The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1886-12-11
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away like the baseless fabric of dream. ;"
The County Board.
The December session of the County
Board was held this week. The session
has not developed much of interest, but a
goodIy record was made nevertheless. The
only change in membership is that Mr.. j.
LAUDER takes the place of Helmig.
PAUPERs.
The treatment of tramps is subject
that worries supervisor anxious to do his
duty by those people as well as the treasu-
ry, and some hesitate TO charge that ex-
pense to the county. As no castiron rule
can be laid down, the supervisor is author
lied to issue aid, exercising his judgment
In each particular case.
Considerable discussion took place as to
pay to be allowed supervisors acting as over
seers of the poor. The statute authorizes
no pay and the county attorney holds this
service must be done gratuitously. Attor-
neys on the Board held that there is moth.
ing to prevent the Boards paying for 1t If
the members choose TO do so, and as pay
has been allowed for this service since 80,
ii was voted to continue it in the future as
In the past.
THE ISSUE OF BONDS.
The matter Of issuing the bonds to pro
vide for the county Indebtedness as author.
lied at the late election came upon reso-
luton of the finance committee, who asked
that the chairman and county treasurer be
authorized to put the issue of $4,000 at 5
per cent on the market, using their best
judgment as to conditions and terms of
sale. Mr. Fisher moved that the rate of
interest be fixed at 4 = per cent, and anoth.
er amendment wanted the amount reduced
to 100000. The discussion resulted in the
adoption of the following;
Resolced, That the county issue bonds to
the amount Of $4,000 at an annual rate Of
interest not to exceed AZ per cent, interest
to be PAID semi-annually, bonds to fall due
as follows $1,000 on Jan. 1893; $4,000
on Jan. /, loJ4; $4,000 on Jan. /, 1895
$4,000 on Jan. |, 1896; $4,000 on Jan. /.
1897.
The placing of the bonds is left with
chairman and treasurer. The chair want
ed authority to increase the rate of interest
to 5 per cent if it proved impossible to sell
them with Az rate. This was refused
but he was authorized to call special SEES
sion If the loan could not be made.
CLERKS ACCOUNTS.
The report of the committee appointed
to examine the clerks books of accounts
reported yesterday. They find in substance
as follows;
/. That the law calls for the making
daily of a record of fees earned thai such
A record is not kept; that alf.yearly re-
ports of earnings are made up from records
files, &c, when necessary, causing an i'm
mense amount Of unnecessary work.
2 That fees earned for making certified
copies are not reported in the earnings,
though the county attorney says they be
long to the county.
B. That witness fees collected by clerks
under their power of attorney not claimed
during their terms of Office are pocketed
by the clerks.
The committee recommend that some
means be devised to remove from clerks
the self-imposed duty of collecting witness
fees; and that they be instructed that un.
less strict compliance with the law is had
both as to the manner and form of keep.
ing the fee book s, the Boards will refuse
70 allow salaries, &c.
The committee further say that having
made thorough examination of county
Jerk Finlen's accounts for the past four
years they ind that officer has overcharg
ID himself and paid into the treasury the
sum of $22 60 more his books showed was
iue to the county, and he was instructed TO
lraw an order In his own favor for that
mount.
PROBATE CLERKS.
The committee say they have found In
he accounts of A. 7. Bartels shortage of |
$500 in addition to that reported in Sep |
ember last; and that only about three
ourth OF their work on these accounts has
leen completed.
As to the accounts of p. W. Stocksleger,
X county and probate clerk, they report
hat, having spent one day on his accounts,
hey found shortage of $l74.43, going
ver but small part of his accounts. They
ay they ARE satisfied that his accounts
ught TO be investigated"