The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1873-12-15
The sangamou collector and the Supervisors
make Compromise.
From the Springfield Register,iith.

From the Springfield Register,tith
The matter between the Board of SUI
pervisors and o. r. Baker in regard to
the settlement of bis account as county col
lector, has been amicably adjusted in a
spirit ofcompromise, by Mr.. Baker paying
into the treasury 81 800 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 thecase 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 20 recover in a
suit at flaw. By the manly course adopted,
however, all unpleasantness has been
avoided and Mr.. Baker retires with very
enviable record as faithful and capable
officer. @
The Board has endeavored to prevent
the recurrence of such question by pro
yiding a salary for the collector, indepen-
dent Of the salary paid him as compensa.
ton for discharging the duties OF the Office
Of treasurer. 1t is held by some, howev-
err, that, regardless of the action of coun-
~ 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, and we don't believe that they
will care 10 contest the matter The ques-
ton will doubtless be judicially settled al
some time; in the meantime, we trust
Sangamon county and the officials will
avoid all litigous proceedings in the premi
SEES The Board of Supervisors met this
morning at 10 O'Clock. The special order
being the consideration of the report of tn.
Judiciary committee in the settlement with
q. r. Baker, MIR. Warren made the follow
ing report for the committee:
Your committee on judiciary, having been in
structed by resolution Of the board to demand o
q, X Baker that no pay into the treasury all fee
and commissions recei ed by him as county colleC
tor respectfully report that they have pvrformet
that duty and that said o. X. Baker In answe
thereto denies the right Of this board under the la,
TO require said payment OF him. Said Baker ais
denies that the board bas ever liked HIS salary O
collector. or that they have the power To do 81
Into the treasury the sum Of 1890. ~
Your committe further report that they find ther
T. - difference Of OPT don among lawyers a. to tn
que- ion between said collector and the board, an
whilst your pmmittee themselves believe that III
COurts would sustain the board, yet for the pnTpos
Of friendly settlement Of the que,tion 10 disput
mend the acceptance Of said proposition
They further recommend thar upon the payment
said sum Of $i.WO the report Of said Baker a. trea
urer be approved W. NJ. WARREN,
JouN =. HIGAMoRE
The report was adopted, there being br
three dissenting votes.
Mr.. Higgins submitted the following re
olutions, which were adopted uuanimousl,
Res0irsd That the county collector he allow,
one thousand dollars per year a. compensation f
hi- services a. such collector, the salary 10 be pa
cut of the ices ~ his office
RssOirsd Jurthsr, TLAtit Il the sense of ii
board that the collector should make srmi-annu
reports to the county board OF all the comm
sion, fees and cmauments received by him as c,
lcctor
The amount mentioned above is,
course, in addition TO the allowance befol
made to the county treasurer-$2, 900, az
makes the total salary OF treasurer and CO
lectOr $4,000.