The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-02-17
Why the clallam Commission
ers Want to Hire Counsel.
IN ORDER TO SUE THE eoNDsmEn
0n $4,000 of Paper Held by the
Treasurer $1,000 Is Collectible.
The Eamiston Jury, Contrary to Ex-
pectafious, Is Unable to Agree, and
Is stifl Out successful shipment OF
Fish to New York.

Port Angeles, Feb. ls.-Speciai.-
County Prosecuting Attorney Stewart
and the county commissioners have
growE tired OF corxaaiing their real
motives In mourning an expense of
nearly s1.ooo IN the matter concerning
the defaleations of ex-Treasurer NJ. j.
CIurap X now appears that CIump's
shortage occupied a place OF minor i'm
poytanee in taeir deliberations and that
the First National bank. Of this cgty,
was their real point OF assault The
local press and many taxpayers have
bitterly condemned the action of the
board Of commissioners In apparently
spending 5000 TO collect a debt of
$4,000, and In order To explain his true
position County Attorney Stewart called
last evening on the Post-Intelligencer
correspondent and made In substance
the following statement:
The afiirnus which prompted the
commissioners to employ Seattle al
torney at an expense OF 81 800 To the
county was that they considered the
the $4,000 in securities turned over to
the county In lieu OF cash by the First
National bank TO DE worth about Sc, 900,
nTefit. as made by the former board OF
eomna ssioners, and collect the entire
amount from Ciunap's bondsmen. Mr..
stewart claims that the last board of
commissioners had no authority In law
to accept anything but cash from the
county treasurer and that there is no
precedent giving them the right to ef-
feet any such settlement; he rs also of
the opinion that eventually the boads-
men can be made to disgorge. despite
the fact that their wives did not sign
the bonds. and that the county viii re-
ceivs the entire sum due IT,
1t appears in the contract drawn be-
tween Mr.. Stewart and Attorney Mil
ier. Of Seattle. that it is especially stap-
uiated that the latter shall take no part
IN the rros secution of III. J. Cgump. In
the settlement made by the bank with
the county the cashier has made the
statement that he submitted all the se-
cuT9ies held by the bank to the inspee-
ton OF the beard and gave them the
privilege of accepting such as in their
Judgment they considered the most de-
sir1ble. ard that had the commission
ers declined to make a settlement and
hands Of a receiver the county would
have Jared far worse. But the plans Of
the commissioners are likely to prove
abortive as an injunction has been filed
restraining them from issuing a war
rant for attorneys fees, and even
should they succeed in killing the in
Junction, a second would be flied re-
strair'ng the treasurer from paying the
warrant when presented, and this action
would be likely to affect other warrants
issued In excess of the amount allowed
by law, thus involving sum Of about
10000 and working q hardship on
many innocent warrant holders.
County Clerk Richardcon has fled an
injunction restraining the treasurer
from cashing salary warrants other
than those issued to county officials. II
he's been the practice OF some OF the
officials to give orders to merchants on
their salaries before they become due.
and the warrants were made out in
favor OF the merchants Large sums
have been issued In this manner. and
they will all he affected, providing the
injunction holds water.