The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1893-10-26

puDliSHeT Vi luc OlilZen Unanclal
sufferer. The Treasurer knew that
the matter of publishing the report
had not been ordered by the board,
and that the board would probably
not pay for it, and that the authority
to publish it was not vested in him,
and that he made those representa-
tons to the Citizen publisher entirely
on his own responsibility; therefore
he should see that Mr. Elton does
not become a victim and a sufferer
(the only sufferer) from his Orchard
son's) business. Mr. Elton faithfully
performed the work given him. Ii
was laborious and costly work and he
is justly entitled to compensation
from some one. Two thirds of the
report was utterly obsolete, so far as
giving the county's financial condition
was concerned, and would be an I'M
warranted expense had the board itself
ordered it, but whether right or wrong,
Elton should not be defrauded of the
just reward of his labor. Neither
does it seem that the board should
recognize the right of any officer to
usurp powers delegated to the board
alone or pay outlandish bills con-
tracted through such officiousness,
even though it WAS along a line where
the board had fiagrantly ignored its
own duties. 1t is true that it was the
only full and clear report that has
been published for long time.
Auditor Smith is not in the habit OF
making up reports that are not full
and clear But at the same time the
whole report could just as concisely
be given in two newspaper columns
at less than one-half the cost. The
whole thing presents most ridicu-
lous picture of one mans vainglory
and eagerness to parade himself in
an official light and build up huge
pedestal OF figures on which to stand
to be admired. The report was given
to the commissioners AS the "Joini
Report of Auditor and Treasurer, y
and from such reports, which the law
requires made in all counties, the
"Semi- Annual Report of - Coun-
ty' is compiled and published. The
treasurer, evidently to give out the
impression that he was the sole au.
thor, compiler and proprietor of thai
report, and to show the public wha'
a wonder he was when it came tc
singing mass Of figures, and how
readily he had the county affairs a
his finger ends, published the repor
as "County Treasurer's Report, witt
his name attached; at least that i,
the only tenable explanation of NJ
Richardson's self-assuring eagernesl
to get the report before the people
In fact, his haste was such that h,
did not stop to think how peopl,
would smile to see him reporting Oh
delinquent taxes, something
treasurer never yet had anything Il
do with. All this does not, however
cover up the breach Of duty on tn,
part of the commissioners. Whil
we are amused at the pomp of Rich
ardson, we also condemn the com
missioners for failing to make tn,
semi-annual reports of the count,
finances to the people who are sup
plying these finances. While tn
treasurer cannot order report pub
lished, we do not say it should no
be done by the proper authorities, bu
just the contrary. This is the onl,
county in the state of Idaho wher,
, regular semi-annual reports are no
! published. When Cuddy was in h,
never had but one wee small estate
ment' printed, and now that Hit
Mickey and Leighton are in they hav,
done not as much. The law reads
that ''the commissioners have iuris
diction and power to publish semi
annual report, etc. y but because i
does not use the word s'MUsT" anC
specify penalty, they claim it OPP
tional and refuse to do so. The Law
is recognized as imperative in ever,
other county, and is carried out il
this, as well as in the matter of Civ
ing full report of proceedings. Il
is recognized that the law plainly in
tended that when people are taxed
: they should know how the money il
applied; and when they employ
board of commissioners to do til,
county business, they should b.
; given full report of their acts an,
money disbursements after each meet
+ ing. We hope in the future tina
even though the law does not speal
positive enough to Salty the board
they will do what they can easily Sc
, it intended for them to do, and pub
, fish the report, and that if it is give
Mr.. Elton it will be promptly pal,
for; though in the present case a
absurd proceeding on the part of a
over anxious individual should not b
! foisted on the county, to pay far NOR
than the proper thing would hay