The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1873-12-15
The sangamOn Collector and the Supervisors
make Compromise.
From the Springfield Register, nth.

From the Springfield Register, 18th
The matter between the Board of SUI
pervisors and o. r. Baker in regard 70
the settlement of bis account as county col
lector, has been amicably adjusted IN
spirit of compromise, by Mr.. Baker paying
into the treasury 81 300 received by him
as commissions. Mr.. Baker, we think,
honestly entertained the opinion that he
was legally entitled to the commissions,
and he made payment under protest. His
view of the case was sustained by legal opin-
ion entitled TO the highest respect, and IN
our Judgment had he fallen back upon what
he claimed as his legal right, the county
would have been unable to recover in a
suit at law. Bv the manly course adopted,
however, all unpleasantness has been
avoided and Mr.. Baker retires with very
enviabe record as a faithful and capable
officer.
The Board has endeavored to prevent
the recurrence of such question by pro-
yiding salary for the collector, indepen-
dent Of the salary paid him as compensa-
ton for dischargiug the duties of the Office
of treasurer. It is held by some howev
err, that, regardless of the action of coun-
ty board, the collector may appropriate TO
his own use the fees received by him as
commissions, etc. Be this as it may, the
Board has done its duty in the premises,
and the present official, and those who sue
coed him, know in advance what is expect
ed OF them, aud we don't believe that they
will care to contest the matter The ques-
ton will doubtless be judicially settled at
some time; in the meantime, we trust
Sangamon county and the officials will
avoid all litigous proceedings in the premi
ses. The Board of Supervisors met this
morning at 10 O'Clock The special order
being the consideration of the report of tbs
judiciary committee in the settlement with
.. r. Baker, MIR. Warren made the follow
ing report for the committee:
Your committee on judiciary, having been In
structed by a resolution OF the board to demand o
q X Baker that he pay into the treasury all fee
and commissions recei ed by him as county colleC
tor, respectfully report that they have performed
that duty and that said o. X. Baker In answe
thereto denies the right Of this board under the LAY
to require -aid payment of him. Said Baker ais
denies that the board fixed his salary q
collector, or that they have the power TO do &C
said Baker however, offers N a compromise TO ia
into the treasury the sum OF 81 800.
T. difference of opinion among lawyers a. to tn
ques ion between said collector and the board, an
whilst your committee themselves believe that III
courts would sustain the board yet for the pnrpos
Of friendly settlement Of the ques ton ia dispui
without the cost OF litigation, they would recon
mend the acceptance Of said proposition
They further recommend that upon the payment
said sum OF $3.50 the report Of said Baker trea
Urer be approved W VI. WARREN,
JONI >. HIGAMoRE
The report was adopted, there being bt
three dissenting votes
Mr.. Higgins submitted the following re
olutions which were adopted unanimousl
Res0ired, That the county collector he allow,
one thousand dolurz per year a. compensafiou +
hi services rs such collector, the salary To be pa
out of The Ices Of his office.
Rssotred further, Tuat 1t IL the sense OF Il
board that the collector should make srmi-aunu
reports to the county board, Of ali the comm
sion, fees and cm"luments received by him as c,
lcctor.
The amount mentioned above is,
course, in addition 10 the allowance befo
made TO the county treasurer-S2, 900, al
makes the total salary OF treasurer and &C
lectOr $4,000