Letter from James W. Paxman, 21 May 1895
Nephi City, Utah, . 189
President Wilford Woodruff
Salt Lake City, Utah.
Dear Brother:
For some time past I have been drawing through
the Nephi Tithing Office the sum of $200.00 annually, the same being an
appropriation made by you, as I understand it, to all Councillors in the
Stake Presidency, the Presidents receiving the sum of $400.00 annually.
I desire to state that for the past few years it has been a question
in my mind whether or not I am justified in receiving this amount from
the Church, because the time devoted to the duties of my calling is so
very meagrel in comparison to the time devoted by other officers in the
Church who receive no compensation for the time spent. Again; it has be
been reported to me recently that there is some complaint by certain
members of the Church to my receiving any salary from the Church. How
extensive this complaint is I do not know; but I do not want to stand in
the way of any one or be any hindrance to any one doing his full duty.
I would therefore ask that you do me the favor of cancelling the
appropriation as pertaining to me.
I would suggest, however, that our beloved President, William Paxman,
is very devoted to his duties and spends nine-tenths of his time int
the work and is thrice worthy of this amount being added to his compen-
sation. Should it meet your approvall I would be very pleased to have hi
him receive your consideration in this particular. His circumstances
are such just now that he could use it nicely. I do not write this be-
cause he would favor it, because for I think that he, personally, would pu
persuade me not to mention his name, did he know I was writing this let-
ter. If you choose not to transfer the amount to him it will be all
right with me: I merely suggest it and leave the matter with you; but I
would like it, if you would discontinue the appropriation to me.
Assuring you that this is written with the purest of motiv-
es. I remain,
Your brother in the gospel of Christ,
James W Paxman.
