Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1899-11-22
AFEw THINGS THE FATHERS DID.

4
The county board win very likely
after a busy session of little 1aore than
a week. The CENSOR hastily collects a
few points among the more important
matters transacted.
County are larger this year
than any time in the history of Vernon
county, and Treasurer Forum reported
a balance of 81, 900 on hand. Total re-
ceipts fer the year, $93, 9S8. 80: disburse-
ments, $S7, 005. SO.
1t cost S., 25S. 81 to maintain the poor
Of the county, including aid distributed
to the several towns and villages.
Two years since Mr.. Ellefson intro
duced a resolution. which was adopted,
placing the sheriff on a salary, instead
of paying on the fee system. As a
member of the committee on claims
this year, he became convinced, as did
others, that the action taken two years
ago was not legal by reason of notcom-
plying with the law in important
particulars, AID asked that a special
committee be appointed to ascertain the
proper way out of the matter. The
committee was constituted of Supervi-
sors Theil. Haugh and Bean, who
recommended that the resolution be set
aside and a settlement be made on the
fee basis, which was adopted by a
unanimous vote.
The election of a trustee for the asy-
lum and superinte ndent of the poor was
made a special orc er for Friday. Elijah
Tilton was reelected to the latter
position by a vote oe 81 to 7 over A. #.
May. The trusteeship was a very close
contest. On the first ballot Alex. Hill
and Il. v. Wernick each received Is
votes. On the next Mr.. Hill received
IS to Mr.. Wernick's Is.
The board gave orders for the removal
of the unsightly old fence enclosing the
court house grounds. This is a most sensi-
BILE move.
The committee on assessment and
equalization made practically no
changes from the basis of last year,
except to lower the price of acreage in
Viroqua town from SO. rs to 50. 80. Per-
sonal valuation in LaFarge and Reads
town, was in each case placed at SIS, 600.
These two villages have been incorpor-
ated since the last session of the board.
The board made a reimbursement of
salaries, commencing with the next
term, for three county officers, and very
properly, too. Superintendent of schools
from 81, 900 to 81, 200; District Attorney
was increased from $500 to $3.50; County
Judge from $500 to $500. An adequate
salary for the last named officer should
be fixed SO he could afford to give his
entire time to the service and keep an
open court continuously. The work in
| that Office has so largely increased that
no man can do full Justice to himself
and the public unless his undivided
attention is directed to the service. No
lawyer can do that or q salary of $500
or $500. The exacting and intricate
position of county clerk should yield
more than $500 to a man competent to
the requirements. And the treasurer
who Is irresponsible for the handling of
nearly 800, 600 should be rewarded by
more pay than $500. In fact we believe
no county in the state of our population
and Importance pays its servants as
meagre salaries. The CENSOR would
not plead for extravaganza in these
matters, but believes the workman is
worthy of his hire"
The court house janitor gives his ben
ediction to the county board for an in
crease in monthly salary from $50 to
Soldiers Relief Commissioners report
the amount of aid distributed during
the year 1904. 20, wish a balance of
$78. 40 on hand.
The board unanimously consented to
grant to the Childrens' Home Society of
| Wisconsin, a Christian society formed
and conducted under restraint of law,
$25 for each dependent and homeless
child taken, cared for and placed in a
good home, providing, however, that
the child so given into its care shall
never again become a ward of the county.
This society is doing a splendid work
for humanity in the way of finding
homes for waits. When a child is once
placed it continues to keep watchful
supervision.
Wednesday. by invitation, the board
paid it's annual visit to the asylum and
| almshouse, taking dinner at the former
and supper at the latter. At the asy-
lum the usual thorough investigation
of the premises was made and it's needs
noted. 1t is hardly necessary to say
that there was general approval OF the
careful, humane and thorough super
vision of patients and institution.
Every man capable of observing, tech
nically and generally, says amen to the
policy pursued there. The board,
trustees and superintendent applied
themselves for an hour to making each
other familiar with general details
about the concern. Such face-to-
face consultation can but be productive
of a better understanding of the great
institutions affairs. The almshouse, its
conditions and good management are
alike highly creditable to the county
and all connected with the place.