Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1860-10-06
reply OF TREASURER JONES.


ed to me, rejecting upon my past official
conduct, and asking me to explain.
A natural inclination would lead me to
allow my public acts to explain themselves,
as | think they are capable Of so doing, yet
the apparent show Of respect that appears
upon the face Of the communication indu-
ces me to offer a brief reply.
In regard to the first inquiry | would say,
that when entered upon the duties Of the
office, / did understand that the County
Board had, at its annual session a few
weeks previous, (but after my election) pas
sed a Resolution declaring that no future
Treasurer should be allowed any portion Of
the 5 per cent fees. But ! have no recol-
lection Of ever acquiescing entirety IN that
resolution nordo / understand that, wheth-
er | gave it my approval OF not, ! was n
any manner bound by it, except 50 far as i
proved to be just and equitable Nor do
/ understand that any man, by virtue OF
holding a public office barriers away his m
dimdudiity, except by his own colsent.-
Had that subject been agitated during the
political canvass, when was a candidate for
the office,-and had then committed my
self to the issue | would most certainly have
been bound BY its-but such was not the
case.
70 those ccnyersant with the history OF
the finances of Grant County it is unneces-
sary for me to say, that all former Treas
urers were allowed not only the 5 per cent.
upon the amount they actually collected
from the delinquent list, but also the 5 per
cent. upon the amount sold for taxes
Now, as to the latter, do rot believe any
Treasurer ever z0as, or IS non entitled to il,
because other provision is made by law to
remunerate him for his services performed
in selling. And in accordance with tbs
belief did not hesitate to account for that
item to the amount Of $274.00, as may be
seen Iy reference to my report Thus far
then, | have eeer and do nor acquiesce IN
the Resolution Of the Board.
AS to the 5 per cent. upon the amount
actually collected by the Treasurer, and by
him receipted for, | did then believe, and
I 10 nor believe, that it justly belongs to
Jim, as pay for furnishing blank receipts
and issuing the same upon the taxes paid
in; because as | understand il, there is no
other provision made by law to remuneratc
him for this service.
admit that in this belief ! may be right,
and / may be wrong. 1t is u question
which divides the public. 1t is a question
which deemed to be just TO the county,
as well as to the Treasurer to have the
opinion Of the Court, and it is a question
which probably never would have been set
tied short of such legal opinion; and there
fore, / did submit a bin to the Board for
extra service performed IN collecting taxes
from the delinquent list, for tie amount Of
the 5 per cent. / had collected-which said
bill was first aliowed by the Board. But
afterward, at my own suggestion mot to
any particular person, but TO the whole
Board as then IN session. the bill was re-
considered and disallowcd, in order that |
might have an opportunity to submit the
facts t. the Court, and have long dispu-
ted question forever - at rest.
In making this suggestion to the Board
distinctly told them that in as much as
it was disputed question, that possibly it
d;1 not legally and justly belong to me;
"a fit did not, that / had no wish to re-
.ceiye it, but that, if it did justly belong to
me claimed my right-just as any sensi-
bic man would, and who, | ask is SO ex-
tremely honest that he would net have
done the same.
As to the intimation that | undertook to
slnuggle the claim through, there is no
truth in it. There was no necessity for the
aeaqle eyes" Of The Board &c make the dis
coverv. There wasn a step taken by me in
thematter, but was clearly explained by me,
first to the finance committee and then TO
The whole Board in full session. Thai this
lis the essence Of the whole matter appeal
to the gentlemen composing the County
Board at that time And il il this, | am
found culpable, let the stigma rest upon
me.
But, permit me to say that were | now cali
ed upon to pass through the same cireum-
having the same facts and same
knowledge, | should pursue the same
course, and then consider myself faithful to
the trusts reposed in me.
As to the other points in the communi-
cation, where the records are referred TOTO
the record is my appeal. insist that the
"One7 and the "Many" shall investigate my
conduct. / do not hold that | am honest
above ordinary men. hold that no man
is above suspicion; and therefore | do most
cordially invite one and all the people Of
Grant, either individually, BY committees
or in battalons to visit my office and exam
inc for themselves. ! have no little dark
corner in my office, but shall be open to
the search Of a lighted candle. BY my
acts stand D fall, / sink or swim.
In regard to what the result ..night1
have been, had this investigation preceded
the County Convention, have barely to
say, that played no deception, neither the
sycopbant, nor the dcmosogue to obtain
the nomination; nor do | now propose to
hold it against the wish of the Republican
party. There is yet plenty Of time to in
vcstigate my conduct, and, if my nominal
ton IS found to be unsatisfactory, to place
in nomination a man after their own heart.
Al sbn,,l1 tbo nart.7 thus concIuda II hos