The Council Bluffs nonpareil. [volume] (Council Bluffs [Iowa]) 1857-1867, 1859-02-05
Correspondence Official aud Semi Official.


We publish below the correspondence be-
tween the County Judge and the Committee
requested to make an examination into the
condition Of our County, and to scrutinize
the official acts of said County Judge. The
correspondents tells its own story-rcad it,
and give yourselves to serious meditation:
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa.,
Feb. 2, 1859.
Hon. JOHN SHERMAN, County Judge -
SIR: In compliance with a petition Of n
large number of the Electors and Tax pay
ers Of Pottawattamie County, we have con-
sented to act as committee, to make an ex-
animation into the condition of our County
affairs. o
We should be pleased to have you name
some day and hour within the present week,
in which you can meet us at your Office, and
give us your assistance in the discharge Of
that trust.
An answer Mt your earliest convenience
will much oblige, Yours &c.,
+ i if; = :: S S::;:s'' Com.
Council BLUFFS, IowA:l
Feb. 3, 1859.
To Tuos. OFFICER, II. c. Ncrr, and J. p.
CASSIDY: S,rs:
have received from you, communica-
ton, dated ID inst. stating, that in compi
ance with II petition, of a number Of the
Electors and Tax Payers of Pottawattamie
County, you have consented to net as Com
mittec, to examine into the condition of our
County affairs, and requesting me to name
some day and hour, within represent week,
when will meet you at my Office, and assist
you in so doag.
Now, the petition to which You refer, if
correctly copied by the Bugle, contains the
following paragraph:
" There many rumors aioat in this community in
regard to the affairs Of County and many charges
of gross acknowledgement and Corruption vu part oi
our present county judge"
1t would seem further, from the whulc
tenor Of said petition, that instead of .tuH
examination of our County affairs, it is the
object of those petitioners " to scrutinize the
official acts" of me alone. shall therefore
reply to you solely with reference to myself.
You will bear in mind that, rs County
Judge, have given bond, and taken upon
myself solemn oath, for the faithful per-
Torrance Of my official duties, for which
am nmenable to the laws of the State
Should violate the trust confIcd to me
by the g electors and tax payers Of this
county, in minority nearly double the
number of your petitioners, there is a legal
remedy. You will also bear in mind, that
the District Court, which has power to re-
move me from Office, for official misdcmcan-
ors, will convene in this City on Monday
next, and that Grand Jury will then be in
81 n, one of the speeitl duties of which is
to inquire into the wlful and corrupt mis-
conduct in Office, of all county officers
Thtn why not let those " charges of gross
mismanagement and corruption,' on my
part, be presented, heard and adiudscd, in
the proper manner?
There is no official act of mine. that wish
to conceal, nor do | shrink from, or desire
to postpone an Investigation of the affairs of
this county, during my administration. l
shall be most happy at all reasonable times,
to impart to any gentlemen interested, any
information respecting the books and pa
pers, of which, as County Judge, the law
gives me the control, and for the safe keep
ing of which am responsible.
But when charges of gross and criminal
nature arc preferred against nc, | shall, rs
! have right to. insist upon having them
investigated by Il lcgaiy constituted tribu
nal.
These considerations, in addition prior.
and imperative official and professional en-
sagcmcnts, will prevent my complying with
your request. Yours, Respectfully,
JOHN II. SHERMAN.
The New Territories.