Democratic Sentinel, Volume 5, Number 27, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 August 1881 — THE NEW LAWS. [ARTICLE]

THE NEW LAWS.

Latest reports concerning the Pi esident are not favorable.

IJUb iIX4 *W mmmm. The Post has said little or DOtlilng as vet concerning the made iu tne old or the enactment of new laws by the late Republican Legislature. We delayed comment upon these matters, for the reasons that nothing mat lial is thoroughly ut-(lc-rstood, or its good qualities thoroughly appreciated until it has undergone the test. Already part of these changes have been enforced and t ‘id results are seen, while other new departures are to stand the tost that public scrutiny will naturally putthecn to. We do not in this article intend expressing an opinion, either pro or coii, but will simply present a few iiicits and figures that have recently come under our observation. Xu the first place, the list of ques turns to be answered by the applicant for the admittance of an insane person to the asylum, was thereby necessitating a new Insane lie cord and new blanks for eveiy county clerk in the State. These were purchased and the old records and blanks became useless. The new records cost sls 00 each. Ihe old blanks and records were worth at least $lO 00. Extra expenses to each county $25.00; to the state $2,300.00. The change in the ditch law, requiv ing all petitions to be presented be fore the Circuit Judge, imposes an extra expense on each county of at least SSO 00, three new valuablo records being needed. There being 92 counties iu this State, the whole ex-, pense will aggregate $4.600 00. Besides this, two Drainage Commissioners are now acting in every county in the State at a salary of $3.00 per day for each day engaged. What this will amount to in a year, is a question upon which our readers may exercise their own judgment and make their own calculations. It will be no insignificant sum. Then we have the Jury Commissioners, a departure which appears to embrace more red tape than economy, more system than usefulness, and undoubtedly is more expensive than the old manner of choosing juries. These two oi'fii i lls meet four times a year on a $3 per diem salary to manipulate the jury box. This little deviation will cost the State at least another $5,000. Next the Board of Equalization has open increased by four extra mem" bersat a salary of $2,50 each for every day’s service, making an extra cost of SIO.OO for each day or $30.00 for the session in this county while in other counties it may amount to hundreds of dollars. The above are a few facts presented simply for the consideration of every man who is interested in the economy of State expenses and State laws. Most of tnese laws and changes were made during the extra session,- while the State was paying out $2,000 a day to sustain the law-mak-ers. The dog law and eleven pound sorghum law are yet to come.—Columbia City Post.