The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1886-03-06
SUPERVISING A STEWARD.
The County Bosrd and the Manage.
ment OF the Poor Farm.

No matter that has come before the
present session of the board Of supervi'
sors has so profoundly agitated that
august body as the question still pending
the poor farm stewardship. And so
much ado about nothing is certainly
sufficient to disgust fair-miRded person,
and especially the taxpayers who will
bear the burden of the folly. In the first
place, the ARGUS does not believe there
is the least particle of ground for Steward
Robertson's removal. What was there
proven in the trial Of Samuel Robertson
for murder to reflect mismanagement up
on the s,ewardP What weight did the
testimony of those people, who were evil
IDENTIFY combined against the steward who
had done no more than use discipline
with them, have with the jury? There
never was public institution where the
inmates would not testify against the
''boss," as they call him, if they were
given an opportunity. The only wits
nesses whose testimony might be cons
strued as against the steward. was that OF
the paupers, and it is upon this, which
was ignored bv the jury as a murder case
that the board of supervisors are going to
put the county to still greater expense
than they have already been To, accom-
plish nothing.
II is all right as long Us there has beer
petition offered asking Robertson's re-
moval, to make an investigation. But is
not the steward under bonds for the
faithful performance of duty3 There
is on file in the county clerks Office The
following instrument:
Know all men by these presents: That
we, James Robertson, T. u Thomas
and Leopold Simon, of the city OF
Rock Island, county of Rock Island, anC
state of Illinois, are held and firmly bound
unto the people of the state of Illinois III
the sum of five thousand ($5, 900 dollars
for the payment whereof. well and truly
to be made, we bind ourselves, our heirs
executors and administrators, jointly ant
severally, firmly by these presents.
Witness our hands and seals this l9lh
day of December A. D.. 1885. The con,
dilions of the above obligation is such
that
WHEREAS, The above bondsman
James Robertson, having been appointe,
steward of the poor house and poor farm o
said Rock Island county, if he shall faith
fully perform all the duties which are o.
may be required, to be performed by hin
as steward of said Rock Islam,
county, state of Illinois, ant
shall pay over all moneys that may com
into his hands by virtue of his office a
steward, into the county treasury whel
required by the board of supervisors, ant
when he shall be succeeded in office, shall
surrender and deliver over to his success
sor in office all books, papers, none vs.
and other things belonging to said county
and appertaining to his said office; ther
the above bond to be void. Otherwise tC
remain in full force.
Now if said James Robertson shall per
form all the covenants above mentioned
then this obligation TO be void, otherwise
10 remain in full force and effect.
JAMES ROBERTSON.
T. II. THOMAS,
LEOPOLD SIMON.
Signed and delivered in presence of r
A. Donaldson, county clerk.
Why 60 behind this? Here is pledg
for the faithful performance of duty
highly endorsed and there is nothing TO
the board Of supervisors to do but to Sc,
that the provisions thereof are respecte,
and abided by. This is very easy to as
certain, but there seems TO be an enmity
towards Robertson among certain of tht
board and these members are bound an(
determined that he shall be removed
VIII ether there be cause or not Much tim,
and money have already been expended
in this matter. The proceedings of IN,
recent trial were fairly given in the dali!
press at the time. II there was anything
there to warrant Mr.. RobertsOn's dis,
charge, the files are accessible upon five
minutes notice. 1t would not take hal
a day to make the entire investigation
and report.
The committee will learn nothing new
by visiting the poor farm, and only entail
additional needless expense to the county
The board adjourned at noon until {
week from next Wednesday, and in tn,
meantime the committee will investigate
the poor farm stewardship and report a
that meeting.