The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1871-12-01
The Tanlmany Ring Of How
ard County.

al
in legislation suggested in another
column. from the pen Of Mr.. Gates,
suggests the fact that there arc un-
lawful expenditures Of the people 5
money, rs we'll as the unwisc one 5
provided for by law. we propose
referring briefly to few facts from
time to time, that will disclose to
the taxpayers of this county that
the illegal use of their money to re.
ward partisan favorites, has been as
cxtravagant, in proportion to the
wealth, and as unjustifiable as the
corrupt and fraudulent payments
made by the no more corrupt Tam
many ring of New York.
The duties Of county Judge form
erly in vogue in the State, was con.
fined to probate matters, with a fee
bill so liberal that the incumbent for
the time occupied, could make. in
fees, at the rate Of $25 per day. Few
persons die in Howard county, so
the Board of Supervisors being char
liable with others money voted the
incumbent salary of 5000 a year,
in spite Of the earnest protest of
Judge Goodrich, then a member of
that body. because the appropriation
was without warrant Of law. The
same person is to this day continued
. paupcr on the county treasury as
county attorney, when the district
attorney is the legal adviser Of the
county officers, and voted q salary of
SIo0 per annum and the county with
no litigation requiring such services.
The only service rendered the
county for tho munifcent sums Of
money thus illegally appropriated is
an INSCRIPTIONS defence of the un-
lawful and improvident expenditures
made for partizan purpo ses.
Bridge contracts have been So let
rs to destroy, instead Of inviting
competition, securing to the county
tho worst plans Of construction, a.
the cost Of the best.
But tho contracts have been
chiefly given to those who would aid
and protect the ring, no matter what
injury the taxpayers sustain, or to
what party the contractor acknowl-
edges fealty.
A supervisor that would serve the
people AMI not the ring, though a
life long republican is discarded by
these otfi.e seekers while one that
comes before the people with great
professions ofpublic virtue; is prom
incnt in their behalf in swamp land
suits against the railroad, and sells
out the county's interest in such
suits for railroad pass AMI 500 is
retained.
In paying for assessing the towns
the same ring rule prevailed until
exposed and corrected in a court Of
justice at the cost of the county.
As the proceedings of the Board of
Supervisors never inform the people
on such points we will do so by cit
ing the facts and circumstances.
New Oregon is town containing
81 square miles. and at the time We
speak Of, contained the largest popu-
lation Of any in the ounty. j. j.
Farley, republican, but not then of
the ring, was its assessor. His bill
was reduced to $2l,25. Vernon
Springs was the next town in wealth
and population with SO square miles
of territory. Its assessor Mr.. Baker
was out Of the ring and similar
reduction was made in his bill.
Forest City then the fourth town in
population, and with only 30 square
miles Of territory to assess. was as
sessed BY the present county Audit
or whose bill without complaint was
allowed at $24,75, when it was
worth less than either New Oregon
or Vernon Springs.
Where economy has been attempt
ed It has too often been done in way
that involved the..county in the cost Of
suit. added to the amount original
~ claimed, and is we'll illustrated in
an economical proceeding over the
water.
The town council Of Edinburgh,
Scotland, learning that tho rope of the
chief bell had given way met in SOL
emn conclave to discuss whether it
should be spliced at cost of two
sbillings. or be replaced with . new
one costing two and six pence. A
second and third meeting with a
dinner at each costing flO were re-
quired to determine this weighty
matter, when the council decided
that, as "faithful stewards they were