The Arizona sentinel., 1878-01-12
COUNTY AFFAIRS.
Something to Chew On.

county revenue. A part of the taxes for 1877 was not collected at the date of his report, owing to the extension of time granted by the Board of Supervisors. But the same extension was granted last year and about the same propor- tion of taxes of 1876 were paid in after January l, 1877, as remained unpaid January l, 1878 of those for 1877. His report shows that some $1O,OOO were paid into the general fund; of this amount one half goes, by law, into sinking fund for paying off old indebted ness. This leaves only about S50O0 available for meeting the general expenses of the county; to this may be added nearly 1900, the av- craze of payments into the con- tingent expense fund, giving $6200 as the total available for cur rent annual expenses. At any rate it is all the county had at it's dis posal for defraying expenses of 1877. The records of the Board of Supervisors show that, during the past year, bills have been allowed and warrants drawn for $13,5 The treasurer's books show that Yuma county is in debt over S50,- GOO, on which interest accrues at the rate of ten per cent per annum. The treasurer's fees amounted to $793, besides the other county eX- penses. Without counting court house bonds and other expenses we see that, during the past year, we have made an expenditure of some S19,5O0 with an avilable in- come of $6200. At that rate how long will it take us to pay our debts?
 It seems customary to attribute this enormous expense to the courts and to official dishonesty. Last summer a fannel-mouthed demagogue published in the Tue son Star, statements denouncing the clerk of the district court and the probate judgeas the swindlers who were robbing the taxpayers and plunging the county into debt. The records show that during the past year, this Brute-us has receiv- ed from the county, as district attorney, S6S3; the probate judge has drawn $320, and the clerk of the district court has secured $164 and no more. The figures are of record and speak for themselves. The patriotic, honest citizen has drawn more loot than both the swindlers put together:
 The grand jury thought we might all be happy if the justices courts were run more self sacrifice ingly. Again the books show that, during the year,
 Justice Knight got. .S225 SC Justice Smith got. 3l B Justice Burr got.............. fl 2C Justice Brinley got..... ..... co 0C
 It would be hard for a grand jury ito show how these items could be cut down much. The district court has cost $970.80, in cluding attendance of officers, ser vice of criminal process and al expenses. Of this amount the grand jury got $344. 10 and the dis trict attorney raked in $45. Nc district court has cost less any where.
 The two principal items of ex' pense are the care of prisoners which cost S3475.04, besides S41t more collected from the United States for keeping their prisoners and the relief of indigent sick which has cost us S2771.S7, or near ly half of our total available in come. It is so easy to be charitable with other peoples money. I Neahr, Lyons, Samter and othe, merchants will let this editor hell himself to their money and goods free of cost, he will indulge hi! charitable instincts to an eXten