The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1876-05-18
THE COUNTY 4 HDITOR AND THE COM
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MISSIONER PRINTING.
Our readers probably noticed that
the proceedings Of the late meeting of
the Board Of County Commissioners
did not appear as usual in the AD-
VANCE. We were informed by two of
the Commissioners that an understand
ing had been arrived at, and that Aud
itor Bear, who is a mere clerk to the
Board, had been instructed to let the
printing of the proceedings to tile low
est bidder. What WAS our surprise,
then, when publication day came and
passed by and Auditor Bear did not
appear. On Saturday the proceedings
appeared in the Journal.
On Monday Capt. Mills was in town,
and IN conversation he again stated
that the Auditor was instructed Though
no vote was taken) to let the printing
to tile lowest bidder. We also wrote
to Mr.. Condo and received the follow
ing letter in reply: :.
JERSEY, May Is, 1876.
A. T. MILLER, ESQ.,, Worth;nqton,
Minn., Dear Sir: Yours Of the 18TH
inst. III regard to the matter of county
printing is received. AS you are doubt
less aware your appointment rs coa.ntv
printer and your bond in connection
Herewith, applies only to the faithful
publication OF the Delinquent Tao List.
it being optional with the Commission.
ers whether the minutes of the Board
are published, or otherwise. As COM
petition is generally supposed to induce
lower rates, the Commissioners con-
sidered it their duty to secure to tile
county lower rates for printing if the
publication of Il second newspaper
within the county would lead to such I,
result. Accordingly the Auditor WAS
instructed to confer with the publishers
Of the ADVANCE and the Journal and
award the printing Of the proceedings of
the Board, etc., to the paper that would
40 the work the cheapest. am confident
that the Commissioners from the Sec
ond and Third Districts will support
me i'll the statement that it was not in
tended that the Auditor should give
such printing to the Journal merely
upon its reducing present rates with
out consulting the ADVANCE us to Il
similar or greater reduction. If suc'
action has been taken by the Auditor
it is contrary to the wishes and expect
ations of the Board of Commissioners
Yours truly, "A. O. CoNDE.
We learn also that the Auditor
claimed the right to dispose of the prin
ing Of the Commissioners, as the worl
of making out the reports devolyed up
on him. Here is claim and proceed
ing unheard of in the history Of Count,
Commissioners and County Auditors
We have been told frequently mot b.
the Commissioners themselyes) that til,
Auditor is otficious and obtrudes hi
views upon the Commissioners In 9th
er counties the Auditor gives inform;,
ton when called upon to d. so, an.
does not assume that because'l,e is tn
clerk of the Board he has the right t,
direct them and TO control their print
ing. AS we'll might the mere clerks O
the Minnesota Legislature claim til
right land exercise it contrary to in
structions) to dispose Of the printing
Of that body.
= We were ready to expect almost any
l thing Of the Worthington Ring, bu
here is case Ut such fragrant ASSUME
ton Of authority and positive disobe
dicnce Of Instructions thai we confes
we are surprised.