business prior To mis-
election. anandons lf or permits his
official duties e. interfere detrincnt-
ally with that business.
There l. a principle involved and At
issae. and that IS shah the people
control their own affairs. direct the
course If their servants and pay them
according 10 their Services ~ shalt
fha fact Of an election reverse the
order as we would have *. make the
servants the masters. and permit the
exigeneies 81 the occasion t. raise
false standards for our annoyance n0x
ard iH the years 20 Gomez
Bes des state salaries as p guide SOU
may obtain from other states what
experience and many years az uncels-
ing effort have resulted in from the
knowledge gained and wisdom applied
FOR tie settlement ~ the question of
compensation Tor county Officers. ana
ln addition sou have ihe value OF the
services in bushes requiring similar
qualifications. 81 We'll trained mcu
working longer hours and with more
restrictions.
il has always been by opinion that
good services should be wen paid
whether public or private. according
90 the hazard ana responsibility III
fisEs incurred b. most Officials ara
nei serious and the possibility resi=
lightly ou some. ~ private WORK tha
term IS generally Indefinite ana us-
uaiir depends on ability nnd apnlesi-
ton fer the wori, Go hand The OFF
rial mis- fixed term without mucn
Interference or regulation from ANY
one ordinarily.
Campaign Expenses.
il has been urged that campaign ev-
penses have been or may be oonsid-
cradle. which makes il desirable that
good salaries. unfair 10 the taxpayer.
be provided To- reimburse those Whose
contributions may have been used -
corrupt the voter with the couse-
guent disgrace that might follow IN
isrediting the state and ourselves
large uHustirabIe salaries may mean
rat campaign contributions for any
and an parties and is prime ob5ec-
ton 60 the taxpayer Ii means cor
rupting and pervertng the source II
power 10 those who would defcud and
protect
believe in salaries fair and reason
able both b. the official and the tax
payer such salaries should be fixel
sad definite. eliminating entirely any
lump sum 10 be used. or not used. at
The discretion Of The official. for en-
Dioying deputies The pay Of depu-
ties should be fixed and definite. so
rs To put it beyond the reach Of off .
,ial employers who would sometimes +
take advantage Of a capable uufor-
Innate 10 strengthen his hold upon the
'redulity of thu people and fiU his
pockets through another's services.
Il seems 10 me that il was q mis- 4
AXE 90 have the sheriff paid by SAL +
iry that may be unfair 10 some ana
'Xorhitant to others The fee system
would. Ia my opinion. DE- more salts
factory and beneficial Therefore. .
hink that liberal maximum salaries 4
mould be provided for sheriffs 10 de-
lcnd N some way on the fees earned .
iy such officers after paying for an
deputy hire.
There ought TO be not 80 much diff
icultr In agreeing on salaries for
Jerks, provided pay for deputies in
.ach office be made to depend on
ees earned by the office. In this way
he classification OF counties does not
make 50 much difference. as eacn
Jerk viii he enabled 20 obtain proper
assistance for doing the work that
ONES To his office
Is not ten dollars per day for each
.ay OF time CONSUMED. with necessary
expenses. reasonable for county com-
nissioners. estimating fairly the prob
Ole time Ca bee consumed in the diff
erent classes Of countless
Amend Assessment laws.
Our assessment laws should De
meuded so as To- require personal
Ssessment OF all property So far rs
Practicable after actual inspection.
The salary OF assessors should be-
air ami reasonable for the six
months during which they are really
mployed with compensation FOR dep
ty hire. and a provision for actual
e'eesa1 travelling expenses carefully
united.
The treasurer should De required 10
isit each precinct during tine months
{ June ard December fer the collec-
on of ,axes sle Nhould bee allowed
asonaby for his actuai necessary
'aNehng expenses and should have q
5lary not Too much above what Is
om paid a mank iroasurers offices
BE- "a deputy who does practically alL
be- work There arc times when the
'easurcr may need depuy and this
1ouid be provided for
The county sIpsrlntendenfs OIL