The record-union., 1893-08-25
IRVINE WANTS HIS MONEY.
The Assessor Win Not Surrender His
Index Books.
Tax Collections Can Not be Made With
out Them-An Interesting Fight
Between County officials.

A three-cornered battle opened up yes
terday between the Supervisors, Sheriff
ONeil and Assessor Irvine
The Sheriff, it appears, in his capacity
of Tax Collector, wants to begin work
pretty soon, and is making himself fa-
miliar with the books turned over by the
Assessor. He discovered that the two
little index books were missing, and as
1t would be impossible for him to make
the collections without them, he sent Dep
uty Weinrich to the Assessor to make in
quiries. Mr.. Irvine informed the deputy
that the books were his own personal
property-they didn't belong to the
county,:and he'd be dinged if he would
surrender them.
Deputy Weinrich reported to his su-
perior and council of war was held. 1t
was finally resolved to appeal to the Su-
pervisors, as that body was in session.
Accordingly the deputy told Chairman
morrison all about it, aud that gentleman
brought it before the board in open ses-
sion. The whole trouble, he said, was
about Mr.. Irvine's bill for making up the
index books. The Assessor had put in a
bill for $3.50 for the books, and because
the hoard had refused to pay the bill, he
had withheld the books. Mr.. Morrison
said he had legal opinion from Attorney
J. w. Hughes to the effect that Mr.. Irvine
hadjno right to charge for the books. He
considered that the index books belonged
to the county, and he believed in in
structing the Sheriff to take them. Mr..
Morrison said this rather significantly.
County Clerk Hamilton looked up
somewhat surprised and said Mr.. Irvine
had turned all his books over to him, in
cluding the index books. He in turn had
turned them over to the Auditor, as the
law requires, and Auditor Johnson's
duty was to turn them over to the Tax
Collector.
'Mr. johnson hasn't got the books"
declared Deputy Weinrich.
Il gave them to him. reiterated the
County Clerk. 81 didn't propose that
the Supervisors should jump onto my
back"
"WelI, send for Mr.. Johnson" said
Chairman Morrison.
Mr.. johnson soon arrived and ac-
knowledged that he received the books.
And he guessed he had them yet. ''They
were there fifteen minutes ago." he said.
but you see, under the law l must leave
them out so that anybody who chooses to
can inspect them. Somebody might walk
of with them" Mr.. Johnson said all
this in most pleasant and atfable way.
This seemed 10 set every body at ease,
and Deputy Weinrich departed joyously.
But there is some mystery somewhere
Although Mr.. johnson said he had the
books, Assessor Irvine says he is the
holder of them. you bet rve got the
books" he said subsequently to REC
oRD-UNIoN reporter, land what's more.
Pm going to hold on to them. They are
mine, and I'd like to see anybody take
them from me-"
How did you get them?" asked the
reporter.
"Never mind, now," he replied, as he
winked the other eye. ''pve got them all
right enough. Who has better right to
them? l had to buy them, and had to
pay for the work on them. If the county
wants them let it pay my bill. The
county has always paid for them before,
and will have to now. The Tax Col
lector can't possibly make his collections
without these books. Oh, there are no
bugs on me-"
The outcome of the rumpus will be
waited for with interest