The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1926-04-16
AN IMPORTANT MATTER

At the general election next fall, the voters of
Gallatin county will select a man for the office
of county attorney, and in that connection it is
not too early to direct attention to a nOn-political
problem that is of vital Importance.
The salary of the county attorney, under Gal
latin's present rating, is S166.66 a month, one
half of which is paid by the state. No assistant
is provided, and the impression seems to prevail
that none is necessary.
Such an impression, however, is erroneous. An
assistant to the county attorney is not only need
ed, but virtually indispensable. Without one, that
official is compelled personally to attend to a
vast amount of routine work which d~eprives him
of any opportunity to supplement his meager
salary by engaging in private practice. Indeed,
these minor duties are so numerous that he can
scarcely find the time to discharge them all, and
they often encroach seriously upon more impor-
tant matters.
Few persons have more than a hazy idea of the
scope of the work of the county attorney. His
appearances in court are only a part Of his activi-
ties-and the smaller part. Out of court he at
tends to a multitude Of duties, some of great
moment, the majority Of a minor nature, but
none of which can be neglected. He is the Iegal.
advisor of all county officials, and they call upon
him constantly. He spends the better part Of
two days each week with the county commits
siOners, going over various phases Of county af-
fairs. In addition he receives, considers, and dis
poses of a myriad of petty chicks" complaints,
criticisms, and suggestions filed by citizens in
every walk of life. Personal interviews alone
average from 20 to Is a day. It can easily be
seen that the county attorney, without an assis-
tant, has a fulI-time job.
Tho iDcurobnuF Mr. r. a poforqOn hoe qfruU-
gled with all these difficulties in a creditable
manner. We are not casting any reflections upon
his ability or his administration of the office
when we present these arguments to show that
the Importance of the work demands more favor
able consideration of its needs.
The county attorney is one official who should
have the best technical training, the keenest mind,
and the most experience. To him is entrusted
the legal business of the county, going concern,
with 1900 stockholders, that receives and dis
burses about three-quarters of a million dollars
annually. He also bears the burden of coping
with violations of law and the responsibility Of
handling matters affecting public morals and civic
welfare.
When the time comes to elect a county attorney,
what kind of legal talent-from the standpoint
of training, ability, and experimental be seek.
ing, OF CdIl UG IuuuCSu 10 SSChJ GnG O114CS! OdL
any lawyer who has spent years of time and
several thousands of dollars to prepare and equiv
himself and whose income from private practice
undoubtedly exceeds $4,000 a year, afford to TAX;
a full-time job that pays only $166.66 a month
No matter how pubIic-spirited he may be, it i
obvious that he cannot. The county has no right
to demand such a sacrifice.
And yet the county needs, and should have, tn
best Of legal service. The nearest approach to
solution of this problem-a problem that is no
political, but economic-seems to lie with tn
county commissioners, who have authority to pro
vide an assistant to the county attorney. TIL
cost would be reasonable. The assistant need no
be a lawyer of long experience and outstanding
ability, but he must be of sufficient csliber t
handle all minor matters, thus enabling his chic
to devote part of his time to private practice
Only by such an arrangement can an attOrne'
of the proper qualifications be induced, or afford
to serve Gallatin as its legal representative.
For the best interests Of Galatin county, "
believe the board Of commissioners should author
re the employment Of an assistant county at
torney. The getting along" without such a
official may be an economy, but when all the fact
are considered it resembles what the old timer
characterized as "skinning a flint to save q cen
and spelling a jack knife worth a shilling"