The record-union., 1896-06-24
COURTHOUSE IMPROVEMENTS
Some Necessary Changes to be Made in
the Jail.
Assessor Berkey Wants Special Counsel
to Push the Mills Bank
Tax Case.

At Yesterdays session of the Board OF
Supervisors Architect James Seadler
submitted his report of the changes ne
cessary to be made in order to carry out
the improvements to the County JAN
decided on by the board at its last meet
ing.
The chief object of the proposed
changes is to provide the jail with
ward for women prisoners, also a dun
geon, and to improve some of the WIN
dows.
The report did not contain any es'tl-
mate of the probable cost, and Super
visor Todd said what they wanted was a
rough estimate by the architect of the
cost, and not an elaborate description OF
the changes.
Supervisor Jenkins did not believe in
spending much money on the old build
Ing If it was proposed to do expensive
patchwork he was opposed to it. The
old building would not justify it.
Chairman Morrison said the report
could be placed on file and the commit
tee might consult with Mr.. Seadler as to
the probable cost. 1t was so ordered
Subsequently Mr.. Seadler visited the
board and stated that the proposed
changes would cost inside of $1,000
MILLS BANK ASSESSMENT.
Assessor Berkey appeared before the
board in relation to the assessment of
the National Bank of d. o. Mills & Co.
He said the code allows the State Con-
troller to withdraw delinquent property
from sale, and had instructed Tax Col
lector johnson to do SO in this case. The
Attorney General will probably begin
the necessary action to determine the
legality of the assessment, but to guard
against delay he hoped the board would
employ special counsel to see that the
matter is pushed to a speedy conclusion.
The Accomplishments office and the
District Attorneys office, said Mr.. Ber-
key, are crowded with business, and he
did not want any delay in having the
matter settled. He believed the county
had a good case and it was necessary
that some good lawyer should be en-
ployed to give all his time to it when it
comes up for hearing. There are about
thirty national banks in the State. and
Sacramento is the first one to assess
their money and solvent credits 1t is
desirable that the question at issue
should be settled soon and for all time.
Mr. Berkey said the Controller was
preparing the papers in the case and
they would be sent to the Attorney-Gen-
eral in few days. The matter was at
tracing attention not only in this State
but in others. and the case should be
thoroughly and carefully mana ged.
Chairman Morrison rem arked that he
did not see how anything. cold be done
without consultation with the District
Attorney.
Mr. Berkey said that was so. He
had every confidence in the integrity
and ability of that officlaI and his as
slstant but the case is a very import
ant one and will require all of law
yer's time while on trial The assess
rent levied on the bank is. $500, 900, but
the bank declines to pay OH more than
Sl50000.
Supervisor Jenkins thought that if the
District Attorney could not give the
case the necessary attention, it would
be proper for that official TO suggest
whom to employ, or to select the attor-
ney.
Chairman Morrison believed that
While the District Attorneys office has
lots of business to look after, at Off
cial would try to find the time TO give
the case its proper attention. At all
events, the matter would be brought to
tie District Attorneys attention
promptly.
Mr. Berkey said the thirty national
banks in the State would employ able
lawyers and plenty Of them to repre-
sent them in court, and whoever takes
the case for the county will have his
hands full in standing them off.
GRAND JURY BILLS.
Chairman Morrison called attention
to the fact that the members of the
Grand Jury had presented claims for
$40 each for thirty-five days actual ser
vice, with mileage in some cases. Sev-
eraI extra claims for committee work
had been stricken off and the claims
all reduced to so each, except that Of
Secretary Foster, which is for 81 per
day extra, also SIG for several days
committee work The demands, as they
POW appear, are recommended by the
District Attorney.
Supervisor Jenkins moved that moth
ing more be allowed the Secretary than
any other member, but the motion did
not receive a second.
Chairman Morrison thought the S13 %
claim of Miss Erhardt for typewriting
the Grand Jury report should be de