The Hope pioneer. [volume] (Hope, N.D.) 1882-1964, 1885-03-27
About the Size OF 1t.

HOPE, STEELE Co., ID: T., March 25, 1885.
Editor Hope Pioneer:
Dear Sir: Will you allow citizen of Steele
coun2y who is somewhat interested in the
topics which are at present Of most interest to
our citizens, to utilize a small space among the
columns Of your valuable paper2
l wish to call attention particularly to the
labors of the late board of county commission
ers and the county clerk. There are few peo-
pie outside Of Hope and those brought In con-
tact with these gentlemen through business
connected with the county, that know how
much the county and its citizens are indebted
to every one Of them for the valuable services
they rendered the county at time when it re-
Quired nerve and cool judgment to manage the
county affairs.
The old board consisted of Messrs. P. S.
Mackay, Thomas Ward aud R. W. Berry, with
E. J. Mcmahon as county clerk aud register Of
deeds.
At the time the county commissioners were
appointed, in June Of 1883, by Gov. Ordway,
the county had just been organized. All the
work Of materializing the county, dividing it
into school townships, providing for special
elections Of school officers, opening roads,
building bridges, etc, devolved upon their
shoulders. At this time the orders or warrants
of the county could not be negotiated at any
bank nor would private parties accept Of them.
What did E. j. Mcmahon do-the man who Is
to-day charged with fOrgery-why he simply
pledged his own name to preserve the credit
OF the county. DR.. Hall, of the Fargo Repub-
lican, refused to accept the county orders .un-
less Z. J. Mcmahon would pledge himself for
the payment Of the same, whereupon he did
guarantee the payment of them This was for
books ETC., for the use Of the county. This is
only many such instances. In the transcribing
Of the county records he was obliged to advance
money for the payment Of the same, as tho
parties employed to assist him in the trans
scribing of these records, some five men in all,
he paid in cash taken from his own pocket,
trusting to greater confidence in the stability
of the county and corresponding increase in
valuation Of county orders to reimburse him
self. Was there another man to come forward
at this time and make good the credit Of the
county? Mol Not one man out of hundred
would have hazarded as much for the interest
Of his fellow citizens. At this time there were
two suits pending against the county, one in
stituted by Trail and another by Griggs county.
1t is due to the old board of commissioners that
tho suits were finally dismissed. They employ
ed competent and able counsel at a time when
it was most necessary for the welfare of the
county, said counsel carrying both suits for
ward to a successful issue.
Compare their action with that OF the pres
ent board and what is the conclusion to be
drawn. Simply this. The new board, CON-
posed Of Messrs. J. A. Gray, Stein H. Nelson
and L. G. Goplerud, have run their heads into
moose at the start, by alloying the district at
torney to employ counsel in the matter Of the
injunction placed upon the removal of the
county seat from Hope 10 Sherbrooke, when a
law student Of one years knowledge Of law
| could have seen every point in the case. The
and the writer feels that he could have plead
the case himself The employ. .ng Of this coun-
sci involves this county in an additional debt OF
$4,000, and this is not all. 1t is strongly sus-
pected that the bill Of Col. Thomas for assist
ance in the prosecution Of e. J. Mcmahon will
eventually come out Of the county, the citizena
Of Steele county being taxed to pay the same.
/ tell you, gentlemen, that the prosecution OF
f. J. Mcmahon is piece Of malice prepense,
and like the famous boomerang will only re.
turn upon the heads of ito authors with ton.
fold force, when there will surely be howl in
Rome, and the echo will resound from every
hill in the county Of Steele. Then, and then
only, will the people learn who are their true
servants and benefactorS.
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