The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1892-10-28
Economy?
MIR. EDIroR:,

MIR. EDIroR:-
The Owosso Press of the 18th inst con-
tanned an uncalled for mud Singing article,
relating to the economy of the present county
clerk, comparing his charges with his prede-
cessOrs, stating that he had saved the county
$341 In the matter of extra clerk hire alone.
The statement was so untrue. slanderous and
misleading that people said surely there
must be some mistake, that 1t must have
been without the knowledge or sanction of
Mr.. Beard, although made in his behalf and
| for his benefit, and ii he wishes to be fair
and honest, will contradict and correct the
statement In the next issue, but the next
issue came, and thu next, until it has ap-
peared i'm three successive papers and no
contradiction from Mr.. Beard. l take it for
granted that he considers the article as his
own, and that said statement was made and
published with his consent and approval. /
have always been and am still very reluctant
to Obtrude myself upon the attention OF
the people, but under existing circumstances
l feel that have Just provOcation which is
my only apology for doing so, which
think in the minds of fair minded men of
all political parties is q sufficient one.
believe as far as political parties are con-
cerned however much they may differ on
other points, are i'm the main in favor OF fair
play, and when a candidate for any political
Office makes or allows to be made in his be-
half any statement that cannot be substan-
tiated by facts, sandering or villifying
neighbOr, for the purpose of bolsterlng up
his own cause, the calm Judgment OF an
enlightened and thinking people will con-
sign that man and candidate to the destiny
he so richly deserves. The idea of economy
is laudable one, if man is honest in his
claims, and they are not made for the sake
of personal or political gains merely. What
are the facts in this case?
First, the board of supervisors twas unan-
imously in favor of paying me for extra
clerks hire $242, no more, no less. The
Press says 1858, or $111 more than the
actual amount. will leave it to the people
to say who has told a falsehoOd.
On the other hand this same Press says
that Beard has only received $1,000. While
the records show that up to the 10th of
January last, trifie over one year, he has
received from the county as County Clerk,
In addition to his salary, the sum of 1924 .6S,
and that in the face of the following resOlu-
ton adopted by the board Oct. 81, 1890,
short time before Beard took the office:
"Whereas, we deem the several salaries of
the officers to be ample payment for all
services rendered.; therefore be it Resolved,
that claims for extra clerks hire will not be
allowed any of the county officers" Voters
and taxpayers, what do you think of such
sniveling, whining, hypocritcal cry of econ
omy? A county officer pleading the "baby
act" in parading his name before the public
asking for praise and credit for not doing
something that the board distinctly said that
he should not do? and still managing to line
his pockets with $224.6S in one year and 10
days. Don't you think it shame and
fraud, and that there has been an attempt
made to deceive you? The article in ques-
ton not only does great injustice to me, but
is a direct insult to the board of supervisors,
rejecting upon their ability and integrity,
and more honorable board never existed.
When they allowed my bills for extra clerks
hire they were right, it had been customary
for years to allow such claims, and con-
slider it right and just for clerk to be par
TALLY reimbursed for necessary extra clerk
hire, and l believe the people are not in
favor of farming OIt the county offices to
the lowest bidder, but are willing to pay
reasonable sum for having the offices run by
competent persons, and having them open
early and late for the accommodation of the
public. T,:ere are certain duties of clerk
for which fees are allowed and fixed by
statute, over which the board of supervisors
have no control, for which services l was
paid during my two years 1906, or $14S per
year. l will close this already too long
article by asking my friends who have
known me as boy and man, to cast their vote
so as to place the stamp of condemnation
upon this attempt at mud singing, and re-
buke the insult and injury want0nly
offered the board of supervisors and myself,
by triumphantly electing that upright,
honorable man, Duane G.. Cooper, to the
office of county clerk.
Yours very respectfully,
LESTER j. KENNEY.
Corunna, Oct. 81 1892.