Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1878-03-13
Post The Books.

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The time is close at hand when the vote RS
of this city will be called upon to settle
with their public servants and see how the
account stands. If they have been faithful
to the duties imposed upon them, they un-
doubtedly will be continued in office. If
not, they will be weighed in the balance
aad found wanting.
In reviewing the acts of the city council
or the past year we regret to say that we
see but little to commend. They have met
promptly at regular meetings and levied all
the taxes in their power, the largest ever
raised, some $50, 900, also the largest license
fund, about $4,000, all of which has been
expended on worthy and unworthy objects
until there is scarcely dollar in wards or
general funds to defray the expenses of
the present year. If the above amount had
been spent solely on Legitimate objects and
for worthy purposes the people would not
so much complain but when it is expended
for unworthy purp oses upon tavortes, etc,
when contracts, ordinances, and some of the
plainest provisions of the city charter are
violated, when the taxpayers nave reason
to frd fault Let us enumerate some of the
provisions of the charter which have been
violated; Chap 2, sec. 8 in regard to compen-
sation of officers; Chap 2 sec. 9 in regard to
public printing; Chap sec. in regard to
contracting debts beyond the revenues Of
the year and making aldermen personally
liable for the same; Chap. S sec. 2 in regard
TO poll tax; Chap. 6 sec. l in regard to
annual reports from ward officers; Chap.
sec. compensation of assessors allowing
500 extra, was wanton violation of sec. |,
Chap. sec. of letting all work by con-
tract to the lowest responsible bidder.
This section has been violated more than
any other. If it had been fully complied
with, it would have saved thousands of dol
lars TO the city treasury. ! shall content
myself for the present to present one or two
more subjects wherein there has been an
evident inten ton to show vindictiveness on
the one hand, and favoritism on the other
and where official power has been used for
uni ust purposes. 1t is we'll known that last
June the Chairman of Committee on Streets
and Bridges employed Thos. Baxter to re-
pair I'd Street Bridge; thatlisaid. Chairman
did not consult his colleagues nor a1vertize
for proposals as he was required to do; that
Baxter done the work and made out his
bill. 1t was referred to the person who
authorized him to do the work and it has
laid in hands for months without an report.
Is this just?' Is this proper? If the
account is too large let it be cut down to a
reasonable amount and not be kept as
foot ball to be kicked ABOUT and the claim
ant be kept out of his honest dues How
different has this person who is Chairman
of Committee on Gas acted in another case
In February last he presented the account
of the gas Co. for 1851 without referring as
is usual and moved the suspension of the
rules without one hours deliberation or
consultation with any member. At the
same time he must have known that the
account was made up in violation of an
express contract in the shape of resolutions
previously passed, by the present Board
limiting the number of lamps to 63 instead
of IS as charged, and to 3 feet per hour
instead of as charged in the bill, which il
adhered to would have reduced the accoun!
to $3.50. know whereof write and can
prove everything state if called upon to do
so. J. P.