Plentywood herald., 1932-02-18
SHERIDAN COUNTY
RECONSTRUCTION
tan Editorial)
Continued from last week.

seems questionable, but deep, dowr
underneath the surface, underneath
some of this so-ca1le1 'radicalism'
tno. we will find it, perhaps some
what distorted and mislead, but nev-
ertheIess it is there, beating with a
heart that is honest and true. Among
the several communities in this coun-
~ there are groups that have given
thought and expression to our prob
lens. 1t may be said that they repre-
sent an awakened" citizenry; they
are taking notice, and BEGINNING
to THINK To them, as well as to
the politicians and others scouting
around for public thought, the fol-
lowing suggestions might be of val
ne and worthy of serious considera-
tion. as part Of a RE-CONSTRUC-
TI0N PROGRAM.
We now have a law enabling US
to adopt the so-called COUNTY
MANAGER form Of government
This has been hailed as one of the
most effective means of economy and
efficiency 1t provides Manager,
appointed by the county commission
ers. to take over the duties now per-
formed by the assessor, clerk and re
eorder- treasurer and surveyor. He
has charge Of all the deputies and
clerks, including that of the other
elective offices, power to hire or fire
and fix salaries of same. At the OPP
tion of the board he also may have
charge of all road work ard expendi-
lures One of our officials confident
" states that under this system a
saylnF. Of eyer. 5000 year in the
operation of offices themselves could
De made, besides a possible greater
saving through the control Of other
departments.
In order to secure a vote on this
proposition q petition signed by at
least 20 percent OF the voters must
De filed with the Board, and at either
special or regular election the ques-
ti0n will be submitted To become eff
fective at the end of the year this
must be voted on not later than at
cur Primary IN July, otherwise there
will be two years more, at least to
wait This proposition is worth get
ting immediate action on.
Consolidation of Counties is also
talked of and considerable economy
IS anticipated reioining again in lar
ger groups 1t has been suggested
. that Daniels and the east half OF
Roosevelt counties be consolidated
with Sheridan, forming compact,
easily handled unit, and one with
sirnilar conditions and properties
Arguments are made also as to whv
cant we all join together again as
we were as Valley County. This
latter proposition does not seem fea.
s5ble principally because of the ma
tural division which exists. But the
former possibility, joining with Dan
ieis and part of Roosevelt would
work out better.
In an enlarged county we woult
eliminate at least one county seat
(which may not be so easy TO say)
and few officials. The number o1
clerks would likely be the same in
order to take care of the added
work The classification of the coun-
! ty would be raised which would also
raise the salaries of certain of the
officials. with also an increase in
mileage travelled Possibly three OF
four more commissioners would bt
F; elected to represent the added terri
tory The school taxes and the road
problem would not change much Il
any, and these together with tht
debt payments and interest, consti.
tute the main back-breaking load o1
the taxpayer With deeper stud,
Of this proposition there may b
| possibilities worth trying.
| We cannot hope to build or recon
struct anything until we have cui
our expenses down to where tlpert
will be little left over with which
to do that work.
| Business places and farmers have
. been forced to cut and cut, and tc
get more out OF what they do spend
IN order to even keep alive, but ii
is notable fact that our govern
mental functions have not done this
at least in regard to salaries. The
salaries seem to be a thing holy and
sacred not to be touched nor men
toned Yet under our present sys-
tenn of taxation we farmers and tax
payers are forced to pay these high
powered salaries whether we get
anyt hing or not. 1t is a queer situa-
tirn, sad commentary on our civ
iIivation and our socalled intelli-
gent government that farmer and
taxpayer is compelled to support 9th
ers in ample and luxurious liveli-
hood when he himself must appeal
to the Red Cross and other chari-
tably inclined organizations and ever
| to ask the government itself for heir