The record-union., 1897-11-05
HARD ON THE CONTRACTOR.
DARBY LAYDON NOT YET PAID
FOR THE BRIDGE.
A Fine Structure at McConnelIs
but Some Difficulty in Pay
ing For It.

Darby Laydon, builder of the new
steel bridge over the Cosumnes River
at McConnelrs Station, who has been
trying for some time to have the Super
visors allow him the balance due on his
contract, S3,911, was again before that
body yesterday in regard to the mat
ter.
Supervisor Mclaughlin objected to
allowing the claim on the ground that
the bridge was contracted for during
rthe last fiscal year, and that the work
was done during the present fiscal year.
| It seems that the contract was let in
November last. but the river rose soon
afterward and the contract was extend
| ed from time to time. The material
was ON the ground before July 1st, but
the bridge was constructed since then.
| District Attorney Ryan came before
the board and explained that the law
was quite plain-that no contracts must
be let for any sum in excess of the rev.
enues for that fiscal year. In other
words, that the revenues of this fiscal
/ year cannot be used to pay for work
! ordered during the preceding fiscal year.
] AT the time the contract was let TO
Laydon there was sufficient money in
the fund with which to pay for the
work, but as the work was delayed the
money was used for other purposes,
| except that Laydon was paid one-half
| the amount of his contract when he
placed the material on the ground.
| District Attorney Ryan said that in
| that case the money with which to pay
| Laydon & Co. should have been laid
aside for that purpose and not used for
any other 1t was an unpleasant pre-
dicament but he could see no way out
| of it, unless it could be shown that at
the end of the last fiscal year Dune
30th) there really was money enough
| on hand with which to pay the sum
| due the contractors.
| A reference to the Auditors report for
July last showed that at the end of the
last fiscal year there remained in the
general fund and the Fifth District
road fund the sum Of $500, more than
enough to pay the claim of Laydon &
| Co.. and that of Mcmahon & Sons,
builders of the Mormon Island bridge,
whose account is in the same condition.
1t amounts to S2.197.
| 1t was also found, however, that in
! July portion of this money was paid
| on account OI tue Two pliuS0S, o1Aii
! leaving shortage.
! Mr. Laydon said he had some CLAIMS
! to meet and was greatly in need OF the
money. He did not make dollar on,
the contract, and Expert Stoddard had
| expressed an opinion to that effect. The
experts report shows that it is splen-
did piece of work, and he Oaydon) was
proud of it. No county in the State has
as good steel bridge. If he had made
! a few hundred dollars on it he would
not be ashamed to acknowledge 1t, for
no man can carry on business If he
| doesn't make something. In this in
| stance, however, he barely came out
even.
| The Supervisors all acknowledge that
| the bridge is a splendid one, and Su-
| pervisor Mclaughlin himself said he
would like to see the contractors get
| their money, but he wanted to keep
within the requirements of the law.
| Then it was announced that there
was a recent decision of the Supreme
Court to the effect that claims like
| Laydon & Cos could be paid, and Dis
| trfct Attorney Ryan was again sent for
He was absent, and the matter went
over until to-day.
| Earlier in the day the board had
voted to accept the Mormon Island
| bridge, Mclaughlin declining to vote,
and Morrison being absent