The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1895-02-24

Ere many more days shall have
rolled around the taxpayers of Salt
Lake county will be called upon to
vote bonds for the purpose of funding
the county indebtedness which accord
ing to the decision of the supreme
court, rendered yesterday, cannot le-
gally exceed 1881, 900.
This step was decided upon by the
selectmen yesterday afternoon. and
While no definite action was taken at
the county court meeting, the three
members from the county authorized
the publication Of the statement to the
effect that tomorrow a resolution pro
yiding for an election viii be adopted.
It was a busy day with the county
court yesterday. Not only busy but
exciting. The decision of the supreme
court was not what was expected. And
while Selectman Geddes' face wore a
look Of triumph, the counIenanceS OF
Roberts and Christopherson were
shaded with regret. The two last,
named have been hoping for a differ
ent termination of the affair, in order
that some relief might be given labor,
but now that the case has eliminated
as it has, both viii join hands in at
tempting to meet the issue.
While all the members OF the court
knew that the decision had been hand
ed down, it remained for County Attor-
ney Whittemore to break the news
gently but officially at the hour of
meeting. This done, the Selectmen,
with one accord, decided that the next
best thing to DO was to consider ways
raise money to conduct its business
and check the accumulation of interest
on the outstanding Indebtedness.
AS result Of a few moments
consultation the county was in
structed to bring TO the court
tomorrow, a certified copy of the de-
ciSion of the supreme judges and such
other matters as may have a bearing
upon the question.
Mr.. Whittemore will submit as his
views the same suggestions offered in
his report made when special war
rant No. L" was ordered. He will hold,
and with good reason, that nothing in
the decision Will prevent the county
court from deViSing means Of settling
for indebtedness incurred since 3anu-
airy 1, 1895. He asserts that it may be
safely concluded that at least all Of
the funds In the hands of the county
treasurer on December 81, 1894, have
been covered by warrants. The only
question remaining is: Can warrants
received since January 1. 1880 Mr.
Whittemore claims that they can
legally issue and if he is sustained in
this opinion it is fair to presume that
the present county court will be
enabled to pay all the indebtedness
which it may incur from the revenues
it will derive.
,{e{a s.,I AI% nd
ness, the selectmen and the county at
torney think that It is preferable by
far to fund the Indebtedness by bond
ing, thus reducing the rate of interest
from 6 per cent per annum to . per
| cent. Those familiar with the ques-
ton of bonds say that by the establish
ment Of a sinking fund, which could be
we'll invested, that instead of paying
interest, a saving could be made by
! judicious investment.
Collector Leonard will be present at
the meeting tom orroW, per request, to
exhibit his books and other papers for
the Information Of the court
Inasmuch as it has been decided that
| the report Of Expert Accountant An
derson is essential to the proper under
/ standing of county finance, and realfZ-
! ing that he cannot perform the task
alone as quickly as desired, the select
men yesterday decided to employ I. NJ
Fisher as an assistant Mr.. Fisher be-
| gan work at once.
Warrant Complications
There are complications galore liable
to arise. out Of this warrant question;
First Of all it must be remembered
| that by virtue of the supreme court
about S115,000 in county warrants have
| been declared Illegal The declaring OF
the warrants illegal is held by some
attorneys to invalidate the transaction
for which it was drawn. Should this
opinion be the correct one there Is
the no very distant future
When the question of the in
validity first came up, the firm
I of K A. Andrews & Co, which had
| the contract for supplying furniture
! announced that 1t would replevin all
the chairs, tables, etc, Which 1t had
sold. The county attorney thinks q
writ would hold good In this case and
the selectmen are willing. provided the
firm will restore the warrants, to sur,
render everything purchased of the
Chicago house.
# a writ will hold in the Andrews
case it will also hold in the Fentor
case, and he can repleyin his lamps
and wires, while all others who have
supplied material have the same re-
course. Regarding illegal warrants re
! ceIVed Tor taxes, a question Is pending
which may have to be settled by tht
courts. A receives a warrant from tn,
county for work and labor performed
and sells it to B, who in turn disposed
of 1t to c, who pays his county taxes
with 1t. The collector turns the war
rant over to the treasurer, who cancel
it and enters the same on his books
who Is responsible. the treasurer. collec
tor, G, 3 or A? Or is the court order
ing the warrant and the officers ISSUING
it the ones upon whom the burdel
rests2
Primarily the duties of the count,
clerk, collector and treasurer are min
isterial in character While those of tn
county court are legislative. The ques
ton at issue, and the one which tn
, courts will have to decide. is whethe
the duties of the three first named off
, Gals extend to the limit that the
must investigate the legality Of eac
warrant passing through their hands
Amount of indebtedness.
In round numbers the supreme cour
) hold that the limit of Indebtedness wa
, 1881. OO0 Add to this $50. ODD Of indebted
ness for which warrants We're not is
I sued by the old court and total c