The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1883-08-15
COUNTY SOLONS.
Special Attention Paid 10 the Settle.
ment of the Perkins-Har-
son Fees.
TUESDAY AFTERNOON.


A report was submitted by the finance
committee, which was ordered received
and placed on file. 1t sets forth the
resolution of the May term claiming that
Circuit Clerk Harson has collected $685.. 65
of sheriffs fees, which he should have
paid to Sheriff Perkins. but that no evil
dence has been shown that it was so paid
1t states both ex- Supervisor Zimmerman
and ex-Sherif Perkins had been written
to about the matter, and that replies had
been received. Mr. Zimmerman says
that he had several talks with Mr.. Harson
who said that he had paid Mr.. Perkins no
money that had not been credited On the
sheriff's books, unless it might be some
small sums, for which Mr. Perkins had
given him receipts for. After Mr.. Perkins
had reported on collec lions of fees, the
Zimmerman committee made up Mr.
Harson's account, separating reported
and unreported fees. and the clerks fees
proper from the sheriff's fees in his
hands and making an aggregate of
both to show how much money was in
the officers hands that was due the coun-
ty. The committee entertained no doubt
of the circuit clerks liability direct to the
county for money collected as sheriff s
fees After the report was submitted to
the board Mr.. Harson paid over some of
the money, part clerks fees, part sheriff S
fees, leaving a balance of S525.65 as
claimed. The sheriff's fees charged to
MIR. Harson were no part of the settle
ment with Mr.. Perkins as Mr. Perkins had
never received them. Ex-Sheriff Perkins.
in his letter, says that he has no reccllec-
ton of ever receiving from the circuit
clerk any fees except when signing the
fee book as receipt, and that all such
fees were always credited by him to the
county. The sheriff was always required
to sign the fee book TO get the money
The present finance committee says in
conclusion that the 1926. 85 is still in the
hands of Circuit Clerk Harson. and that
further steps are for the board to decide
On motion of Supervisor Campbell, the
finance committee was instructed to en-
ploy counsel and bring suit for the col
lection of the money alleged to be due
according to the statement made.
We understand that Mr.. Harson takes
the position that he is accountable while
| in Office to the sheriff for sheriff's fees,
not to the county board, and that he did
account to the sheriff for this money. On
closing his official term, he becomes &C.
countable to the county board for what
sheriff's fees he may have on hand, and
all other trust funds"
From this we would infer that Mr..
Harson claims TO have paid Sheriff Per
kins the amount in dispute. He does
not say he paid it, but simply that he
accounted to the sheriff for it." But
where is his receipt, if he has paid it?
asks the supervisors. The county is GER
tainly entitled to the money. and some
one must pay it. OF course, the county
looks. naturally enough, to MIR. Harson
for the amount, as he is the person who
collected il. If he had receipt to show
that the money was turned over to Per-
kins that would be sufficient to release
him If be did turn the money over to
Perkins, he should certainly have de-
manded receipt for the same We be-
lieve it is the custom for all the county
officials to make report to the county
board semi annually, but at any time the
sheriff is at liberty to demand the fees
from the clerk. 1t would be good idea
tor the board to instruct the sheriff to
demand all the fees in his hands, and if
he refuses to pay the $5s5.s5, then some
legal action should be taken in the matter.