Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1885-01-10
THE NEW COMMISSIONERS.
Unofficial Proceedings Of Their
First Meeting. 4.

THE NEW COMMISSIONERS.
Unofficial Proceedings Of Their
First Meeting.
There was considerable interest mani
tested when the new board of county
commissioners came together last Tues
day, and Register Percivars room was
we'll filled with spectators. The new
commissioners dropped in one at time
and the INrER-OcEAN scribe, who had
taken a position on the corner of high
desk, made mental photograph of them.
When the party from the second
district (who resides in the third)
caromed OH our camera, we discovered
that the instrument was too small too
take in his high forehead. We have sent
for new machine, and will attempt to
take him while he is in the throes of his
peculiar "hitch" scratching his ear with
his right shoulder.) Messrs. Barton and
Rumney were easily photographed. The
party from the second (who resides
in the third) was not accompanied by
counsel.
After great suspense on the part OF
Judge Bennett, who was anxious to settle
with the county, the hand of time
thuched the point Of two, and the
party from the second (who resides in
the third), by reason of his ambition to
pose as chairman pro tenn of the board
for one or two minutes, called Messrs.
Barton and Rumney to order, and it was
good thing that he did, for Judge Ben
nett had Mr.. Barton in corner and was
getting ready to recite to the commits
sioner one Of his celebrated decisions.
Prior to this, however, the party from
tho second wv. r. i. t. 3d) had asked
Register Percival if there was spare
room about the premises where the board
meeting could be held in private. The
Register smiled audibly and replied that
the law expressly required that the
meetings be held publicly so that the
light of day and the INTER-OcEAN
camera might shine upon the proceed
ings. The party from the second very
cunningly shifted the responsibility
of this "bull' upon Mr.. Rumneys
shoulders by saying that the latte,
must have been mistaken about the
star chamber" business, leaving the
impression upon the audience and hiz-
zoner Judge Bennett that the idea of q
secret session originated with Mr.. Rum
| ney. This is considered one Of the
"slickest' things the party from the sec.
ond ever did, and leather medal will
be duly issued.
Mr.. Rumney was elected permanent
chairman, but great many people think
that Mr.. Barton should have been given
the place, by courtesy, he being the old.
est member and representing the largest
and most important district. However,
Mr.. Rumney performed the service we'll
and will make good chairman.
The party from the second district
then suggested that q newspape,
be chosen in which to publish the pro.
ceedings of the board and other legal and
necessary advertising coming within the
province of the board. He moved that
the News, which heartily damned him
three months ago, but which bent the
pregnant hinges of the knee and fawned
upon him last week, be made the official
paper. Seconded by Chairman Rumney
Mr.. Barton suggested that it would be
the part of economy to give the publica-
ton Of the proceedings to the lowest bid
der, but the party from the second re.
marked that he had been in the bust.
ness and knew that the price allowed
by law for such publications barely COW
cred the expense Of the printer. In the
next breath he said he didn't know any
thing about the printing business, which
is probably true, as the profit in pub
fishing the proceedings of the board Is
about 300 per cent.
The party from the second then
brought up the question ~ to whore
the treasurer should deposit the coun-
ty moneys. He thought the funds
should be given to the bank Offering the
highest rate of interest aqd affording the
best security.
Mr.. Barton was Of opinion that the
treasurer was under bonds for the safe
keeping Of the county funds and would
no doubt place them to the best advant-
age.
The party from the second want
ed to know If the treasurer's bondsmen
had justified yet, and being informed
that there had been no justification in the
case, he buried himself in the code (be-
ing unaccompanied by counseD to the
evident annoyance of Judge Bennett,
who stepped on Register Percival's
cream-colored dogs tail, to the great an
noyance Of the dog.
When the canine howls had subsided
the party from the second laid down
the code and asked permission to m axe
few remarks upon the county attor-
ney's salary. He said there was no
! doubt that term of court would be held
in this city next spring, and the county
should pay its attorney salary COM
mensurate with his ability and the
amount of work he would be called upon
to perform.
Mr.. Barton thought it would be diff
cult now to estimate what the extent of
the attorneys work might be.
The party from the second suggest
ed that we might have another trag-
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