Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-08-05
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS.
A LIVELY TIME OVER ANOTHER MINING
EXPERT" CLAIM.
An Animated Discussion of the Whole
Field-The Quality of the Expert
Services Performed-Etc.

| bers being present The only business thai
came before the Board was the consideration
of claims presented for the month of July
| This is generally formal and monotonou;
proceeding, unaccompanied by boneracking
exertion, and not usually elicitlng the pro.
found attention of members outside of the
Chairman Of the committee who puts
his sign-manual upon those approved.
Another mining-expert claim, however,
came in yesterday, which not only created
lively interest, which was felt by the
entire Board, but came near upsetting its
equilibrium and dignity. 1twas, in fact, the
most crisp of anything that has occurred
since the heated debates upon the recent re-
tainer fee of 5000. which was finally passed
by the uninteresting majority OF " tour to
three" In fact the new conner and new bid
der for fame is relative of the said retainer
fee, having been placed in state OF ineuba-
ton at the same "quiet" session OF the Board.
The present bill which gave rise yesterday
to so much interest is another claim presented
by J. H. Sullivan for sixteen days more of
service as mining expert-Sl60 and $40 for
expenses, which is stated to be in full for
services and expenses 'to date" MIR. Blair
was careful in examining the bill to see that
that fact was stated, so as to keep the matter
cleaned up" as he remarked, "as each bill
for this mining expert business comes in"
The presentation of this account was
electrical Mr.. Blair quickly showed that it
did not meet his appreciation, and he and
MIR. Christy were at once on their feet. MIR.
Blair asked to have its consideration post
poned until the next regular term Of the
Board, and that Mr. Sullivan be subpenaed
to appear at that time and answer such ques-
tions as should be put to him concerning the
services alleged to have been rendered, and
the expenses claimed to have been paid.
About this time the speaker, Mr.. Wilson,
Mr.. Christy, MIR. Beckley and Mr. Bailey
all succeeded in getting the floor at the same
time. Mr. Christy seemed to have the best
hold of it, and to him the rest for moment
gave audience. He declared that it would be
an open, unmitigated swindle upon the coun-
ty for the Board to countenance such bill
and that it was not entitled to the respect of
being laid over until the next term of the
Board but ought to be rejected and killed for.
ever and at once. He further declared that
the employment OF Sullivan was downright
swindle upon the taxpayers of the county, as
he was not in any sense a mining expert,
knew nothing about the business or mines
and was not entitled to compensation as such;
but Notwithstanding this, keeps putting in his
claims regularly at each session of this Board
for SO per day and expenses.
MIR. Wilson championed Mr.. Sullivan
nobly, in a long and excited reply. He
claimed that it was highly improper for the
Chairman of the Finance Committee (Ar.
Blair to subpoena Mr.. Sullivan before the
Board (; that such thing had never been
done, would be an outrage, and he should
strenuously oppose such step being taken.
He also replied to Mr.. Christy's remarks in
relation to the employment of Mr.. Sullivan
being swindle upon the county, defending
the latter upon an exceedingly high key.
Mr.. Blair next got the floor, and after
casually remarling to Mr.. Wilson that he
had successfully got rid of large amount of
Chairman of the Board, If Mr.. Sullivan was
still under employment-if his time was still
going on, but Mr.. Beckley stated that be was
unable to answer. Mr.. Blair reminded him
that he and Mr.. Cadwalader were appointed
by the Board TO employ these mining experts,
and he or his colleague ought to have some
information upon the subject, and know
when their time was up, and for how long
time they were hired. Mr.. Beckley could
not accommodate him with any facts upon
the subject, but retofted to any insinuations
intended.
Mr.. Beckley now took exceptions to some
further remarks of Mr.. Christy, and the tide
Of war turned between these two.
Mr.. Christy reiterated what he had pres
emily said, and asserted that the claim of Mr.
Sullivan was thieving bill, and that the
parties who hired him were responsible for it,
He said Sullivan not only did not know any
thing about mines or mining, but that he
(ChristY) had seen him hare in the city every
day since the last bill was presented, walking
around the streets and doing nothing, and
now he comes again and presents his bill for
sixteen days services, as mining expert,
at between S13 and S14 per day. and asks the
Board to permit him to put his hand down
into the county treasury and take out that
modest sum for his time spent in inyestigat.
ing mines-around TIE streets of Sacramento
Mr.. Becl,ley wanted to know il Mr.
Christy meant him when he said that the
parties who hired Sullivan were responsible
for a swindle upon the county. Mr.. Christy
replied that he did not, as he (Beckley) had
stated already that he did not know any
thing about his doing this work. He there
fore supposed it was his colleague that was
responsible in the matter.
This was not satisfactory to Mr.. Beckley,
and he again demanded with emphasis to
know whether he meant that he (Beckley)
had had anything to do towards swindling
the county.
At this Mr. ChristY replied with equal en-
phasis that if what he had said had hit him
he would not take anything back. but would
stick to all he had said. Further words
passed between them in remarkably pointed
manner. during which Mr. Beckley suggested
to Mr.. Christy the propriety of keeping his
shirt on. This was the eliminating point,
and after a short debate under subdled cor
dition of affairs, the consideration Of the
claim was postponed until the next regular
term of the Board.