The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1901-09-03
9aiftgg -. g anle
Nj. 81. MURDOCH, Editor.
TO WHAT PURPOSE 2

TO WHAT PURPOSE?
Back of all figures in the case of the numerical index
of paramount this county. there is th.
one vital fact; that numerical index when
been completed cost Of $4,000 to the taxpayers Of
this county, will be worth penny the county Il
viii not be used by a taxpayer in the county once
month; by 90 per cent Of the taxpayers viii never be
used At all
viii not furnish, it is not intended to furnish, alb
stact accompany deeds and practically only
time when taxpayer wants recourse to the records
Today when citizen transfers property by deed the
purchaser asks abstractor furnishes this
for fee with his certifcaton
When the numerical index which draining the county
treasury at the rate of $4,000 month and win be-
unless stopped drain on all taxpayers for years to
come when is completed the citizen transferring prop
orty, viii not get his abstract put by the county; he
will have to get from the absractor before He viii
save nothing. He viii not be accommodated
other words that numerical index is to be merely
reference book. If man owning property suddenly
comes upon thought some night that would
know who has owned his property in the past he go
the register Of deeds Office pull the index book and
hunt up the record couple OF days. he hire
lawyer to do so Of the 10000 people in Sedgwc county
this sudden thought does not come to half dozen people
five years The only need they have Of record
Of transfers mortgages releases their property is ord
inariy when they about sell Then the purchaser
not take e pae records nor will he hunt the record
himself He asks an abstract
Why then were those books purchased at price four
times their value? Having no actual value the
taxpayer and with chance of their ever having value
the taxpayer why was $4,000 Of the taxpayers money
handed them when the individual taxpayer could
have bought them for $500 himself? Why, if useless
foolish trade had be made the taxpayer taxed the
s24OO over and above the price of the books?
why when the purchase was made, did those Pop
ust county commissioners throw good money taxpayers
money after bad by entering into contract which will
call for $4,000 expenditure? Granting temporarily their
claim that purchase perfectly useless books us
fable why did they arrange that profit of 400 per
should be made bringing these perfectly useless
books up date? Why they had the taxpayers inter
in mind did they arrange for the clerical work
the salary basis actually paid the shifts work
ing day and night and let the register Of deeds have per
cent for supervision? Why did they arrange for 400 per
cent?
Since last January the county has paid $500
This only the beginning It is to go on
unless the court next Friday calls halt.
Eighteen thousand dollars are to paid on this
conracto purchase what? Not set of books which viii
be of but of books which viii be seen year after
only by the clerks in the Office who by fees
charged for fling. viii make additional entries.
The POpust and Democratic ring in this county makes
the boast openly that not be forced of the
agement of the county afars-that it has a cinch.
That viii be determined later At present public
which has become forgeul of the might Of
house ring as become curious would like know the why
and wherefore of the purchase Of $500 book for $500
and the added burden $4,000 the taxpayers back
for the making Of record which will not the tax
payer penny, make him one. be to one man out
Of a thousand Of the least practical utility.
The public would simply like to know.