The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-01-15
CRAMER PAYS.
His Long.Standing Indebtedness to
the City Finally Settled.

last evening" Wnere the lnteEcSttu pdAIOs
met at 7.30 O'Clock. There were present
Mayor Mott; Alderman Henry, Larkin,
and Reimers, comprising the fna4ce com
mittee; City Attorney Corbett and Judge
Wilkinson, counsel for the city On the
other side were Fred A. Cramer, and his
counsel, Messrs E. D. Sweeney and W
Fl. Gest. 1t did not take long to con
clude the business, the representative Of
the city being handed the balance
SO, 505.05, as agreed upon, in the form OF
a certificate of deposit of the Rock Island
National bank. The following receipt
was given Mr.. Crsmer and his bondsmen,
Messrs, B. Davenport. J. S. Gilmore
W. L. Sweeney, A. Hull, and 7. J
Robinson, for all claims on the part OF
the city:
Rock ISLAND, Jan. II, 1884.
WHEREAS, there has been a controversy
between the City of Rock Island and Fred
A Cramer as to the amount due said
city from said Cramer, and
WHEREAS, after full investigation and
examination of accounts it has been as
certained to the satisfaction of said city,
the sum of So, 50505, an itemized state
ment whereof has been made, and
WHEREAS, said Cramer has paid to
said city the said sum of money, we now
witnesseth that the said Cramer is dis
charged from all liabilities upon any and
all accounts whatever to said city
JAMES z Mort, Mayor
JOHN REIMERs,
c. ] LARKlN,
GEO. W. HENRY,
Finance Committee.
Attest: ROBERT KoEHLER. City Clerk
REFORM WORK.
Cramers defalcation furnishes more
evidence of the great need for reform in
public positions throughout the country.
1t shows the danger and folly of keeping
one man continually in positions of trust,
where he is allowed to handle large sums
of public money year after year, without
an examination of his accounts The
people of Rock Island can now readily
see the great good that has been achieved
by a democratic administration, which
has so thoroughly unearthed the, fraudu-
lent transactions of the ex-su superintendent
OF the waterworks, and made him return
every penny that did not belong to him.
The thanks of the citizens should be ten.
dered to Mayor Mott, who has been indie
fagitable in his efforts to serve the city
and conduct its business as he would his
own private affairs. Although great in
fuence and force of argument was
brought to bear, for the purpose of hav-
ing Cramer retained, he positively refused,
and was actually compelled to turn him
out. Even after another appointment
was made Cramer hung on with tenacity
that was remarkable. Had not Mayor
Mott been elected, 1t is impossible to
determine in what condition the accounts
of the waterworks would have been to-
day.
VIGOROUS PROSECUTION.
How viii the settlement of Cramer's
affairs with the city, affect the cases
against him in the circuit court?" asked an
ARGUS representative of Mayor Mott this
morning.
As far as the prosecution is concern
ed, d" replied the mayor at will not affect
that in the least, He will be prosecuted
just the same as though hehad not settled.
That does not diminish his guilt any"
What attorneys will conduct the pros
ecution2"
States Attorney Parmenter has it in
charge and he will be assisted by Judge
Wilkinson, who was engaged by the city
some time ago"
Il hear some of the members Of the
council wished to withdraw Judge Viii
kinson, now that the money had been
paid"
There was sight disposition to let
the matter go by default but we will not
60 back on the states attorney at this
stage of the proceedings. When he took
the matter first under advisement, we
promised to give him all the aid required.
Other matters have claimed greater part
of his time, and he, knowing that he was
to have assistance, probably did not give
the case that attention which he otherwise
would have done. So to withdraw our
counsel now would be virtually abandon
ing the csae, and doing an injustice to
Mr.. Parmeuter.