The record-union., 1897-10-07
BOOKS FOR THE ASSESSOR.
THE SURVEYOR INSTRUCTED
TO PREPARE TWO.
Steps Taken for Calling a Special
Election on Folsom Road
Bonds.

The Supervisors yesterday had
long conference with District Attorney
Ryan on the subject of the proposed
special election on the Folsom highway
bond issue.
The result Of it was that the board
requested the District Attorney to pre-
pare the necessary proclamation call
ing the election, and which is to set
forth the proposition in a clear and
legal manner
Supervisor Morrison wanted the pro-
clamation to announce that the voters
should determine whether they pre-
ferred direct tax or the issuance of
bonds.
MI. Ryan explained that the direct
tax question could not be submitted.
as the law exempted cities from taxa
ton for road purposes. With bonds it
was different. The Attorney Generals
opinion was that if the people. by
tWo-thirds vote, declare in favor of
bonds, for any purpose, the entire coun-
ty would be liable therefor.
The bonds are to bear interest at 4
per cent. per annum, the opinion of the
Supervisors and District Attorney be-
ing that they would be readily taken up
at that figure.
ASSESSORS BOOKS.
Having temporary custody of the
District Attorney, the board took ad-
vantage Of the opportunity to get his
advice as to what course should be pur-
sued in the matter of the map-book and
block-book asked for by Assessor Ber-
key.
Under the present law a map book
must be made annually, and the work
devolves on the Surveyor The law
says that official shall make such map
book or block-book as the Assessor
may require, and that he shall receive
as compensation therefor the sum of
$500 in addition to his regular salary
While the map-book is an annual af-
fair, the block book is not. The one
now in the Assessors office has been in
use for several years, but Assessor
| Berkey says he requires a new one.
The question at issue was whether
| the Assessor could be required to make
the two books for the 5000 extra, that
being about the price usually charged
for the map-book. Surveyor Boyd in
formed the board the other day that he
expected to be paid extra if he made
the block book, claiming that the law
contemplated that he should make
only the map-book for the $500.
Supervisor Morrison asked District
Attorney Ryan whether or not, if both
books were ordered, the board could
allow any more than the 5000 men
toned in the law.
Mr.. Ryan said they could not-the law
was plain on that point.
Supervisor Morrison gave it as his
opinion that the proper way to proceed
would be to direct the Surveyor to pre-
pare the map-book and block-book re-
Quired and asked for by Assessor Ber-
key, and when the claim for the work
should be submitted to allow him $500.
If the Surveyor still believed himself to
be entitled to more, he could take the
matter into court and have the law
judicially interpreted. If the county
should be held liable for more than $500
the Surveyor would then get his pay.
Mr.. Morrison concluded by making a
motion that both books be prepared by
the County Surveyor and it was so or
dered by unanimous vote.
NEEDS TIGHTENING.
Supervisor Morrison called the boards
attention to the fact that the middle
span of the Twelfth-street bridge over
the American River had become loose.
Darby Laydon had examined the bridge,
Mr.. Morrison said, and found that the
woodwork had shrunken away from the
iron, and that the bolts and nuts should
be tightened or the bridge would suffer
badly
1t was decided to have two compe-
tent men employed by railroad engineer
Robinson to do the work necessary,
which it was thought would occupy
about a week.
To-day the Supervisors will go to
Gait to examine a piece of work done
| by Fred Harvey, and will not be in
session again until Friday.