Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1881-01-27
FEW QUESTIONS.


a.t yOu toOpen one blind lei little Of the light
your store-houss Of knoviedge illumisaie our d.ff
ened intellect.
Bosr Of Construction. consisting Of the Commission
ers, clerk Of the COurts, sheriff and Probate judge
adopted or approved Of certain plans and spscihes-
lions for Court-House and jail II estimated
pense Co., and that contract for the oonstruc
ton and hnishing Of these buildings WAS approved by
the Prosecuting Attorney the contract being awarded
for trne less than the estimatethe cost being limit
ed BY statute-And the levy pay the not to
eeed three mills the dollars valuation In any
year.
notice that bill has passed the lower House Jf
the Legislature and is pending IN the Senate to
raise for the above purpose an additional sS5,Ooo,
which IL also to be paid by levy not to exceed three
mills in any one year.
Now, what want to know IL this /:
Ist. Have the Commissioner under these two laws,
the power TO levy six millr in one year,
understand that the plans of the Court House
have been CHANGED and the contractors awarded, on
recommendation of the architect slO,sOO extra and
above the original contract price.
Now, want to know
I'd. Has the Board of Construction, composed Of
the officers already mentioned, consulted in this
change and increased price, and did that Board ap-
prove of It?
Sd. Did the Prosecuting Attorney approve of Il?
4th. Did the original law sHthorize the erection of
buildings to cost $4,000
5th. Will the enactment Of this second Law defeat
injunction and give the Commissioners free access to
the treasury
There is an addition to these special evies author
lied about $40, 900 collected per building
fund
Tell me-
9th. What is to become Of this money!
7th. What dividend is paid to each of the interest,"
ed parties
BY answering You will much oblge
AN IGNORANT FARMER.
Believing that our correspondent, who
signs himself "Ignorant Farmer" has
asked his questions in good faith, saying
nothing about the balance OF his COM
munication, we called upon Auditor En-
nes for information, which he cheerfully
gave us. We will, therefore, without any
further parley, proceed to answer "Ignor-
ant Farmer" to the best ofour ability from
knowledge received from enquiry at the
Auditors Office.
Asa preliminary we will say that bill
has just passed the General Assembly
which provides for an additional amount
of$35, 900, to complete, furnish and equip
the new county buildings and grounds.
We are told this was done after mature
deliberation on the part of the County
Commissioners and upon the advice of
many citizens. This additional money
was required on account OF some few
changes made in the construction of the
Court House building, which added to its
cost; principally that of putting solid
stead of galvanized iron, as the original
contract called for, and also substituting
stone for the porticOs instead of galvan-
lied iron. This change was made upon the
recommendation ofthe experimenting ar
chitect, and upon due consideration by the
Commissioners and the Board of Construc-
tion. The change no doubt is wise one,
and will add much to the permanency and
appearance OF the structure. This, togeth-
or with other less important changes, add
ed to the cost something in the neighbor-
hood ofsl0,OOO. Then funds were needed
to pay the Architect, securing the heating
apparatus, furniture for both Jail and
Court-H House, suitable bell and clock,
the building of sidewalks, grading of lots,
and hundred and one items which will
be required before the buildings and
grounds are completely finished.
After careful research and due calcula-
ton, the County Commissioners place the
entire cost of these improvements, COM
plete throughout, at not much less than
$15O,0OO. We also learn that the work is
progressing finely, a good job is being
done, and the county no doubt will get
the worth otits money. AS the question
has been asked us quite frequently, as to
whether as good a job could be done dur
ing the winter months as in warmer
weather, we took particular pains to in
form ourselves upon this point. We are
guaranteed that as good work can be done
now as at any time during the year. This
is vouched for by architect Gibbs, who cites
scores OF fine buildings, work upon which
progressed in all seasons of the year.
But to the questions:
1st. The Commissioners, under the two
acts. could possibly make a mill levy;
but this is question open to doubt, and
is one that will not likely be raised, as
levy OF mills ina any one year will be all
tina t is required to meet the provisions Of
both acts. The levy this year is but 21a
mills, although the law gave the power to
levy mills. Auditor Ennes says while
the Board might recognize the fact that
they had the power to levy a 6 mill tax,
there need be no apprehensions oftheir ev-
er doing so, as no emergency could occur
justlfying such levy.
I'd, We are told the Board did consult
in the change and increased price, and
that the Board approved oflt, withthe ex-
ception of the. Probate Judge, who has not
acted with the Board since the building
was commenced.
Sd. As to the Prosecuting Attorney ap-
it, we are informed by the Audi
tor that that officer thinks it is none of his
(the Prosecutor's) business, but that he
heartily endorses all that the Board has
done.
Questions 4th, 5th, 9th and 7th we will
leave each one to answer for himself, but
sIrnorant Farmer" is mistaken when he