Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1848-02-19
For The IVisconsia Herald.

over the signature Of g B. f. O." which
letters if transposed, answer the initials of a
gentleman of the county-and make the
communication of sufficient importance to
give an answer thereto in explanation Of the
last statement Of the fiscal affairs of Grant
county. The subscriber feels at all times
ready to explain any matters concerning the
county expenditures under his supervision,
but does not feel bound to answer every
anonymous guerrist who, from vanity or
other cause, may seek to FIJI the public
print.
If there be any mystery in the official
statement of the fiscal affairs of Grant coun-
ty, it was unintentional, and the Board did
not seek to use verbiage to conceal facts
The statement by the present Board is in
conformity to previous practice. If thought
more satisfactory, tie Board would have no
objection to publish the entire records of the
order book, except the useless expenses of
publication. The mystery firsrcomplained
of, is in regard to pauper expenses-first
item of which is s79l So.
This item is shown to be for expenses in
CURED for support of paupers prior to their
removal to the county poor house, and I'M
der the direction of the several precinct
Overseers of the poor, appointed according
to law to afford speedy relief 70 the poor.
The precinct overseers Of the poor, have
the confidence of the community as well as
the Board who appoints them. 1t would be
useless to show the exact amount expended
in each precinct, and will only mention
one precinct-Hazel Green--the overseer
Of which afforded relief to the amount Of
$500 to the poor therein, some of whom
could not be removed to the poor house
without endangering their lives, and others
who by partial support were kept with their
families from becoming entirely dependant
upon the county for support
Explanation second, of the item of
81 ,s66 A.
This sum includes pay of physicians, and
salary of superintendent, amounting to over
5000; also pay of hired laborers on the
poor farm, over the sum OF $500 leaving
some $500 expended for the board and
clothing of the poor, during the year, at the
poor house.
The number of paupers, received at the
poor house within the year, is about forty,
and the expenditures for their entire sup
port, is less than an average of S25 per
head
Third item referred to by Sc b. F.. Co.
Improvement at poor farm. Herein is in
cluded over $500 paid for building barn and
granary, also balance due the builder of
the poor house of over 500, for work con-
tracted for in 1916, bur not falling due ill
1917. Add to these the costs of stock pur-
chased for farm, such as horses, oxen, cows,
hogs, and agricultural implements-furni-
ture for the house, and $500 for breaking
and fencing done on the farm, and the
amount, though large, is not beyond the
wants of the poor farm.
Fourth item; expenses of Board of Com
missioners and Clerk.
This item includes the pay of the present
Board up to the close of the January ses-
sion, ls4s, being the expenses for the Board
and Clerk for near one-fourth of the present
year.
Another item; salary of District Attor-
ney.
The payments were made pursuant to
special contract for services of District At
torney within this county, at 5000 per year,
sum less than that paid by any county of
equal population in the Territory. The
pay of 500 to Nj. NJ. Jackson, was made
upon an allowance and taxation 10y Judge
Dunn, who was fully acquainted with the
value and amount of service rendered, and
'B. T.. c." is referred TO the Judge for
further explanation.
The item of stationery includes the price
of record, hooks, and other stationeries for
the Register, Judge of Probate, District
Court, Board of Commissioners, and several
other officers, and is thought small allow
ance.
The costs of county printing are but the
usual rates allowed by law, aud all bills
therefor have been rightly examined.
As to the expenditures for the Platte river
embankment, the public are referred to the
superintendent of thar work for eSplana-
ton.