The Van Buren press., 1870-12-13
The Appointment of Collector.


flee holders directly before the bar ofpub
lie opinion, but sometimes it becomes
necessary to do so. We profess 10 be
on the look out for all things calculated
to the prejudice of people, and if officials
will so conduct themselves as to endan
ger the best interest of the people, we
feel it duty incumbent upon us to call
attention to that conduct-and, ifany de
fence can be interposed, give to the par
ties an opportunity to be heard. We al
lude to the whole matter of the appoint
ment of Collector for this County, by
the County Court We intend to state
the facts as we get them, and if we are in
error parties shall be righted We are
informed that prior to the meeting ofthe
Hon County Court, the Sheriff and Treas
urer had failed to make bond as Collect
or as required by law, and it, therefore,
devolved upon the Court to appoint some
one who would present sufficient bond
with penalty ofS90,000. On the morn
ing of the assembling of the Court, one
member of the Court declared that he
was to be paid some amount for his ac-
ton in the matter, by the man who re-
ceiyed the appointment, whether for the
appointment or for becoming a surety for
the appointce was not stated. He is one
of the sureties. Another surety stated
he was to be paid one half Of tho proceeds
of the Colectorship, for failing to make
bond another was to be paid one fourth
ofthe proceeds for becoming surety. The
records of the Clerks Office shows that
the latter gentleman transferred all his
real estate, five days prior to his signing
the Collectors Bond What amount other
sureties are to get, we are not advised.
Mr.. E. G.. WHTEsIDEs, the Sheriff elect
for this County, rendered his bond and
no objection was made to its suiliciency,
but the Court refused to hear him because
1T ,cds too late" 1t became "too late"
by the record entry being made up before
the Court met The offer of Whteside's s
bond was made before Mr.. Tay,ors bond
was offered and in point Of fact was not
+" too late. " We are further advised,
that the whole Court was fully informed
of the bargains and intrigue we have
stated, before any appointment was made,
and still insisted on appointing Mr. Tay-
lor. Now are the interests, to say moth
ing of the expressed preference, of the
people looked to and properly guarded.
The bond required, and whichsMr. Tay-
lor gives, is for S90,0 And the sure
ty above referred to, who has transfer
red his real estate, WIS the best, pecuni-
arily, on the bond Take out one of the
remainders who may be worth two OF
three thousand dollars above liabilities
and exemptions, and we venture to say
there is not, represented by the bonds
man and his surcties above exemptions
and liabilities, the sum Of $1,000.
tJtstt1y by tie Court, and the bond was
arbitrarily taken, without the exercise OF
any discretion at all. Now, are the peo-
pie protected? Are their interests cared
for? They will soon be called on to
pay an enormous taX-what security have
they that they will be benefited II
makes no difference as to the standing
of Mr., Tayl6r-whether he be an honest
man or not because all men are presum
ed in law to be honest, and vet that same
law requires good bond for 100000. We
are to look to the solvcncy of the sure
ties and not to their personal character
or the personal character of the principal
The only question for the Court, should
be, are these sureties possessed of suf
fcient property to pay the penalty. i
the Court does not know this, as the,
could not ordinarily, they should require
the sureties to Justify that is, make
oath as to the amount Of property they
possess. The Court is elected or chosen
by the people not to make bargains and
sales, but to protect the interests of that
people. This is an ugly performance and
if there is any tair explanation, for the
credit ofour County, give it to us. The
people are not thus to be juggled with
They work too hard for the money to
pay their taxes. -
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