The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1876-03-02
REMARKS BY THE ARGUS.

Mr.. Wilson has made timely request
of the board of supervisors and also made
some suggestions worthy the consideration
Of all the people. Our new constitution,
Art. X, Sec. 10 provides that
S 10, The County Board shall fix the
compensation of all county officers, with the amount
of their necessary clerk hire, stationery, fuel and
o;her expenses and in all cases where fees pro-
vided for said compensation shall be paid only out
of and shall in instance exceed the fees actually
collected they shall not allow either OF them more
than 81 500 Ill counties not exceeding 2lGO inhah
ants; $4,000 in counties containing coo 10 and not
exceeding 30,CS1 inhabitants and SO onl All fees
or allowances by them received in excess of their
said com pensation, shall be paid into the county
treasury.
49, Every person who is elected or appointed
to any office IN this state who shall be paid in
whole in part by fees, shall be required by law to
make semi-annua report, under oath, to some Of
fcer to be designated by law of all his fees and en-
oluments.
The county board voted to pay Payne
s., 800 year. and voted him clerk or
deputy sheriff hire also. They repealed
the deputy's salary, and afterwards it was
found that the vote allowing $4,000 year
was unconstitutional and of no binding or
legal effect. for the reason that the pop
ulation did not exceed 10000 The consti
tuition provides that the last federal census
shall be the criterian for ascertaining the
population, and that census showed the
population of the county to be 1866. 1t
was therefore illegal to allow Payne over
$4,000 year. The order allowing $500
was repealed. But the last years board,
just before going out of Office, by the efforts
of Krell and Dart, allowed Payne $1,000
and he got the money and pocketed it as
quick as possible. The action was illegal
and some tax payer should haye immedi
ately enioined its payment. But what did
Kreli and Dart care for its illegality? Their
political friend wanted to grab $1,000 Of
the peoples money, to which he had nc
color of right, and they helped him do it.
The salary of the present sheriff Aug.
Huesing) has been only $4,000 and with
which he has been entirely satisfied.
The present county clerk (John v
Cook gets $4,000 for doing nothing he
is of no earthly use to the Office and ncve,
has been. He is in the way and binders
business more than he helps it. A mar
should hold that office who can render the
people full service for the money they pay
him.
The present circuit clerk Geo. D.
Gould) was allowed $1,000 year. He re-
fused to comply with the law in regard te
rendering service and ought to have beer
removed. But he hangs on, keeps the
fees he collects and insists on his own pay
and his clerk when rendering no service
whatever. He never has rendered any
service.
That's the way the Republican party
officers serve the people.
Mr.. Wilson's letter is timely one, and
we hope the county board will act on its
suggestions.
The law also requires an annual state.
ment Of the fiscal condition of the county
to be made out by the county board This
law has never been complied with.
We hope that the people of the several
towns will get together, regardless of party,
and select men for supervisors who arc
are capable of equalizing the taxes, and Oh
bringing out and laying before the people
the financial condition of the county, and
also full and clear statement of receipts
and expenses in each county Office since
the new system went into operation. The
people have right to know these things
and they should send ,nen for supervisors
who will see that the proper investigations
and reports are made and published.