County Officials Take Voluntary Pay Cuts to Weather Hard Times

With business stagnant and fees falling off, County Auditor Beman and County Clerk Gordon have each made voluntary reductions in their office expenses, a move that will save the county a material sum. County Commissioner Heaton, a Populist, has been pushing for a reduction in the county treasurer's office as well.

Beman wrote to the commissioners: 'In view of the present stagnation of business and the consequent falling off in fees, I think that I ought for the present to dispense with the services of one employe. The decrease in receipts does not represent as great a decrease in the work to be performed as might be supposed, but I feel that we should bear part of the burden of the hard times, and therefore propose to give in succession employes, including the undersigned, a two weeks' vacation without pay, commencing with the first of May.'

The plan would save $325.83 over the five and one-half months ending October 31, 1895. Clerk Gordon wrote that after the 15th of the month he believed he could reduce his pay roll by $75 per month.

The cut in the auditor's office is headed by Beman himself, who takes the largest reduction. The auditor's office had already undergone a reduction of $75 a month when Beman took charge, bringing the total decrease to nearly $100 a month. Sheriff Van de Vanter has also quietly reduced his office expenses, with May costs estimated at $600.

Commissioner Heaton praised Beman and Gordon, but criticized the treasurer for not following suit. 'The one thing I most regret is that the treasurer permitted these two gentlemen, as well as the sheriff, to steal this march upon him,' Heaton said. 'In the latter part of last month I suggested to the treasury department that if they were sincere in their cries for reform they should come before the board and of their own volition offer to accept lower salaries than they are now receiving. But they would not listen to me. Now that the Republicans have set the example, they have the opportunity to follow, but if they do not do so I shall feel it incumbent upon my part, and in accordance with the promises I made to my people, to proceed by motion to reduce the expenses of that department.'

Heaton also noted that the treasurer's office was costing taxpayers over $4 a day more than under Dr. Mitten, at a time when Mitten was collecting more than three times as much tax.