The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1885-12-23

ing the entire time. The original plans
were not retained in possession OF the
County Clerk, and were returneds to 81.
Paul, thus opening the way Tor fraud IN
construction.
In place OF $50 barrels OF Portland
cement about fifty barrels OF Louisville
cement were used for the concrete, shaie
substituted in place of dimensioned stone,
the specifications in regard to f~0otlng-stone
disregarded; in fact, the plans and specia-
cations were utterly disregarded, and the
Commissioners, in the face OF public COM
ment, and with no excuse for not De2ng
aware of the fact, allowed this STAINLESS
fraud to proceed.
GROWING PUBLIC SENTIMENT.
Public sentiment at last grew SO strong
that Judge Wade called the attention OF
the Grand Jury to the matter. b GranG
Jury is selected by the County Commls-
sioners, and it was stated at the time That
the Chairman would not select q jury to
indict themselves. 1t is q knOwnfact that
they had strong partisans on this jury, n
yet they were forced to compromise, In
face of the evidence and make a report,
that, while not a legal Indictment. is sub
stantially the same thing; and it is a r TO
assume why they did not at least indict
them for criminal negligence, ii not Tor
worse.
The report OF the jury has already been
published in your columns, and it's severe
structures upon the Commissioners will be
recalled by your readers.
4 glimpse AT THE REPORT
The republication of the following ex-
cerpts will, however, not be uninteresting:
Experienced builders and architects, in whose
Judgment we place much confidence, have been
summoned before us. Not one Of them is willing
to approve ofthe work already done; while a &C.
lect committee, consisting of an archItect, q
builder and a stone cutter, made a formal report
to us, disappearing altogether Of the foundation
and demonstrated to us that a large amount OF
: contractors by their departures from the specifi:
| cations and plans. In fact, the super1ntendent
| for the contractors frankly acknowledges such
departures, believing them of no detriment to
Therefore, after full consideration of this Court
| House matter, we have agreed that justice 10 the
taxpayers demands a careful examination by ex'
We have patiently listened to many witnesses who
| have testified in relation to this new court house
and our own judgment would be to condemn
much of the work done, but we believe 1t TO De a
| question which can be only satisfactorily an
| sWered by the examination and report of experts
| In this belief We make the above recommenda
| ton. And we are free to add that unless 1t is 1Oi
will have a full and accurate knowledge Of tn
way the work has so far been done, we feel tina
we must demand hat the present Board resign
SO as to give the taxpayers a chance to nave
board to represent and act for them III WnlcI
| they have more confidence.
THE COMMISSIONERS TEMPORIzE.
Instead of acting" like men. the Commits
| sioners began to ~finesse, temporize anG
| delay action. As honorable men they had
nothing to fear from their fellow citizens II
| the appointment of the architects suggested
i by the jury as a committee OF experts tt
examine the structure, but il dishones'
everything was at stake what is tn
truth?-An honorable architect and Mr.
Hodgson was kept fully posted as to tn
proceedings and knew of Judge Wade's in
struction, would voluntarily have ap
peared before the Grand Jury and cleanee
his skirts CT all suspicion, instead OF which
he stayed supinelv in st. Paul and waitet
for the clouds to roll by. When he did ap
pear he made a report, as emanating iron
the lirm of Hodgson & Ham, (where hav'
Wallingford & Stein gone to?) which as
compilation OF gross contradictions, is al
! most unworthy of criticism, concluding
/, " 4th a verbal request that they appoint NJ
experts to examine the work until he ha
finally accepted and approved of the pres
ent wall, a request which the Commission
ers readily concurred with.
The first proceeds of the sale of bonds
SIS, 800, has been exhausted, and the Com
missioners have advertised another issue
The foundation walls only are laid, leavin
but SIS, 5000 for the superstructure, am
vet these public servants ~ set at defianc
the will of their masters, the people, as ex
pressed through the Grand Jury--an hon
orable body OF men-whom they then
selves selected, and stand in with a ma
who is either incompetent to estimate tn
cost of a building of his own design, o
whose only desire was to get the commls
sion on the same and leave the result t.
time or friendly chance.
STAND UP, MEssRs. COMMISSIONERS.
Stand up, Mr.. Cuthbert! Stand up, Nj
Pope! aud answer the taxpayers OF Levi
and Clarke! What are your objections t.
a thorough examination OF your action
and of the Court House by experts? Ha
Mr.. Hodgson any hold upon you throug
reason OF any imprudent action on you
part? Are you in his power? Ii not, stan
by the people whom you represent and VIII!
hove shown their confidence inyou by elect
ing you to the high positions you occupy.
Stand up, Messrs. Ryan and Brunton
Do not be made scape-goats OF. Tell tn
people what you know. Let in the light
If you were deceived and roped into tn
contract, acknowledge the fact and trus
yourselves to the mercies OF your fellow
citizens, who will vindicate you and plac
the odium where it belongs.