The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1902-05-23

drawn, the large amount of interest
and taxes that has to be paid out by
the city annually, we think the Coun-
Gil should be slow in creating new
offices, increasing salaries, or in any
way adding to the burden of the tax
payers.
We believe, along this line, that the
amount allowed by the County Com
missioners to the City Treasurer,
$500, (but paid by the city, should be
reduced to not over $500, as the duties
are neither difficult nor onerous.
We also believe that the ar int
paid to officers of the Board of l Q 18th
is excessive.
We find that John Cantwell, ST eet
Inspector, collected pay for every work.
ing day, but one, in October, 1901,
and also collected $40 on inspecting
bridge work in the same month. The
minutes of the Council show that Mr..
Cantwell was only appointed inspector
of the work on five improvements, but
his bills show that he has also served
in that capacity for the other improve
ments.
Mr.. Cantwell states that some of the
bills were for days before October.
We find that the cost of the arch
across north Madriver street, $297 "a
is charged to the property owners on
Madriver Street Extension Improve
ment. This should be charged to the
Bridge Fund, and deducted from the
taxes on the improvement.
In the matter of the Williams street
iarch, over the small stream along the
south line Of said street, and the north
line Of lot belonging to Hamilton
Bros, a request was made by the
Hamilton Bros. that the city join them
in building the arch, they offering to
build the arch for 81. 80 per foot, and
each party to pay half OF the sum
named, uthe arch to be built under the
supervision, and to the acceptance ol
City Engineer" no other specifications
were drawn up. On completion Of the
work $594.S0 were paid to Hamilton
Bros. instead OF $498 38, an excess o.
$96.80 which excess we understand
was claimed for extras. Nothing il
shown by the minutes that any extrs
was agreed to and the Engineer re
fused to endorse the bill.
Extras have been allowed on Eas
Chillicothe Avenue improvement anG
Hamilton Street, and charged to the
taxpayers. The custom of allowing
extras is dangerous and besides hal
been declared illegal by the courts
In the matter Of taxes on Madrive
Street improvement, Mrs. Jennie Jor
dan paid her assessment $3.50 in full
to the Clerk, and took his receipt
Mrs. Clara Arnold also paid her as
sessment $45 in full. Neither OF thes
sums was turned into the Treasury
nor do they appear on the Clerks o
Treasurer's books. Mrs. Arnold's as
sessment was not returned to tn
Treasurer for collection.
We advise that the Board of Revision
compare the list of all parties assessed
. on street and other special assess
, ments with the list returned by tn
Clerk to the Auditor to go on the ia.
, duplcate.
In the matter Of the city printing
! the committee on printing has had al
arrangement to divide the same be
. tween the Index and the Examiner q
> 20 per cent. OF the legal rate. In tn
chaotic state Of city affairs this agree
. ment seems to have been lost sight ol
q and from what few bills are ON recon
!, it appears that the agreement has nc
been lived up to. '
II There are no bills on file for a gres
y lpart of the amount paid out, but tn
. following list OF bills on file show tn
!, difference between the amount due o
. the agreement and the amount draw
q for same as per bills OF the Index
The Examiners hills for same class Of worl
A Is at agreed price.
Prices as PriC