Middletown transcript., 1904-02-27
Mr.. QUIGLEY
EXPLAINS
Clerk of Peace Declares He
Did Not Want Typewriter
MAKES LUCID STATEMENT

MAKES LUCID STATEMENT
Clerk of the Peace Winfield S. Quigley
Tuesday addressed the Levy Court at
some length to explain that he did not
order the new typewriter placed in his
office recently.
At the session OF the Levy Court a
week ago Commissioner Megginson OBJ
jected to the county paying for type
writer for the Office of the clerk OF the
peace, and set forth six reasons why he
objected. Mr.. Quigley Tuesday morn
ing requested the privilege OF the floor to
make statement. as he felt he had been
placed in wrong light by the discussion
in the Levy Court and the newspaper
publicity given it. Mr.. Quigley discussed
the matter calmly, and clearly set forth
his position. He said:
"The question brought to the attention
OF the court at its last meeting concerning
the purchasing of a typewriter for the
office of the clerk Of the peace was unfair
and not true. Mr.. Megginson, who
made the remarks then, must have known
or should have known, being a member
OF the court, that had never made re-
quest for a typewriter, and if he had
asked the committee having those mat
ters in charge they could have only an
swered him in the negative, The first
criticism concerning the purchase OF an
automobile presume he intended for
joke. The second part Of the statement
where bill presented by Charles G.
Guyer for $ll7 for typewriter and desk
for the office of Clerk of the Peace Quig-
ley is not true.
Taking up the six reasons why 1t
should not have been purchased, Mr..
Quigley said they were not applicable to
the case. as the machine was not pur-
chased for his Office but for the use and
benefit of members of the Levy Court
themselves. Since Mr.. Megginson ex-
pressed his reasons Mr.. Quigley said he
would reply to them.
"To the first reason would say that
am we'll aware that the office pays fees,
and not salary, and accepted the NOM
ination of my party and was afterward
elected by the people, who also had the
same knowledge" said Mr.. Quigley.
Second, as to it being the best paid
office in the county would refer them to
the report published by the auditing COM
mittee Of the county, and the figures there
will speak for themselves. As to the
item that am paid $29 for each sitting
of the court, would say that am paid
a salary of $1,000 a year and am COM
PEELED to be at every sitting of the court
As to letters sent out notifying of this
courts matters being paid for, would
say that my charges for that work will
not amount to ten dollars in the three
years have served the court. He also
stated that the work in my Office is filling
in blanks. This is true, therefore, I do
not need a typewriter. His last reason
was if it is desirable to have a machine
the emaluments OF the office are ample to
furnish it. That also is true, and if l
need typewriter for my own use will
pay for it myself. The machine was
placed in my office by direction of the
chairman Of the committee having the
matter in charge, who told me it was for
the use of the Levy Court Commissioners,
stating that it would impose additional
duties upon me. He asked me if my
clerks would do this work without extra
charge. told him yes. Instead of as
sisting or benefiting my office, it is i'm
posing additional duties upon it without
compensation, to which l have not the
least objection, as 1 feel We should do
everything in a clerical way to assist the
Levy Court in the discharge of their
duties.
"I am at a loss to understand why
these comments were made and why /
should be brought into this controversy.
Within the last five months there has
been typewriter purchased for a county
official, bill approved by Mr.. MeggiD-
son and ordered paid without any COM
ment..
"Mr. Guyer states that in conversation
with Mr.. Megginson on December 23d.
of last year Mr.. Megginson felt favorable
toward purchasing typewriter for my
office, and he thought he would send one
to the Office on Christmas day Mr..
Armstrong, another member of the court
also was favorably inclined toward pur-
chasing a machine for the Office, and if
the members desired one for their own
use see no reason why should be crit
icised after the machine was bought, or
that should be. dragged into the con-
troversy in any manner whatever. l de-
sire to thank the members for giving me
this opportunity to explain my position"
No action was taken by the court in
the matter Tuesday. 1t appears that
Commissioner Hopkins had the type
writer placed in Mr. Quigley's Office. Mr..
Hopkins was asked about Mr.. Quigley's
statement, and said: $50 far as / know
everything he said is true" President
Chandler speaking Of the explanation OF
Mr.. Quigley remarked: 'It was mild
statement of the facts" Mr.. Elliott, Mr.
Willis and Mr.. Mealey stated that so
far as they knew the explanation of Mr.
Quigley presented the facts of the incl
dent.