The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1897-04-29

Joseph ID. Miller, ler,......... 460. 90
U. X. Henry y.............,.... 4SO.OO
Thomas j. Miller r........... $4,000
Thomas Bidwel ............. 10000
brsnk uosnoth. ..',,'. ,..'.,' 4OO'ou
Cavie Richardson. n...........,.. 54O.UO
A township board of health was or
ganized 10 1898 and the compensation
of the officers fixed at $50 per ye'r. Az
ter the first year the duties Of the officers
were considerably lessened and the COM
pensation was reduced to $50 per year,
this amount including all expenses. So,
since the year 1890, upon the aivice Of
the legal authority of the county the
trustees of Canton township have been
drawing $3.50 per year as trustees and
since 1894, $50 per year as board OF
health officers. 1t is now held by sume
that they had no right TO the $50 as
health officers and were only entitled to
$3.50 per year es trustees. Under the
Interpretation Of the law by Mr.. Welty
and the instruc ions from the state board
of health, their coDpe lsation has been
1910 per year instead of 1850 as some
hold they are only entitled to receive.
BY rssson of the fact that some OF the
me mbers of the board above named had
also been members Of the township board
of health, and had been compelled to pay
their own expenses while traDs3cting
business in that capacity 1T was deter
mined tn allow oh a rebat1 of one-half
of their salary as said members of the
township board of he 'lth for each year
served. As the salary drawn was $50 per
year, each membe- was allowed reduc-
iion of $50 per year. TIE amount to be
deducted from the sum noted in the
above list is ss follows: Henry Piero,
$50; Valentine Rebhotz, $50; Joseph d.
Miller $50; U. X. Henry, 500; Thomas
J. Miller, $50; Thomas Bidwell, $50.
Section 1880 Of the Ohio Statutes
which has, through alleged misinterpre-
tation, caused the trouble, is as follow (:
Each trustee shall be entitled to one
dollar and fifty cents for each days SER
vice in the discharge of his duties in re-
lAtion to partition feLces, to be paid in
equal proportions by the parties; and
one dollar aud fifty cents for each day g
service in the business Of the township,
to be paid out of the township treasury;
but in no year shall the compensation Of
any trus es exceed $3.50, to be paid out
Of the treasury, Including services in
conns cti IN with the poor; provided, that
in any township of the state having a
population at the last federal census 10
$780, and which at any subsequent fed
eral census may have population Of 2l,-
175, and not having city intlrmary
therein, the compens nsation Of any trustee
of such township at one dollar and fifty
csnts for each days service shall not ex-
ceed $3.50 in anyone year to be paid out
of the treasury, including service in con-
ntction with the poor"
The above section as amended re-
mained in force two years only. On
April 49, 1899, the section was repealed
and new section passed which was the
same as the one repealed except that ii
provided in substance that any township
having a population at the federal census
Of 1890, Of 5,066, the trustees. thereof
should be entitled to $3.50 per diem not
to exceed s-i50 per year. The provisions
in both of these amendments were, in
the opinion OF Prosecutor Pomerene
meant for special legislation to Youngs
town only. Canton township in 1886
had a population Of 14,873; in 1890,
"a, 477. Youngstown township, Mahon
ing county, had population in 1880 Of
81, l76, and in 1890, 35,O68.
Prosecutor Pomerene said that he fell
satisfied that all the overdrafts were
made by the several officials concerned
under misapprehsnsion ON their part o
what the law was, and added: II have
seen no evidence of any disposition oI
the part Of any Of the persons involvet
to take any money to which they be
liaved they were not entitled. "'
Ex-Posecutor John @. Welty was fount
o t his office. To News Democrat re
porter he said: 81 advised the oil
board to do as they have done and d
, yet. In the first place the services len
, dered are worth what tney have receive
!, and the amount they drew was reall
less than their services were worth, an
believe under that law they are entilq
to draw the amount they did If wer
they, / would not return 1t until th
= Supreme Court Of Ohio would say
should, as believe the courts would NJ
hold the statute. AS long as the law
upon tho statute books, 1t Is In full
force until declared uncopstitutionnl an
It until such time, II were they, woul
% retain the amount / drew"
IL In an interview one Of the truste,
n said: II am in for fighting the cas-
,. We have worked hard during the pa
is two years aud there was little in
J. for us at the salary we drew. o.
:. willing to return the money drawn &
serviots az member of the townsh
board Of health, but think We will /
Z the courts decide the rest, 4"
q The total amount to be returned to h
10 township treasury less the rebates
,. lowed for expenses as members Of q
boarS OF health, is $9,sl7.s0.