The Bismarck tribune., 1933-01-10
WOULD CUT OUT JOB
Steele, N. D..
Jan. 3, 1888.

Editor, Tribune:
The writer feels he must either
reply to the answer Of Mr.. George ].
Brown. under date Of Dec. Is, 1882, or
admit by his silence that he Is mis-
taken. MIR. Brown says that the
board Of administration has the fix
ing Of his salary at not to exceed
$500 per annum, but he does not
say that he Is not getting $2.l00 per
annum, and We doubt II he would,
for such Is the case. Then, next, the
gentleman says that we should not
make the statement again that he
gets $l2,500 expenses for the year"
but II figures do not lie, then. II our
books on session laws are correct, we
will again have to take issue with
the gentleman.
In 1929 there was appropriated for
that office for salary and expenses
the sum Of $29,541.0l. Now, after de-
Quoting his salary of 1880 from that
sum, we find that we have left for
expense money for the biennium Pc
riod the sum Of $24.74l.9l, or the
sum OF $l2,370.0S per year for ex-
penses: and II that isn't more thar,
81, 900 per month, then, as we said
before, we are wrong.
Mr.. Brown opens his statement
with his expense account while TAX
ing three men ct one time to their
destinations, and he says "that It
cost the taxpayers Of this state $S3.2l
for the way he did It. as compared
to the sum Of $ll6.l0 II done by the
sheriffs Of the different counties as
was done before his office was ere.
ated": and he goes farther and says
that the taxpayers were saved the
sum Of $4,000 for the first year we
had . transportation officer, as COM
pared to the old way Of handling the
matter'-or words to that effect. We
want TO challenge that statement
and say that Mr.. Brown or no one
else can say just how much cheaper
the work was done that year. as COM
pared to the old way.
Mr.. Brown seems to overlook the
fact that ell sheriffs Of this state get
their salary regardless Of whether or
not they are busy: and that II he
could possibly do the work . little
cheaper - to mileage and other ex-
penses, that while he Is 20 engaged
We have . sheriff or two on . salary
doing nothing. when they could Just
q well be ct this Job.
We said to begin with-and We
herein reiterate the same-that this
Job, when created, was for the ex-
press purpose Of rewarding some nice
tat political wire-puller for services
rendered, and that We had no use for
him. We asked then, and We do now.
whether or not any petition was ever
circulated among the taxpayers for
the signatures, and then presented 70
the legislators, requesting them ia
create this office? II not, then why
not? We believe In catse and effect.
We look for cause behind each effect
and In this ease there was some pres
sure brought to bear on our repre-
sentatives that caused them to create
this office and We believe that, a
said before. It was Q kind OF q reward
Of political merit. We want to say
in conclusion that We have nothing
against Mr.. Brown personally. He
may be the best man for this position
that It would be possible to get, and
II this position Is to continue VI
would just as soon see him occupy
ing 1t as anyone else: but It Is oul
contention that the office should b
abolished. The sooner We can gel
back to just paying them whom w
cannot get along without, the sooner
our taxes viii come down.
Il We are to have Ill Of the extra
help that has been fotsted upon u
In the last 20 years, We win have
to pay for It, and there q no way
that ! can see whereby we can 70.
duce taxes without taking Z greater
burden upon ourselves.
Yours truly,
]. N. McCARTER.
WOULD TEACH THRIFT
Bismarck, n. D.,
January s. le32
Editor, Tribune:
Much Of the distress and suffering
experienced today throughout TIL
length and breadth Of our land y thl
result Of waste end extravagance dur.
Ing years Of plenty and prosperity.
Food. clothing and shelter are fun.
damentally essential and must TAX
precedence over music. pictures al1t
automobiles, however desirable theel
i - ANaAuM~ saA~ - AenaH