The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1896-03-13
Editor BLACK HILLS UNION:


l made no reply in my last to the
Journals charge of malfeasance in office
against me, nor do I feel inclined to do
SO at this time, at the mere dictum of u
self appointed accuser who persists IN
pushing the quill and hiding himself be-
hind the IRRESPONSIBLE Journal man, but
too cowardly to do SO over his own sig
nature. However since the discussion
has brought inquiries from honest bona
fide tax payers, take pleasure in giving
an explanation to those to whom am
amenable for each and every official uct
while IN their service.
tits however an insult to the intelli-
gence Of the people OF this county to
even presume that the charge OF malfea-
sance made by this llligltimate offspring
of the county and it's sore headed legal
advisor ls considered by the people for
moment. but a few charges are worthy
OF answer simply for the benefit OF those
who do not know the facts.
and rascallty wherever and whenever
found and if we have stepped on any
bodys toes we have no apology to offer
and the same policy will be persued in
the future as IN the past for am not
working for nor in the interest OF the
sharks, but for the whole people. which
fact alone accounts for this venal at
tack vpon me.
FIRST. 1t says took five dollars per
day for my services as county commits
sioner when | was only entitled to three
The first session OF the board on which
| served put in my bill at three dollars
per day, which was disallowed BY the
republican members thereof, who con-
tended that the law fixed the salary at
five dollars per day. My bill was finally
allowed at five dollars and made out in
two seperate warrants; the amount for
the number OF DAYS served at three dol
lars in one warrant which [ took and
used and the amount at two dollars in
another which was left with the county
auditor pending the result of an appeal
which | caused to be taken from this de-
clsion OF the hoard allowing and audit
ing the commissioner bills at tive dollars
per day. wrote Mr.. G. L. Wood, the
attorney in charge Of the case after the
first term OF court asking him why the
case had never been presented to the
court, he then wrote me. that after fur
thur considering the case he was sure
the board was correct in allowing the
bills at five dollars and that he had
talked with Judge Plowman, who held
the term OF court at which it was to be
tried and was assured by him that the
commissioners were right as he had just
passed upon the same QUESTION elsewhere
| then used the warrant left with the
auditor and am at this time, together
with the other commissioner who were
elected before the repeal OF the special
law, taking the five dollars per day un-
der the advice and opinion Of our state
attorney.
SECOND. am iurthur accused of work.
ing with the assessor as ali assistant
and being allowed three dollars per day
in warrants for the same. did assist
the assessor as clerk after (irst getting
the district attorneys opinion as to
whether there was any legal reason why
| should not and was assured by him
that there was none. and the assessors
brought in his bill for my work at five
dollars per day, Gust as all OF his pre-
decessors had done) which was cut down
to three dollars-mv own vote assist.
ing. The asse9sor asked me to help him
and did SO, thinking 1 could acquaint
myself with property values in this way
which would better fit me for nv duties
and not for the $3.50 per day. And at
the same time I was employing nelp in
my stead on the farm.
THIRD. Yes, at the suggestion of the
state attorney | was appointed hv the
board to assist HIM in the examination
OF the county records and was allowed
three dollars IN warrants per dav for
four or five days seryicec Examining
those records seems to have been Il
grave offense.) It was thought this plan
would be cheaper than hiring an ex-
pert at five or ten dollars per day.
FOURTH. l am also charged with the
heinous crime OF sending orders for gro,
ceres to the Coo Operative store OF which
was secretary at the time. Yes reader
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