Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1929-03-15
TEXAS DAILY PRESS LEAGUE
Foreign Advertising REPRESENTATIVES
Commissioner Salaries

The action of Governor Moody in vetoing the
measures designed to increase the salaries of county
commissioners and county judges in counties having
certain specified valuations is the subject of consider
able criticism among those who believe that public
office should carry q salary commensurate with the
duties and responsibilities imposed.
Cameron was one of the six counties which would
have been affected by the measures the governor re-
fusd to endorse. 1t is safe to say the measures had
the approval Of practically every resident of the
county. They likewise had the almost unanimous APP
proval Of the state senate and passed the house with
practically no opposition. The legislature took the
view that the bills affected only a few localities, and
that as they had the endorsement Of the representa-
tives of such localities they should not be opposed.
The governors veto was not applied in the inter-
est of state economy. No state funds would be re-
CURED to pay the salary increases to which those
public officials are entitled. The salary would be
paid from county funds only.
That the salaries of the Cameron county commits
sioners, who receive 5000 per month, and the county
judge. who receives approximately S3,7O0 annual, are
not commensurate with the duties they are called
upon to perform. is apparent. Each of the county
commissioners devotes practically full time to his
duties, and the county judge likewise has no time for
other work which might increase his individual earn
ing power.
Cameron county is in the midst of a $4,000, 900
highway program; the county has a ~s1,500,O00 flood
control program nearly completed. The success Of
these programs has been due, very largely, to the eff
ficiency with which the commissioners court has
functioned. Cameron county's commissioners, like
Mark Twain's laborer, are externally on the job" In
each precinct they are supervising construction Of
paved highways, dirt roads, concrete bridges, levees,
drainage and performing a multitude Of other duties.
Their efforts have been directed toward development
of the county; toward increasing the wealth produc-
ton of the farms; In expanding the countys agricul-
tura1 and industrial resources. They never have
shirked, and the records Of Cameron county progress
bear witness to the fact that they have given service
that would warrant a far greater salary increase than
the $50 per month provided in the measure vetoed by
the governor.
Efficiency in government is the objective OF every
democracy, but that efficiency cannot be attained and
maintained if salaries are not maintained upon a
basis that assures fair compensation for the duties
and responsibilities assumed. no S45,000,000 private
corporation would expect its directors to assume such
responsibilities and duties for a salary Of 5000 per
month, and that is what Cameron county is paying
its commissioners who are compelled, in order to
properly discharge their duties, to devote their entire
time to county affairs.
Governor Moody has indicated the bill will be re-
introduced at the special session. In justice to the
commissioners courts Of such counties as Cameron it
should be re-introduced and submitted for the COVER
nor's signature with a record of a unanimous vote in
both houses.