Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1871-02-03
What will the People Think !?

The Mineral Point Tribune says, "The
minutes of the proceedings of the County
Board of Supervisors, published two weeks
ago, seem to reflect upon Hon. Amasa
Cobb-to imply that he had violated a
pledge, and thus secured the release OF
Geo. H. OTIS from certain penalties, at the
expense of the county treasury. The
Dodgevile Chronicle avails itself of this
circumstance, and the absence, and conse-
quent inability of Gen. Cobb to defend
himself, to give color to the rejection.
Knowing nothing of the case, save as it
appears by the published proceedings, and
knowing not what defense Gen. c. may
have to make, we are yet confident that
when all facts relating to the matter are
made public, Amasa Cobb will stand hon.
orally acquitted, and retain the confidence
and esteem of the people of Iowa county,
which his previous upright course and
unquestiQned honesty have gained"
The MINUTES of the proceedings more
than "seem" to think that Hon. Amasa
Cobb violated pledge. The report OF
the committee appointed for that purpose
says: &s.s4v
"And the district attorney under in
structions of the board on the S8th OF
June, 1852, commenced suit against the
first bondsmen of the sum of $3,159.97,
and was ready at the spring term A. d.
1870 of said court, with Otis in attend
ance, to try the case. But Gen. Cobb
appeared before the board in behalf of
Otis, and asked the board to grant Otis
time to re-examine his accounts, and
promised that after such denomination.
whatever amount should be found due the
county should be divided into three equal
parts, and Otis should give notes for the
amount payable in one, two and three
years, with sureties and General Cobb
guaranteed that said notes should be given
W it'll sureties satisfactory to the board,
and that ne, Cobb. would sign the notes.
And General Cobb asked that the case be
continued. until the 4th Monday in Sep
TENDER following, and that the criminal
prosecution against Otis be dismissed"
During the summer of 1870, Otis made
a reorganization Of his accounts and set
Element with the board, but was unable to
discover any mistake or alter the balance
found due the county on bis fist settle
ment.
But so far Otis has failed to give the
notes with sureties satisfactory to the
board, as guaranteed by Gen. Cobb.
Having failed to give she notes, the dis
trict attorney was instructed to proceed
with the case against the first bondsmen,
and noticed:it for trial at the October term
A. D. 1876 Mr.. Otis was written to and
replied that he would be present at court
to give his testimony in the case but he
failed to make his appearance when want
ed, and the case could not be tried as Otis
is a very important witness. Since court
the district attorney has written to Otis to
know whether he would permit his depo-
sition to be taken, or attend our next term
of court, but so far has failed to elicit any
reply"
We decidedly disclaim any intention Of
taking advantage of anybody, either in
their absence or presence but we do
claim to state facts as they are on all qnes
tons in which the commonwealth of the
county has as deep an interest as it has in
this matter.
IF this were a trivial affair we never
should have called attention to it; but it
Is matter of over two thousand dollars
cash, that The people have once paid for
the purpose Of deiraying their county ex-
penses, and because it was not applied to
that purpose, they, of necessity have paid
it again, and the amount has been lying
for many years not even drawing interest
while the people will be compelled to pay
a large amount of expenses for recovering
back part the money they have already
paid twice ?
This does not seem to us like very
small thing, and all we ask is to be per
mitted to stand for the vindication Of the
people against wrong. Our columns are
for the benefit of the entire public, and
not confined to adding to, or subtractirg
from, the private affairs of individuals.