The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1875-10-28
County Commissioners, and County
Finances.

EluahCCSs
A asPeople" reading last weeks Chief. desired
to know what connection the fact that certain
men were successful in business had with the
Office of County Commissioner. We had tried,
in the very article that he was reading to ex-
plain what it had to do with it. When man
carries on a heavy and successful business for
years, maintaining a reputation rs an honorable
man, it is the best of evidence that he is good
business man and careful financier. 1t is the
best proof of his business capacity, and of his
character for honesty in business. Such men
are wanted to manage the business of the public
and that is what it has to do with the Office of
County Commissioner. The three Republican
candidates are just such men-experieHeed in
business, old residents of the County, and under
stand the affairs of the County. As well pick up
any ordinary laborer, without experience or ca
paeity, and make him manager of bank or an
insurance company, simply because he is honest
as to select the same kind of man for the Office
of County Commissioner.
Let taxpayers look at the condition of our
County finances, just at present. When the Re
publicans gained control of the County, at the
beginning of the war, the County was swamped
in debt, and County scrip was worth but 35 cents
on the dollar. There are many of our citizens
who have distinct recollection of disposing of
hundreds of dollars of County Scrip at not over
so cents on the dollar. Scrip was a drug in the
market, and difficult of sale. 1t was a common
thing to see it advertised for sale; but nobody
wanted it, except in small quantities, about tax
paying time, to pay that portion of their tax lev
led for County purposes. The Republicans cleo
ted their County Board; an act was passed by
the Legislature for bonding the floating debt,
and in three OF four years County Scrip was at
par. The holder could present it at the County
Treasury, and get its face in cash, the same as
q draft at the counter of bank. There was
no floating debt, and the bonded debt was being
gradually reduced So it continued, as long as
the Republican party kept offices in their own
hands. But two years ago. there was cry for
Reform" What it was that needed reforming,
no one exactly knew. We guess that some men
were hungry for Office, and wanted to reform in.
The Republican party wrangled among them
selves, and almost let the electioRgo by default.
The great "People" elected The County officers,
and commenced the business of "reform." They
have been running the machine just one year
and nine months, and what is the RESULT The
levy was exhausted before the end of the year,
$1,000 was borrowed to pay expenses, certificates
of Indebtedness were issued, thousands of dollars
of County scrip is afoat, and there is no money
in the Treasury to pay warrants, and scrip is
poor sale at s. cents on the dollar, with fair
prospect of running down to the good old figure
of so cents! In addition to this is a fact known
to but few, that our County bonds are dishonor-
ed, there being interst on them long overdue,
and no money to pay it! The amount estimated
for County expenditures for the coming year is
S30,0o0 and the tax levy for this purpose is heav
ier than it has been for years.
Where has all the money gone tot What is
there to show for iti A correspondent, in anoth-
er column, tells where some of it has gone to.
our most important roads and bridges are in
worse condition than they have been for years
1t is almost impossible to travel any distance
without the risk of life and limb, on account of
bad roads and unsafe bridges. Yet we find al
lowances to the amount of S562 for building a
bridge over some ravine or spring branch on
by-road. We find, as our correspondent says,
that member of the County Board paid himself
SIS out out of the County Treasury, for hunting
his oWn stolen cattle! An allowance of $40 or $50
was made to another citizen of the County, to
pay for hunting his stolen horses The prece-
dent having been set, must the County pay every
man for looking after his own private property
If one has this right, all have it.
Yet we do not charge corruption or intention
al wrong upon any member of the County Board.
1t was simply want of business capacity; of per-
ception to decide what was legitimate County
expenses and what not; and of back bono to
put their foot down upon palpablo impositions.
But the Taxpayers have to foot the bills, all the
same. We would ask, have not the people got
enough of Peoples Party" Reform, in two
yearsi Isn't it about time to try the Republican
party again, and to elect men to The County
Board who understand how to do businessi The |
people have paid about enough for bunglers who |
do not appear to have any other aim than to |
beat the Republican ticket.