The Rich Hill tribune. (Rich Hill, Mo.) 1903-1911, 1904-06-02
Judge March Talks.

80 MUCH aVNSa AAiaAs ArAAtf FeaA-~~
larry in the Salary and Contingent
Funds, that lately some Of our war
rantA have gone to protest, a condi-
ton which we have not had to con-.
front for about IS years. and II is to
show to you why II is 50 that this is
written. Having been a member
Of the county court longer than
those with whom / am associated.
we felt that it was our duty to make
an explanation.
When we began TO build the
court house, and before any money
bad been raised by taxation for that
purpose, We transferred $4,000 from
the salary fund to the court house
fund. which amount has never been
replsced. The wages of the Super
iniendent, amounting in all TO some
thing like 81, 500, also came from
this fund, and after the jail delivery
IN the latter part Of 1900, the Cir
cult Judge ordered guards kept
night and day at that institution.
These were kept until after the ex-
ecution Of Dr.. Gartrell. when the
day guard was discharged, but the
night man is sull on the pay roll.
This has caused an increased ex-
pendiiure Of probably s., 200 more
than in former years. These three
items alone, which l have named,
amount to nearly 10000 and could
this amount be replaced, would be
more than enough to sustain that
fund the remainder of the year.
When the contract was let for the
new court house warrant for
SIIe5, w1s drawn on the contingent
to pay the architect for bis plans
and ereeiEcations, which was , =
per cent of the contract price Of the
building; moving IRON the old
building to the one rented, building
q temporary vault, paying rent al
from $50 to SIS per month, and
moving into the new house after its
completion are some Of the eXpens-
es that the erection Of a nsw count
house alwas brings in Its iTain. The
steel vault furniture cost about S1,-
900; benches and railing for Cir
4 cult conu room, 5000; furnishings
and extra work ordered by Circuit
Judge for same room and Circuit
! Clerks office, about 5000 more
electric light fixtures $3.50: con-
crete walks, same amount, desks,
tables, railing, etc, $500 mote
and the board OF prisoners has eos'
the county four thousand (S4ooo)
dollars more for the last three years
than ever before in the same leng,h
OF time. Then add to the forego-
ing list an enormous criminal cost
bin snd you can readily understand
why the contingent fund has become
depleted.
In conclusion We wish 20 say thai
20 the best OF our ABILITY, In al
matters over which we had control.
we have tried TO expend iudieiouslY
and with economy the revenues
which you have entrusted 10 ou'
care. That We have made mistakes
we do no, deny; but no court has
ever looked after the expenses more
closely aud lried to keep oug those
that were unnecessary than We have
But in spite Of al We ooald DO, and
all ,he ptotests We eould make 10,
much OF your money Is spent 'ior
that which Is not bread"
One needed not the giit of pro
pheey TO foreteil that these thing
mus, shortly come 10 pass. for
was plain 10 be seen, thsi under th'
existing order OF things IL was only
a question OF time until our pape'
must 90 TO protest. You who con.
tribute the hard-earned products o.
your toll that YOU may bear you
share OF the expenses OF oor eoun-
Tvs government may Well ask Wh'
a a. thst ,ssa haNa f,,sf>a ak mann