The Bellefontaine Republican. [volume] (Bellefontaine, Logan County, Ohio) 1855-1905, 1902-07-04
MAYORS MESSAGE.
Struck the Council "All Of a
Heap"
Motion to Adopt the Mayors s
Recommendations
Laid Upon the Table by . Three
Eourths Vote.

j. Frank Roger, who is out OF the
city, attended the meeting held We'd
nesdsy night. A big surprise was
perpetrated, but considerable business
was transacted, nevertheless.
Mayors MESSAGE.
Mayor w. L. Haviland arose and
his countenance portended something
grave, as he asked permission to read
a communication. Before he had fin
ished the faces Of the Councilmen took
on a likewise serious air. The COM
munication he read follows:
To the Council of the City of Beilefontaine:
WHEREAS, ON the 18th day of March,
1902 the Council of this city appointed an
able and impartial committee to make
complete Investigation and full report as
to the condition OF the city's finances and
For some time previous to this action. and
especially during the period OF active street
mismanagement, even corruption, existed
in the affairs of the municipality. These
reports. while not definite, were Of such
character as to excite the gravest suspf-
cions. This condition of affairs had its cul
mination in charges against the City Clerk.
and his removal from ofhce. The work of
Investigation was, In fact. directed and un-
dertaken In compliance to the demand of
an Indignant public. Following this action
the committee TAO fsc,s snd IN Psnt
the city books. records and papers In mi
nutest detail. with care and zeal. Pending
the explorations of the COMMITTEES. facts de-
veloped that resulted In the Indictment of
three city ofiieiAis; two Of Of whom ON were con,
the case, however. this Council Il not now
concerned. and no necessity arises to re-
view it. The action taken by the state of
Ohio In the preservation Of its peace and
dignity is now Q matter of public record.
The revelation of criminal liability on
only fruit of that Investigation. On NAV
q. laOe, the committee referred to submitted
to the Council an exhaustive report.
The statements In that report were form
ulated with precision. IL contains sched
uies and lists giving names, dates. amounts
and exact information In detail as to the
facts from which the conclusions were
l.. That it Is impossibIe from existing
books or records TO verify the eity's ac-
:. That the system Of hook Keeping and
accounting then employed WAS fatally de-
s. Thas It was the custom to pay bills
against the city ut q place other than the
city treasury and by another than the Treas
= That eight Of the city funds stood over
drawn to an amount IN excess of $1,000
Tss. ~ s.y pT a,ssons nsd asea sne
being made therefor.
8. That city oficiais had been interested
~ :. 'nf Thss ps the q oity @ Sierf had caused the
misuse OF city money to the amount OF
81 III In excess of bis salary during the last
8. That the City Solicitor had received
from the city treasury during the last year
of his term s57s I'm fees in excess OF his sal
3. That no record or minute whatever ex-
listed of bills allowed and ordered paid by
the Council during the year ending May,
TO- That amounts hsd been charged in
excess of contract rates and illegally paid
provemsni and building, and dsnominsted
s.extrns.r
port moving explicitly the most sstound-
ing frregularfties, but the points enumer-
ated are made prominent and are positive
INCORPORATED In the report are certain
decentralization rs to the proper action
TO be taken In view Of the disclosures made.
and were jnsiified because OF the extensive
Information gained and thorough knowl-
edge Of the situation acquired during the
men constituting the COMMITTEES. The data
accompanying the recommendations con-
recover : portion. ct least. OF the money II,
legally taken from the Treasury.
In compliance with . plain duty this
and begun the enforcement of . policydi-
rsctly In harmony with the one urged by
The methods of Bookkeeping tave been
reformed. Positive regulations no~ exist
and form . safe system for the allowance
81 ofpnSlic cnS iands. The Board Of Revision has as
resumed, or rather has assumed its duties.
Contracts and contractors have been and
are being Investigated and their present
status In relation 10 the Interests of the
city IL being nxed To the knowledge of the
administration no city official 10 now using
city ofiiciai Interested In ths pronts OF any
contract In which the city Is interested. A
complete and accurate record OF all the
allowed and ex penditures authorized fs now
preserved. The law In regard to overdraft
But While these reforms give promise for
the future, up to the present time no por-
tion Of the money illegally drawn from the
81 .CuO paid in by the bondsmen of the City
Clerk be an exception.
The ways and means to effect this END, II
ad dyisable at all, was referred To CONN mittee
which on Tuesday, the 10th day Of June,
gave the result Of its consideration of the
subject 70 your non9rso,s lie o9cy. sS .,,,,,ss
gives occasion for these remarks, hastily
/ reviewing the events SO we'll known to all
They are not offered in . spirit of captious
criticism OF the committee, but are respect
fully urged as u p. otest against the accur-
acy Of the conclusions drawn by the gentle
Council In view Of the established facts.
In this report no reference Whatever Is
| made to the fact that q city official In the
/ absence of any action by the Council pre-
| vtously taken providing generally for re-
Enumeration, In case OF special service, re-
ceiyed during the last year alone OF his term
S57s In fees more than his salary. In thi:
| matter, II no action follow, the city not
| only sustains the pecuniary loss, but the
remains undetermined. and win stand as !
| precedent against the city In the future and
| as o Justification of such acts because the
city now has notice, and failure TO enfore,
| the RI fsht NAV hereafter be argued to be a,
| renuncintfon of II.
1 The consumption of water and gas by cit,
| officials In the past Is admitted. The legal
liability on the part of all such officials e
pay the established rates for all the supply
the committed urges that provision B,
| made II possible 50 that the custom can b'
continued, but on legal basis. What th'
Is not yet Determined. This present legal
i civil liability to pay for city property al
| ready made use of Is now nxed under res u
Il and Is an obligation completed. There II
L no escape from the enforcement OF this lie
gal claim unless the city shall give TO on,
4 what Il sells to another. The state of Ohfs
prosecuted. convicted and fined . membe
i Of the last Council for having accepted pay
and which WAS beneficial To the city. Ye
i the criminal statute was enforced
Shall other officials not be held liable civil
| actually appropriated by them; In oths
words, shall privileges and fmmunities b
granted one official and punishment deal
i ont to another IL the exact letter OF thu
criminal law Is enforced, as the rule In on
case, what excuse In common honesty cal
| be given for failing to enforce the exnc
| letter of the civil laws Quoting from tn
Il re port of the committees:
| I'VE do not deem ~ advisable to incur an,
expense In the way of litigation to recovs
any of the sums paid out OF the city treas
ury rs extras or otherwise In justifics
ton of this conclusion we desire To say tina
some of the money paid out was disburse'
by the city for services actually rendereS
and received by persons to whom IL wa
paid under We are advised, was and Is