The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-04-02
SNOHOMISH GRAND JURY.
Rebukes the County OGfcials. Hat
Fiads No Legal Remedy for
Their Misconduct

ep4cfal 10 the FDSt-iDt8GsiHSurefs
EVERETT. April 1.-The grand Jury
closed fts session to-day and adjourned.
Thirty-one true bis and nine mot true
hills" have been found during the seAion-
In addition 20 this. twenty-five other
charges have been investigated and the
avidence found insufficient for action NJ
this session Ftfty-one witnesses were
axauined.
The grand jury gave special attention
20 the assertions frequently made In the
last four yeArs that the taxpayers were
baing systematically plapdered by the
county commissioners. assisted by their
legal advisers also that road and bridge
contractors and storeheepers had been
using improper influences with the menu
beers OF the board OF county eommisxaon-
ers.
The grand Jury finds the charge Ii trns
that the commissioners have. at a heavy
and useless expense 20 the county. EN-.
pioyed special inspectors or supsrsntsn-
dents OF bridges. when the work shoud
have been done BY the county surveyor.
In the matter OF the charge that the
ex-county commissioners have wrongfaJly
drawn thousands OF dollars as mileage
and expense. the grand fury inds that
suit has been brought by the county AZ
torney 90 recover the money.
The grand jury also finds the eharss
substantially true that the county com
missioners have been interested In iain-
her contracts on roads at profa 10 them
selves On the plank road from LOVED
10 snohamish County Surveyor Majors
accompanied by Senator John A. DAVIS
and ID L. Paett, reported total shortaxs
sn aplles OF about three tons. and short
age In the pianking OF s.is- feet on the
Crosby a McAdams contract On the
Morgan contract the number OF spikes
short IL s.e0o. or Less pounds. III the
Morgan contract he added 20 the protso
st.. $1,000 rx.uall thsrs will IA an
OF 7ss feet.
In regard 70 the construction OF TIA
road 10 The Dear Greek Gold and Coppss
81 ming Company's property, the grad
Jury says that. while favoring fairy
liberal expenditure az road and eridH
sy condemn such aplawful acts as pay.
ang enormous sums OF the county mono
60 millionaire corporations without war
rant Of law.
In reference 20 the Eibey Island dixie AMI
the Marsh ditch contrasts. the graH
3qiry found that the statute Of Limitations
was against the taking Of any action p
these matters.
The grand Jury reports that. whEe =
their opinion great wrongs aud aoasa
have been perpesratet in the read a.;
bridge and bond funds. che laws aT'pW
90 be such that taxpayers are pTaetA
ally helpless In hth's Cese tairty "a
sections are devoted % prescribing rlkn
Tor the guidance OF county eemniissls-
ara hat no penalties having been ena<s.
cd for the punishment OF violations Z
cheese laws, nothing apparently can =
against such lawhreakers eus clNa Hut8
The grand turv cvnsurva the contnAu
Cor material made with ox~CommiSSioass
arrsars and Moran. The jury found ~;
= large amount Of money had been sssa
10 attorneys In 3 most careless and ~
ntsstneasiixa manner. amounting 20 T.
Nas5 chiefly IN connection with cosny
funds due from the Puget Sound Nasse-
- bank.
The Jury reported adversely on the -
tract maize net a'een the county cotu-A
vaeners ard l. X. Church for the coae.
stun of money due from the Puget Sazns
National tank ard recommended THAI -
contract be rescsfAsed or welded
The Jury reported many instances wA<u
improvements were needed for tie -.
cary condition OF the city. and In eixs
she report says;
I've weuld feel that We had fas 4 4
40 aur whole aeSy IL We neglected 60 At
she after ion Of the ,ANlsssl efs 81 ~
county 90 the fact thai over one~haE 1
anss bridges has bern done ~ one cr ~
coraf-fa - eners telling hss 'chufn. fR
so do tAas or that 300 aEsa l Will $50 -
xou set your pay. such rTaStaces a
very rx.gsreAe naaoSe ard en~n the "a.
xskse a. a system - fr2aA aEsa corTssss~
that Nil lead 80 The esssATupsc- e !,
county. bet We ara ted BY thn cS~eV
attorney and the le2Tned c9tis% that 80
NE can grove tha1 xhe eossarnksSssa<,