Smyrna times., 1897-05-19

the interest from May fst to date, S42.-
70, will leave balance due Hills &
Co. of $252.53. 1t seemed strange to
the members of the Board that this
bill should be so large when so many
payments had been paid on it. This
caused an investigation and the Secre-
tary called on the Treasurer for orders
given corresponding with the credits
and the returned checks showing that
they had been paid. Orders and checks
were found to correspond with the
above credits but in addition to this
another order had been drawn and
another payment of 5000 made April the
Both 1896 which was never credited on
the bill. This with interest ought to
have reduced the debt of Hills & Co.
to $4O.53. Mr.. Anthony then called on
Mr.. Boyer for information, the latter
replying "that the bill was all right :;
the town owed Hills & Co. that much
money" At the secret session of the
regular meeting Friday night, the mat
ter was discussed quietly and DIR.
Moore appointed committee of one to
wait on Mr.. Boyer.
In making his report DIR. Moore said
he had seen Mr.. Boyer and asked him
produce evidence of it having been
paid. The latter, said Councilman
Moore, replied, doc its no use for
me to lie to you, 1 used the money.
will pay back the 5000 with interest
before the next regular meeting of the
Board"
This confession of n misdomeanor
cast profound silence over every mem
Der of the Board. For several minutes
there was not word uttered. While
everything was quiet President Hof-
fecker said: Gentlemen, this is n
grave question that cOnfronts us and
as member of this Board am sorry
that one former member should so far
forget his oath and duty as to put him
self in such position. 1t is a misde-
meanOr." The President went on to
explain his position as a member of the
Board should he be placed as party to
the crime, even though Mr. Boyer
should pay back the money.
Secretary Anthony arose feeling
deeply his responsibility. He spoke of
the friendship that had existed between
him and Mr.. Boyer and regretted the
unfortunate circumstances. But as a
member of the Board he thought the
law should be meted out to him, not to
its fullest extent but that he should
suffer some punishmest for his misde-
meanor.
Cummins Or. L. said the weak spot
in Mr.. Boyer was in not owning up
when Secretary Anthony first called
upon him, instead of trying to deceive
him.
DIR. Moore, too, was deeply impress
sed and after reading the oath to which
he had subscribed when assuming the
duties of a town Commissioner, spoke
briefly but eloquently of the neighbor-
ly feeling that existed between him
and Mr.. Boyer and regretted the po-
sition in which he had unfortunately
placed himself. He thought con-
scientiOusly that punishment should
be given for such misdemeanor. Mr..
Robinson spoke of what a delicate
thing it was with him.. He didn't
want to screen Mr.. Boyer and incrim-
mate himself. In fact that he would
rather suffer with him than do any
thing contrary to what was right. He
couldn't see, if Mr.. Boyer made good
the money, why the Board would be a
party to the crime.
To get the question before the Coun-
Gil, Mr.. Anthony moved that the mat
ter be placed in the hands of President
Hoffecker to confer with the Attorney
General of the State of Delaware as to
what action the Board must take and
report on Friday night, R. L. Cum
minis seconded the motion and it was
carried.