The Florida star., 1902-03-07
COUNTY COMMISSIONERS REPLY.
The Question OF the Interest Rate Dis
cussed by the Board

The Question OF the Interest Rate Dis
cussed by the Board
Editor of The Florida Star
We are troubling you again for little
space-not that we desire to have any
controversy with the county treasurer,
nor yet to resent the coarse and imperti-
nent fiinghe makes at the board of county
commissioners.
In the first place, nothing is to be gain
ed to either the public or the board by
the discussion, as the treasurer knows
nothing about the business of the county
| further than its naked relation to his
depository, and We are indifferent about
the treasurer's opinion of our capacity,
since he is unfit TO judge US. If Mr..
John Henry, to whom he has farmed
out the Office, were to criticise US, We
might have reason to feel uneasy, because
the people understand that Mr.. Henry
knows what he is talking about.
The members of the board are not law
yers, and supposed that under their gen.
eral power they might choose a deposi-
tory, especially when it could be done on
terms highly advantageous to the tax
payers The treasurer thought so, also,
for when the board sent for him and
kindly asked his cooperation, he asked
us for months time to consider what
he should do, and finally refused to COM
ply, as he said, because he had been ad-
vised by his lawyer that he was not
bound to. We, too, were, afterwards ad-
Y,ot . I,.1 ha
of the stick" but that, while the statutes
did not require him to conform to the
boards action, he was under moral Obli-
CATION to aid in every way TO reduce the
public burden.
''The office of county treasurer is in
deed creation of the people," but it ap-
pears that this, and the filling of it, is
about all they have to do with it. After
that, the incumbent may farm it out to
another man, and so direct his deposits
as TO secure to lis favorite bank S per
cent. interest when per cent. is offered
by another bank, and when he has con-
fessedly secret knowledge that further
offer of 6 per cent. can be procured. Per
haps he does know of hank that would
i
sition of depository; but no county bank,
save the Brevard County State bank, bid
rs low as per cent, and they were all
applied to in the self-same way. 1t may
he that the bank in his mind felt, for OBJ
vious reasons, that it was safe against
competition.
We wish to state one or two other facts,
and then we will let our treasurer wrap
himself in Ills 'recOrd for the best inter
est of the people," and 80 to rest again,
while Mr.. Henry keeps the office, and
while the day of inspection" is rolling
arOund-that is to say, the board hat
taken action for reduction of Interest
before the late grand jury was empaneled
No offer of less than 10 per cent. was eveI
made until the board made the applica
ton for bids.
The hoard is i'm earnest about this busi
ness, and ii they cannot have the help o
the treasurer, We will attempt to accom-
tplish something more without il; and W.
will say this without pre- advice or predi
lection as to anv particular bank. Mean
time, We will spread vote of thanks il
Iour minutes if the treasurer will show u:
how and where To get that + per cent. rate
J. F. BELL,
J. r. MIoT Com. End Dist.
r. A. CoNKLING, Com. 3rd Dist.
| I,uN Il JnNES Conn lth Dist