The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1872-08-16
"AdditiOn, Division and
silence"

County majority OF It's ofnceS have
been filled with political paupers, 50
bankrupt in business capacity as to be
unsuccessful in all individual enter
prises. And these men have been con-
stantly surrounded by men as bank
rupt in everything as themselves. One
instance Of this ignorance, bordering
upon crime was the Board of Super
visors paying D. o. Preston $500 a
year for his services as County Judge,
when the law made ample provision in
the way Of fees for every service rem
dered. Another instance was contin-
uing him an official pauper fed by taxes
drawn from the people, as Attorney for
the county, with no other service to
render than to aid the Office holders in
manipulating the caucuses and con-
ventions Of the party as to continue
themselves in the places they occupy.
For this service his salary was 500
per annum, payable quarterly; fec
small enough for SO dirty work.
The rickcty old bridges Of the county
are an additional specimen of official
folly. Everything connected with them
has been in keeping with the following:
"BK1DuE PRoposALs.
Notice is hereby given, that sealed
proposals for building bridge across
the Iowa River, at Lime Springs, with
plans and specifications for the same are
invited.
All proposals for the construction Of
the said bridge must be fled with the
Clerk Of the Board Of Supervisors, pri-
or to the first day Of March, at which
time the contract will be awarded.
Dated February 9Th 1867.
G. s. THuRDER,
Chairman of the Board of Supervisors. "
At the time this appeared in our
paper, we saw that such q method of
procedure would result in calamity,
though we did not appreheud then that
the worthless structure obtained under
such system was to fall down of its
own weight, involving a loss Of life,
and a suit Of $4,000 against the
county for damages as the sequel
proves. On the sth.of Feby 1867 we
condemned this system Of doing the
county business in the following Ian
guage:
elsewhere in our paper may he
be found notices inviting proposals,
plans and specifications for bridging the
Iowa river at Lime Springs, and Staff
Creek, we suppose near Eatonville.
seems to US though, that the plans
and specifications should have been
furnished by the county, and proposals
invited in accordance with them. While
almost every one can make proposals
to do the work, but few can draft
plans, and prepare properly, the speci-
6cations.
Besides no mechanic can draw them
for less than $25, and few Of them even
will feel disposed to put this amount of
expense upon plans and specifications
that may be rejected. "~
Also instead of inviting competing
proposals upon well considered plan
and upon carefully prepared specifca-
tions it invites competing plans and
specifications, with only one proposal to
be made under the plan they may
adopt"
We do not retract one word from
what we said then, for events have
confirmed our convictions Of the folly
and incompetence Of the men who
engineered this affair which is but
counterpart Of the method in which our
public interests are managed, by the
official ring that makes it's retention Of
Office its measure Of official capacity.
At the January session Of the Board
Of Supervisors in 1870. the following
resolution was adopted, remaining to
this day unrepealed, and yet it is as
much dead letter as though it had
never been adopted. No effort is made
to protect the peoples interests, as con-
by the resolution, and no
opportunity to award political favorites
at the public expense, allowed to pass.
The great length Of this article pre-
vents our giving details this week, but
It an early day this subject will be
urther placed before the public. Here
S the resolution adopted in the inter-
SITS of the people and constantly
utilized by those whoes dutj it is to
hey or repeal it.
Be it resolved by the board Of |
of Howard County:
That before the county shall be
liable on any contract for printing |
blanks Of any description for the county
md its officers, official bonds, execu-