Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1889-01-24
Bfl1ltuttt GItrnntrle+
THURSDAY, JANUARY "A, 1889.
4 ROLD ADNLSSLON

in these columns to the apparent indif-
ference to law of boards of all kinds, and
the resulting extravaganza and waste OF
public money. This is one of the most
serious questions that confronts the peo-
pie to-day-its proper solution a matter
of tremendous Importance. 1t reaches
away beyond the money of the people
unlawfully diverted, debauches all men
who come within its corrupting influ-
ence, and saps the very foundations of
society itself. Let it once be understood
that the crime of diverting public money
from the use for which it was raised will
be tolerated by the people, and nothing of
value will be safe, in the hands of bank
ers or trustees, or any one else, honor and
truth and uprightness among men will
become legend, and licentiousness and
greed and extravaganza will rule. Once
Rome was the mightiest power on the
globe, her eagles supreme wherever civ
ilization had penetrated; but her public
men became licentious and Indifferent to
the responsibilities of Office and their OBJ
legations to the people, and the proudest
republic of antiquity was blotted from the
map of the world.
We had supposed that no man elected
or appointed to Office in Ohio was ready
to admit that he is breaker, but, it
seems, we were mistaken. A convention
of County Commissioners was held at the
city of Columbus last week. Just what
occasion Commissioners have for such
conventions is not apparent to the aver
age citizen, nor have the people had the
opportunity to read reports of their de-
liberations. This (from the Columbus
correspondence of the Cincinnati Com
nercial- Gazette of the 18th inst.) will be
read with interest:
The County Commissioners, at their
session to-day, elected the following of
ficers: President, NJ. A. Walton, Greene;
First Vice President, Andrew Smith, Har-
rison; Second President, Andrew
DOdds, Hardin; Third Vice President,
James Campbell, Athens; Secretary, Nor
riS Cope, Belmont; Assistant Secretary,
j. B. Hunter, Montgomery; Treasurer,
Lewis MoOrehead, Franklin; Correspond
ing Secretary, R. z. Dawson, Franklin.
AT the afternoon session a sort of a
bOmbshell was thrown in the offering of
motion that the sentiment of the aSSO
citation be in favor of obeying the strict
est letter of the law in their proceedings
as County Commissioners. The member
introducing it said it was brought out by
remarks during the morning, indicating
that the law was not always complied
with. A motion was quickly made to
table it, amid considerable animated talk,
but several demonstrated and the motion
was lost. 1t was finally placed on file.
A member offered resolution express
ing the sentiment that boards of Com
missioners should obey the laws. An
other quickly made motion to table it,
much animated talk followed, and the
motion was finally placed on file, what
ever that may mean. 1t is comfort to
know that it was not pitched out the
window, instead.
Is it possible the members of the State
Convention of County Commissioners
have never read the Constitution of Ohio?
Every one of them is required to take
solemn oath to support it. Here is pro-
vision which they should have framed
and conspicuously posted in their offices,
and pasted in their hats, too:
"NO MONEY SHALL BE DRAWN FROM
ANY COUNTY OR TOWNSHIP TREASURY
EXCEPT BY AUTHORITY OF LAW"
That section is in full force, and is
binding upon all Commissioners; and yet
motion to respect and obey it is quickly
met with a motion to table. Is any man
so blind he can not see the drift of things?
Can any good citizen afford to be indif-
ferent about such spectacleF Are the
people to understand that Commission
ers of counties are above Legislatures |
and Constitutions, and above the People |
who create Constitutions and Legisla-
lures and Commissioners? If not, why
object to such a resolution? why much
animated talk? why place it on file?
Men and brethren the dangerous ten
dency of indifference to law and the OBJ
legations of Office must be checked, or it |
will crush you and your children. 1t is
foe more dangerous than treason and
rebellion, because more insidious. The
press must thunder against 1.-THE pull
pit should thunder against it-and good
men everywhere should stand loyalty to-
gether in demanding respect for law and .
the obligations and responsibilities men
take upon themselves when they assume
public Office.
THAT WON'T DO.
The Trustees and Clerk of Richland |