Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1891-08-21
The County Finances.

MEssRs. EDIToRs:-When informed
that the county commissioners had pub
lished "a statement" l, in company with
other taxpayers, hunted up county paper
and turned to the Statement only to be
disappointed by finding statement OF griev-
ance by two of the county commissioners,
instead of full and complete statement of
the county finances, made by authority of
the whole board.
NJ John Humphrey, the actuary and
attorney for the board of the county COM
missioners, first complains of some imag-
mary misstatement made by some of the
county papers, in that they stated that
there was $12, 900 county bonds due Sep
tember | This of course was an error,
which Mr.. Ii. could have corrected by tell
ing the whole truth, viz: That there is
SIC, 900 past due last March and not yet
paid, which added to the $4,000 due Sep
tember l would make. 81, 900 past due and
due September l, 1891 Mr.. Humphry
knew that in making The financial state
ment for 1890 he had led those who had a
right to know TO believe that the county
had assets amounting to $37, 900, when
there was less than 90, 600, there being at
that time s15, 600 of bonds outstanding, and
he counting -, ,036 95 as an asset that ex-
listed only in mind of this actuary of the
county commissioners.
This actuary also bubbles over the cost
of the Center ayenue bridge. 1t is imma-
terial to the taxpayer what any particular
part of the structure cost, but it will be
news to some of them to learn that it Will
cost $40, 900 when fully completed-not
SIS, 900, as might be inferred from reading
the statement (of grievance) from 1.-TWO of
the commissioners. Mr.. Humphrey should
have taken pride in making the price as
much as the circumstances would permit
since his name in large letters is on this
really fine bridge. In addition to the
SIC. 600. this bridge will cost the county
and remember, think it proper structure
and worth to the county what 1t costs-I
wish to call the attention of the taxpayers
to the fact that Mr.. Humphrey would
not listen to those who did know
and who informed him that if he caused
or permitted certain supports of the old
bridge to be removed, itwould fall, ordered
them cut off, saying he would risk his own
Judgment He ordered the supports cut
and down went the bridge. AS adistingu-
ished Butler attorney stated the case: The
commissioner is philosopher; he wished
to ascertain whether the attraction of the
earth or that of the moon was the strong
er; so he put the question to practical
test, and demonstrated that the earth's
attraction was the more powerful of the
two" Mr.. Taxpayer, it cost you $240 to
keep up temporary foot bridge until the
new bridge would be put up; in addition
to this it cost the travelling public some
5000 toll money 10 pass over the pontoon
bridges built by Mr.. Beach and others.
Mr. Beach informed me that he alone took
in $3.50. This does not take into account
the loss suffered by business men in the
vicinity, and the great inconvenience ex-
perienced by a populous community.
This legal light from Billsburg, Mr. J Ohm
Humphrey, and his electioneering com
panion Kiskaddon, from Allegheny town
ship, undertake the task also of instruct
ing me as to the law and my duty relative
to the paying out of unseated land money,
&c. and say, 1--WE are aware that the prac
tice of the present county treasurer and
his predecessors has been to pay the town
ships and boroughs without warrant, but
in doing so they do it at their own risk
and without warrant of law" 1t has been
the practice of my predecessors SO to do
for the last 40 or 30 years, and it appears
to be pretty safe one, since it is AMI has
been done right here at the temple OF law
without question on the part of any one
until the legal light from Billsburg sets
himself up as q lawyer, judge and jury. Mr..
Taxpayer, whenever the court passes upon
this question | shall feel relieved of a
great responsibility, and Will with pleasure
follow its advice in the matter.
I'VE believe we have ample means to
tho Ky bnsinnss of tbe oou1.r y & s.natv,;th
standing assertions TO the contrary" and
to the effect that ''the commissioners have
| not been levying enough taxes to meet the
current expenses of the county" Mr.
Editors the facts are as follows: The ex-