The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1900-11-02
THEY TALK IT OVER.
Smith and Jones Discuss the Affairs Of
Pennington County.

Smith and Jones Discuss the Affairs o1
Pennington County.
Hello, SMITH" shouted Jones as
the two met in the road the other
day. Both were Pennington county
ranchers and taxpayers and, of
course, there was a brotherly feel
ing between them. Smith replied
with his "hello" and the two stop
ped fot short talk.
WELL" remarked Jones. .'the
campaign is about over, and I an
glad Of it. I'm tired of politics"
Eyes" rejoined Smith, land I've
been posting myself on county af-
fairs and want to give you a few
pointers, even if you are tired Of the
campaign.
Jones told his neighbor to 20
ahead and he would listen.
snow, we are both residents of
Pennington county" began Smith,
"and we ought to be interested in
the way the county is run. The fu-
sionists have had control of county
affairs for little over three years
and did you know, Jones, that up
until they took hold, the county
debt piled higher and higher each
month";"
81 hadn't thought Of that" an
swered Jones. "How is the thing
going since the fuslonists have been
running things?"
"Well," began Smith, "the fusion
lists created the current expense
fund, or cash fund, on July 1st, 1897.
Since then they have paid the run
ming expenses of the county in cash.
That kept the debt from increasing.
Then, since that time they have paid
over $5O,OOO of the old county debt
and they still have cash ON hand.
How's that?
pretty good showing for anar-
chists and repudiators," admitted
Jones with smile. "But what made
up the county's big debit"
eThe Wholesale issuing of county
general warrants, issued in pay
ment Of the county expenses before
this current expense fund was cre-
ated," replied Smith, "and these
warrants drew per cent interest,
too. We used to get only 50 cents
on the dollar COR them. Now we
get spot cash for our services rend-
cred the countv.'
''Yes, but republican told me
the other day that money had been
taken from the county general fund
to omain tain this cash system-money
which should have gone to redeem
those old outstanding warrants"
put in Jones.
"That republican lied to you,
then, said Smith warmly. "Thirty
minutes examination of the county
treasurer's books will show that not
one nickel has ever been trans erred
from the county general fund to the
current expense fund. looked the
matter up for myself.
"How are county expenses now
as compared with what they were
under republican rule?" asked
Jones.
Nearly one-half less and they
will be smaller still If the fusion
county ticket is elected next Tues
day." !" replied Smith. 'tfor every fu.
sion nominee is pledged to save the
cost of deputy unless he can show
the commissioner board that ole is
absolutely necessary. That would
mean a saving of about $500 per
year"
ssWho opposes this current ex-
pense fund business?" queried
Jones.
''The First National Bank at
Rapid City and the fellows it has a
string on, answered Smith. 'They
speculate in warrants and have q
snap when they can buy them at 81
cents on the dollar, raw Z per cent
interest aud then finally turn them
in and get face value. with you and
] taxed to make the deficiency good
Then, Fred j. Gross, the republican
candidate for commissioner, oppose.
It, though he has never been able tt
give sensible reason for doing SO
Geo. w. Palmer, the fusion caLdi
date for commissioner, suppdfts th,
current expense fund. because he s /;