The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1874-04-10
THE VACANT CIRCUIT
CLERKSHIP.
The Duty Of Judge Peasants and the
Supervisors Court.

Supervisors Court.
A Thorough Investigation Of County Affairs
Needed.
The Davenport Gazette has revived the
Circuit Clerk vacancy as follows:
George d. Gould, of Moline, was elected, |
a year and half ago. to the Office of Clerk
Of the Circuit Court for Rock Island
county, but has since remained a resident
Of Moline, contrary to the prevailing inter
probation OF the State law, which provides
that the incumbent of county Office must
take up his residence near enough his
place of official business to enable him to
give daily attention to the duties connected
Herewith. 1t is alleged that he performs
his duties through deputy, and seldom
appears in his Office In view of this con-
dition of affairs, the Board of Supervisors
adopted resolution, on the 9th OF March,
asking the Governor of Illinois to order a
new election to fiji the vacancy which the
members thereof deem has been created
by the failure of Mr.. Gould to comply with
the laws requirements. Yesterday re-
ply was received from the Governor, in
which he states that he can take no action
in the premises until the Circuit Court
decides that vacancy exists, and the
Judge issues a certificate to that effect.
Thus the matter stands. 1t has caused
much discussion between individuals and
newspapers. Davenport Gazette Aprfl 9.
The following are the resolutions alluded
to, as they appear on the record:
Supervisor Bowles presents the follow
ing preamble and resolution and moves its
adoption, viz:
WHEREAS, 1t is provided by chapter 4,
Sec. 9, Gross Statutes of Illinois, A. ID,
1869, that if any circuit clerk shall not
within six months from his election remove
to the county seat, or within such a dis
lance that he can and will give his daily at
tendance to the duties of his Office, the
Office shall be taken and deemed vacant.
And whereas George ID. Gould who was, in
November 1872, elected clerk of the cir
cult court for Rock Island county, has not
either removed to the county seat or given
his personal attention to the duties of his
office, but has to this time, and still con-
such attendance;
4ANb W HCiknSL COLlolkbulIOu
or the laws of this State point out in what
manner the above facts shall be made
known therefore
ReSolUed, That the clerk of this board
make a transcript of these proceedings
and that he certify the same to the gov
ernor of this State for his action in the
premises.
The law referred to is as follows:
Q. Non Resident CLERK Whenever any clerk.
as aforesaid shall reside at such distance from the
seat OF Justice OF his county that he cannot give his
daily attendance to the duties of his office, and snail
not. within six months from his election appoint
ment' remove 10 inc county seat, or within such
distance that he can and will give his daily attend
ance TO the duties of his Office, the office shall be
taken and deemed vacant; and the presiding judge
of the circuit court and the county commissioners
court at their first session after being informed of
the fact, shall proceed to fill such vacancy.
The law says that Goulds office shall
be taken and deemed vacant, and the cir
cult Judge and board OF supervisors, "at
their first session, after being informed of
the fact, shall proceed to fllsuch vacancy. ="
The resolutions were passed for the pur-
pose of learning how they were to be ''in-
formed of the fact and the following is
the answer of the Governor, addressed to
the county clerk:
STATE OF ILLINOIS.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
SPRINGFIELp. April 1. 1914. !
SIR am in the receipt of the certified copy of
the resolutions of the Honorable Board OF Supervi-
sOrs Of Rock Island county, relating to a vacancy
In the office of Clerk of the Circuit Court of said
coun y. If such vacancy exists it is reasonable to
presume that the Circuit Court of said county will
take ofhclhI once thereof. and do not feel war
ranted in considering the office vacant and orde
an election, without the certificate of the judge Of
the sald Clrcult Court OF sue vacancy. or cerih
ed co y of the order of said court. declaring the
sand Office vacant. Yours very respectfully,
JOHN l.. BEvERIDGE.
1t is plainly the duty of Judge Peasants
and the Board of Supervisors to declare
the Office vacant, and proceed to fill ituntil
an election can be held.
On the 18th of March, a few days after
the Board of Supervisors adopted the reso-
lutions. the Union said
George d. Gould, resident of Moline
is Circuit Clerk OF Rock Island county and
transacts the business of his office =
by deputy. He gives it little of his
personal attention for the reason that it
would not pay HIM to relinquish his private
business, from which he derives hand
some income, for the small salary the Of
fee.
The above is Dly an admission of no
toriOus fact-a fact which nobody denies
The truth is that we have no circuit clerk
except in technical sense. The office is
run by boys. Mr.. Gould has never given
his attention to the Office, as the law re-
quires, his intention Icing to pocket $4,000
year salary from the people for doing
nothing, and get the Board of Supervisors
to allow sum for clerk hire sufficient to
run the office The Republican Board Of
Supervisors for 1871 voted him $1,000 a
year (which was $500 too much and then
voted im 81, 200 year more for clerk
hire. Last year tn, Peoples Board stop
ped this $1,000.
The constitution prohibits the payment
of more salary to any officer than the
amount Of the fees of the office, and Gould
has already had more money from the PEG
pies treasury than he has returned as col
lected for fees.
We suppose the interests of the party
require that Gould should be kept in, but
the interest of the people require change.
The new Board of Supervisors ought
also to appoint competent committee to
investigate the official doings of all county
officers and see it there is any niger in
the WOOdDIIe' in any nf Thorn 7 or re