Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1893-12-16
THE LEAvEN WORKS.

The report OF the condition OF Custer
county, made by the grand jury, and
published in the CHRoNIcLE Of two
weeks ago, is attracting attention in all
portions of the county, and there is an
excellent prospect that the thorough,
honest work done by the grand jury
will result in change for the better.
The following extracts from editorials
which appeared in the Hermosa Pilot
and Buffalo Gap Republican, of the 9Th
inst probably give fair idea Of the
feeling of the citizens of the foot hills.
The Pilot says:
"The stern necessity for keeping coun-
ty expenses down 20 the low est point is
apparent from the report made by the
grand jury. In county affairs we have
reached a place where it is the impera-
tive duty of everyone having any man
ngement Of county matters TO execute
the most exacting economy and vigil
ance. The Pilot compliments the mem.
bers of the grand jury upon. tbe thor
ough manner in which they performed
their duty, and now that ways are
pointed out by them it will be easier for
county officers to act"
The Republican summarizes the re-
port and comments as follows:
In another column we publish the re-
port of the grand jury at their last ses
sion. 1t touches on many subjects that
are of vital interest to the taxpayers Of
this county, and shows where large sums
of money have been paid out illegally,
TO fh.a hAt Of IF btl
the taxpayers have had to foot the bills,
and that too while the disbursements
during the past year has exceeded the
receipts by SlS,964.SS 1t has been a
known fact that for the last year and a
half the county commissioners have
been charging and receiving from the
age, when in session, which has amount
ed to far more than the law allows At
1891 session of the legislature a law
passed fixing the salary of county CON-
missioners as follows:
That no county commissioner shall
receive more than sl25.00 as per diem,
nor more than $1,000 as mileage during
any one year"
In plain violation of the above law
they have received. according to the
ls
las a whole, when they should have re-
ceived not to exceed $42225 an over
charge Of 1851 20. The report shows
that duridg the passed year the expen-
ditures have exceeded the receipts by
SlS064.SS; that the commissioners have
allowed warrants for commissions on
the sale of $50. 900 worth of county bonds
to the amount Of 81 .695 90, without any
l.xu fn ,.yl.
that from the sale of the bonds the
county received but S2S, ,305, when. with
the accrued interest at the time of the
sale, the county should have received
in cash $50 $50 80; that the county
treasurer was allowed a warrant for
500 for commission for receiving and
disbnrsing the money arising from the
sale of said bonds. but was afterwards
credited to The special salary fund that
the county assessor charged the county
and was allowed bill for POS days SER
vices at IS per day. when the law allows
but S3 per day-an overcharge of $40.
Ii the above are facts, ard We have no
reason TO doubt them, il is no wonder
the county is running behind. and its
about time halt was called in the way
the business Of the county is being con-
Quoted. The affairs of the county should
receive the most rigid examination. and
a summary stop put to the illegal distri-
button of the county funds Under
present circumstances its hard enough
for the people to pay their taxes with
out being called upon to pay illegal and
exorbitant bills.
AS the CHRONICLE said some weeks
ago, there is need of change Of policy
in the administration of the connty's
affairs. And our present financial con-s
ditiop, and the circumstances of the
people, make it imperative that the
needed change be made at once. There
is only one thing that wi save us from
the slough of almost hopeless indebted
ness, and that is economy. Not a penny
wise, pound foolish policy, but one of
practical economy, which shall govern
all along the line, and which will finally
restore the county to a normal condi-
ton, financially. 1t must be adopted
by every official, and every citizen
should conscientiously assist in making
its execution possible. We believe that
Custer county has corps of officials,
whose ability and integrity cannot be
questioned, and this being the case, the
time is ripe for the Inauguration Of
reform. Let business methods be OBJ
served in every department. Let coun-
ty dollars be made to 60 just as far as
individual dollars do. Then taxes will
90 down, and warrants up.