The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1896-07-07

same, $685. stlll due the state, taxe,
is9l-g2, tl5.Sss.Gs: present total debt
siOs, s,2e2.77; less cash In general fund
applicable S2O.2O722. balance OF tota
debt. Sss.O5655.
Total warrant debt. ts7,sis.53. les,
cash on hand. t2O.2O722: net out.
standing warrants. July lst 1886
SC7.Ol?.3i. We have reduced our to,aI
debt. tls.llO.15; we have paid state. on
account Of taxes. 1912, 5000. we have
paid interest. (see treasurer's state.
ment. December 81. isS4.J tl.2ss.79: We
have paid interest. June 30. 1875. &c.
O33.4O; we have paid interest. December
~, 1885, A.4J71i; We have paid interest.
June 90 1896 s2,9527l: total. S37 30
The interest account is sl4.s6lS4, and
Is two years penalty on former In
debtedness. When permanent improve
ments are necessary II is sometimes ad-
yisable TO contract debts. but not for
the ordinary running expenses Of the
county.
The treasurer's semi-annual state
ment shows a total amount OF t31. .s9l. "a
cash on hand in the county, school and
road funds; sls,S22,77 Of this large
amount ls held 20 pay county warrants
and interest, called June lj. 1896, the
interest ceaslng on about s1s,5OO after
that date.
The laws OF Oregon should be amend
ed so that the privilege TO hold public
funds balances shall be bid for at pub
lie auction. and held by approved de-
positories. upon the payment OF Gus
tomary interest on similar deposits.
During the month OF June several
large property owners and tax payers
came to my ofiice and stated that they
had been reliably informed that on the
following day large body OF fisher
men. some owning an interest in nets
held by themselves as security for ad-
vances. were intending to demand the
nets. and unless their demands were
complied with. the fishermen would
take the nets by force. and that unless
said larve tax payers and property
owners complied with the demands OF
the fishermen as 10 the price OF fish.
their property would be destroyed by
fire. They said they were alarmed
about the safety Of their property, and
demanded protection Of the county.
They also notified me that in case Of
its destruction or loss they would hold
the county liable for all damages by
fire or otherwise. Informed them that
hy reason Of the prior responsibility of
the city OF Astoria. they should apply
TO the mayor of the city for protection,
and should he call upon me. would
comply with the law. Shortly after
wards the mayor Of Astoria made u
formal application. requesting me to
call upon the governor of Oregon for
the state militia, TO prevent threatened
destruction Of property; Immediately
telegraphed the governor. asking for
two hundred troops, to protect large
amounts OF property from threatened
destruction. The timely arrival OF the
/ am now fully satisfied, pre-
vented trouble, possibly bloodshed. and
destruction Of much property. The
extreme wrath and unconcealed hos
tility to the presence OF the militia
mot shown by the Flshermen's Tn
lon, or many misinformed citizens)-but
by a dlsreputable. vicious and irrespon-
sible element then In our city. that are
always ready TO destroy. has fully
proved the wisdom OF that act. The
system Of patrolling the river, holding
up" and driving of Of the waters OF the
Columbia river American citizens who
desired to fish, even to provide food for
their families, has been stopped. The
extent and character of that kind Of
piracy hretofore carried on It is claim
ed by irresponsible committees" l
confess. has greatly surprised
me. and owing to the intimidation of
witnesses, 1t is so far impossible TO Sc
cure the testimony necessary to convict
parties,
The direct expense of the militia to
this county viii be not far from $780,
This does not include the expense of
the patrol by Sheriff Hare and depu-
ties, in the vicinity OF Clifton, which
Is estimated as about $500 more Upon
the sheriff's recommendation and the
of prominent citizens, l Of
fered a reward of $1,000 for the arrest
and information that win lead to the
conviction of the murderers Of Esther
Loire, Jack Lambert, Adolph Gunionge
and Sam Milandt near Clifton on the
Columbia river. the night of May 27th,
1896. l ask this court to make an or
Ter approving my action in that mat
Ter. Respectfully submitted,
]. H. d. GRAY,
County Judge.