The Semi-weekly leader. (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1905-1941, 1922-02-01

IhlS is very important, matter,
gentlemen" said President Smith, after
hammering the desk for order at the
beginning of the deliberations, possibly
the most important question which, we
shall have to decide this session, and I
must insist that the senators maintain
order and listen to the reading Of the
bill and the substitutes with great care
The sergeant-of-arms will see that or
der is maintained"
9"This is the most important legisla-
tive question thatgwe have got to de-
eide this year." asserted Senator Cohn
five hours later, in making his testing
motion. "and I think we should find
out what the sentiment of the Senate
is on the present law. make my mo-
tion as test of this sentiment"
In accord with special order, the
Senate resolved itself into committee
Of the whole at 1925 to thresh out the
proposition of whether counties should
be returned to the fee system for COM
pensation of sheriffs and tax collectors
chancery clerks, circuit clerks, and tax
assessogs. or should abide by the pres
ent salary basis with possible reduce
tions. Senator Nixon. chairman of the
fees and salaries committee, took the
floor. Senator Nixon offered substi-
stute for the committees substitute, his
bill providing for a continuance of the
salary system and fixing compensation
of all county officers at figures Is to
20 per cent lower than those now in
effect.
The Nixon bill provided that the SAL
- 10 Are
class counties having an assessed pro-
perty valuation of $1S,OoO.000 or over,
should be fixed as follows:- Sheriffs and
tax collectors, $4.25O; chancery clerks.
$4,250; circuit clerks, $4,000; superin-
tendents of education, $250O; treasurers
$4O0; supervisors IS per day of actual
service, the total not to exceed $1,000;
assessors. $4,000 in years of return of
both personal and real property and $S,-
500 in years of the personal return a.
lone.
In each of the other four classes, the
salaries of sheriffs and chancery clerks
decreased by $500 for each lower grade
circuit clerk and superintendent of ed
ucation dropped about $3.50 for each
grade; treasurers received the same in
all grades; and assessors dropped $500
for each grade - by the Mixon bill.
Senator Nixon explained his bill and
position. He spoke of the popular de-
mand for return to the fee system
when the legislature had assembled in
Jackson four weeks ago, and asserted
that he believed as Senator Shields had
stated that If properly investigated the
salary system would show a saving to
the state. He submitted the reports
which had come in from the chancery
clerks in response to the resolution a.
dopted eight days earlier by the Senate
and declared that "a counties heard
from showed a net gain to the state OF
$4,000. He stated that some of~the
county reports showed small loss, but
that most of these could be proved tc
be erroneous because Of misunderstand-
ing on the part Of the official making
| the report.
''The present salary law was passed
when the country was in a period Of
imitation" Senator Nixon continued. III
was passed largely as an experiment
and when, moreover, wages and pay OF
every kind were high and money plenti'
full. Yet in spite of the high rate al
which wehxed the salaries in those cir.
cumstances the reports received from
all over the state indicate that there
has been anFactual saving; and the
counties have received more efficient
service. too.
What ever the action Of the Senate
shall be on this question, want it tC
be made part Of the permanent re
\ cord want the record to show thai
we have tried to take an intelligent ac
tion; to show this statement from ths
counties; yes. gentlemen. to show thai
the legislature is not bunch of idiots
nor the county officers q bunch Of
grafters.s
Senator Nixon was interrogated by
others relative to the facts covered II
his statement.
Il want to suggest something bet
terri Senator Noel interrupted,
'Better-in your own opinion!" re
piled Senator Nixon.
Senator Noel spoke Of the 100 pei
cent demand OF the citizens Of his
county (T1oImas) for repeal Of the pres
ent salary law. He insisted that his
constituents were crushed by the burder
created By the county officers compen
sation act. senator Nixon referred ts
his statistical report
Holmes county he said shows Z
loss Of $500. can take the hgurei
here. which the chancery clerk has fur.
nished, and prove to anyone who un'
derstands the situation that the actual
gain was $1,000.