Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1878-01-16
Where the Money Goes.


Every tax payer who tails 10 read the
published proceedings of the Board of Street
commissioners from time to time rs they
appear, misses The most interesting and in
structive matter we furnish him. For in
stance, this week he will be edited as he
glances over the long list of accounts, re-
ferred and audited, and be able to see at
glance how ii is that this community is
tax ridden and oppressed. He will be apt
to conclude that we have not been far from
right in our charges heretofore made as to
the prohlgacy and looseness which have
characterized the Boards operations. To
begin with, he will find an account present
ed by H. Finn, for going to Madison to re-
surrect his little bill, which the pub ic has
heard Of before, under which two elections
were held here last spring. 1t will be re-
membered that the same was not published
promptly, and Finn conceived the idea
that some one, with evil designs on his pet
measure, had stolen or suppressed it,
Hence instead of writing to the Sec'y Of
State which would have answered every
purpose, at an expence TO himself of three
cent stamp, he preferred to visit Madison in
person, and did SO at cost of eight dollars
to the city. The item is insignificant, of
course but it shows how this economical
(?) and though tful ~ Board does business
But look further along in the proceedings
and there will be found bill of Thomas
Baxter for l3 days work with pile driver
on Second street bridge, at twenty dollars
per day. total $3.50. The work to be per-
formed was the driving down of the piles in
one or two bents, which "a skillful mechanic
should have done in one or two days at the
most. If the committee having that bill in
charge recommend Its allowance in full,
they ought to be eternaly damned. But we
have little idea that the sum asked for will
be paid. 1t probably is little scheme for
"whipping the devil around the stump
and getting even with the city for its refus-
al to allow in full his bill of $500 for ex-
tras on Labsree bridge. This latter account
1T VIII be perceived, the Boscd has audited
at $500, leaving $500 to be quarreled over
and perhaps litigated in the courts. Con-
Corning this item, we think the public is
sufficiently informed to understand that the
city has been victmized to a considerable
extent, al. through thestupidity and reckless
ness of the Board which has transacted the
whole business in an exceedingly careless
and unmethodical manner. 1t will be further
observed, by the proceedings this week
published, tina the Board, as if DESTROYS of
keeping the public as much in the dark as
possible, laid upon the table Aid. Goette's
resolution providing for the printing of City
Engineer Prentice's report and statement
OF the extras for which pay is demanded.
This is in keeping with all the other actions
of the Board ia the matter. Mr.. Prentice
as an expert, hiss made thorough exalnina-
ton OF the entire subject and submitted a
report embodying the facts, which the pxb-
lie has a right to see. But the Board evil
IDENTIFY is of opinion that the less taxpayers
are permitted to see and hear of the ease.
the less violent will be their manifestations
of disapproval. However, the REPUBLICAN
has given them a few points which they
cannot fail to consider profitably. The
Democrat, of course, will howl tina. it is
unreasonable fault6nding on our part be-
cause the Board is Democratic, and will
seek to ward off the effects of the exposures
made in this way. And it is becausess..t the
Board is Democratic, we suppose, that the
official organ dare not lisp a word in con-
demnation of whatever wrong the Board
may perpetrate. All the duties which it
owes to the taxpayers have been ignored, on
the theory, we presume, that they have no
rights which Democratic Board IS bound
to respect or perhaps because it considers
its allegiance TO party stronger than its de-
votion 10 theiinterests of the people
BG@ Flannels, Beavers, Cassimeres, with.