Omaha daily bee., 1889-10-27
THE COUNTY COMMISSIONERS.
Editor Vauphn's Tex List Bill Once
More Before the Board.
ATTORNEY MAAoNEY's OPINION
Anderson prccipitates Another wran-
gle In Connection with Affairs In
Clerk Roche's Onice-Appro-
priations aud Bids.
The Tax List.

The county commissioners held their
weekly wrangle yesterday afternoon. They
were all present and the atmosphere was
sulphurous at short intervals. Several mat
ters were brought up which caused cousld-
erable discussion.
The county attorney returned the cummu-
ncation of the Democrat Publishing COM
pany which had been referred to him, and
stated that, after an examination of the
contract and the bid which was, by the
terms Of tho contract, made a part thereof,
he is of the opinion that the company had
agreed to publish the tax list, three nser-
tions, for ga and so cents per description,
and also stated that the contractor has no
claim against the county except for the price
contracted for whether reasonable or un-
reasonable.
An opinion from w. ]. Connell was sub
mitted by the Democrat publisher. The
chairman objected to having this read, as it
was not addressed to the board. Mr..
Vaughn asked that it be read anyhow but
MIR. Mount told him to take il to a court and
not bring it into the board, which was not a
court. AT the request of the members it
was read. The opinion was based on the
opinion of Messrs.. Cannon, Rreck
& Shea, which is directly con-
trary to the opinion OF the county
attorney. Mr.. Connell qualified his opinion
by saying he had not seen the bid, but
thought the contract called for ga and So
| for each insertion.
AS q matter of fact, the contract does not
| specify the number of insertions, but the
| bid, which is made a part of the contract,
| distinctly states that the figures quoted are
for three insertions
| A communication was received from the
| ticket agent of the Wabash railway, asking
| that the commissioners allow their claim of
s94.95 for the transportation of the insane
| prisoner, Jack the Ripper" to New York.
| The amount covers the cost of two tickets to
| New York anu one return ticket. This IS
| the result of Commissioner Turner's junket,
when he accompanied Jailor Joe Miller to
| New York in charge of Jack the Ripper.
| Anderson moved that the amount be
| allowed, but O'Keeffe protested against the
payment. He said it was establishing very
| bad precedent to allow such accounts.
Turner wedged in side remark to the
| effect that il any claim were allowed this
| one should be.
The clam was put to vote and carried all
| the members voting for it except O'Keeffe.
| who wanted his protest recorded.
A request was received from the Hebrew
| Benevolent society requesting $50 to be used
| in purchasing tickets to San Francisco for n
| man, wife and eight children. O'Keefe re-
marked that it would be more reasonable to
| allow this than to allow such claim as the
| last one. 1t was referred to the committee
on charity.
| Two bids were received for grading in sec
| tion %, 16, 12 as follows: Cowan & Hail.
| 1873 cents per cubic yard; James Taylor,
| 17lG cents. They were referred.
Clerk F. f. Moores submitted his report
| of fees collected during the quarter ending
! September 30, amounting to Sl6l
A resolution with long preamble was in
| troduced by Anderson, which precipitated a
| wrangle The resolution recited the fact that
| the law makes it the duty of the county clerk
| to make out estimates for books, blanks, ETC.,
and that the commissioners by resolution,
| directed the county clerk to procure blank
| tax receipts IN accordance with the require
ments of the law, which the clerk has failed
| to do. 1t concluded:
"Resolved That the matter be referred
| to the county attorney with instructions to
take the necessary measures to enforce said
| resolution"
O'Keeffe excitedly exclaimed that the
clerk was under bonds to perform his duty,
| and it was unnecessary to have the county
| take such action. 1t had not been done be-
| fore, aud he thought the gentleman was
| very personal in his insinuations against the
county clerk.
Anderson stated that he was well aware
| that there were many things which had not
been done by the commissioners in former
years, but the law was very plain, and he
proposed to see that it is complied with as
| far as lay in his power.
O'Keeffe remarked that it had never been
necessary to call grand Jury to sit on the
commissioners before.
County Clerk Roche asked to be allowed
| to make statement to the board, but An
derson objected and his objection was sus-
| tanned by Chairman Mount, Notwithstanding
O'Keeffe's protest against the gag law''
being enforced.
County Surveyor Howes submitted plan
| for sewerage for the county hospital, which
was referred to the committee on construc-
tion with power to act.
Appropriation sheet No. 20, of the general
fund, came up for the second reading This
| is the sheet on which the Democrats bill of
s70o appeared: On motion of Anderson. this
amount was changed to read S545. IL, and the
appropriation sheet was then passed.
Appropriation sheet No. 81, of the general
fund, amounting to S547.30, was passed.
A number of vouchers for works on roads
and bridges were referred to the proper com
mittees.
A number of small bills was recommended
by the various committees and ordered placed
on the next appropriation sheet.
resolution was passed directing the
county clerk to advertise for bids IN grading
in section 2, 10, 12.
for paving South Twenty-fourth street,
Twentieth street south of Vnton, and
Thirtieth street north from Ames avenue,
was rescinded, and the balance of the 81. 600
set aside for paving South Twenty-fourth
and Vinton streets be used for grading State
street, Florence.
Turner introduced resolution that the
board proceed to the election of an engineer
and superintendent of steam heating and ma
chinery at the new county hospital building,
to take charge of such duties at 500 per
month, and that he is a practical machllst
and engineer. This resolution was referred
back to the committee on construction and
the clerk instructed to notify applicants TO
send in their credentials.
The board then adjourned until Wednes-
day afternoon, at which time they will ap'
point the judges and clerks of election.