The Harrison times., 1917-02-24
PEOPLES FORUM.
neIlefonte. Ark. Feb. 90. IgIL

Belleionte Ark, Feb, 20. 1871
Editor Times
notice from your paper that Lon
Graham has resigned the office OF
sheriff and that John T. Burns was
appointed by Governor Brouch to fill
the vacancy ! notice further your
comment upon it, which looks like a
criticism of the people, as we'll as our
representative, Mr.. Porter or any one
else who is not in favor of raising
salaries of our county officers to meet
your views of what they should be.
Upon this question people differ.
Mr.. Graham made a good sheriff.
and as one of his supporters | regret
that circumstances were such that he
thought it was best for him to resign.
| am sure his friends, who are ac-
quainted with the circumstances, will
not blame him. He owns good farm
and has boys to work it who need his
! help and supervision to make the farm
profitable; and what will perhaps be
worth more to the boys to each them
| to do the work in the right way. This
consideration alone is sufficient to in
fluenCe him to give up the office, al
though the net earnings on the farm
might be less than the emoluments of
the office.
No one should be asked to make
sacrifices to hold an office; though
perhaps some do, but it is not neces.
sary for good men are waiting and
would gladly take the place of those
to whom it become burdensome. These
are the men who usually make the
best officers; rather than those who
are constantly demanding more money
and especially are they to be watched
when they try to get it over the oh.
lection of the people, showing that
the money is what they are after.
Mr.. Burns will make a good sheriff,
He was glad to get the appointment.
Some of his friends would resent the
Emplied insinuation, that the office has
suffered by the change-such may not
have be, n intended1-Jaait it is the logi-
cal conclusion from the argr uieh'
offered.
Right here | want to state that the
sheriff gets fees and not a salary.
Sometimes it is rather hard earned
money but the wrong is in taking the
tax collecting away from him and ere
ating another office which only gives
employment to other parties for about
half the year The sheriff and one
good deputy can do the work required
of sheriff and collector and they
should be again united; but it seems
that some would keep them separate
and the salaries raised to pay four
men to do the work of two.
The salaries now are far above the
average earnings of the great majority
whose votes put these people in Of
flee. Are they because they are ia.
vored and honored, to get their hands
down deeper and deeper in the pocket
of the people?
These people are groaning under the
heavy load of taxation and often high
rates of interest-whO are trying to
make an honest living and are fairing
but "middling" as their taxes mount
higher.
Who blames them for wanting re-
form? The place to begin is at home
If all will do this the reform is ac-
Complished.
Why blame our representative for
listening to these people? If it were
possible for these increases to still be
made and everybody get an office and
each have to pay his own salary,
imagine you would hear a different
song.
feel that | speak for the majority
Give us a hearing. We are not beg.
gars but want only Justice.
k. f. CANTRELL.