The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1904-02-12
Another DIG on RANGES.

/ the enormous task or Keeping check on
the county funds and propose to start
on the range roads as Dulnth has
roads enough for the wise ones. The
Duluth Herald says that papers in the
appeal have been served on the county
auditor. Considerable time was spent
in discussing the peculiar phases OF
the affair. at the meeting of the
county commissioners Friday.
The claim of Road Commissioner
John Armstrong for tile month of
December is held up, and the claims
of five road foremen employed in the
different commissioners districts.
The seven taxpayers who have 'ap-
pealed from the allowance OF the
claims are Chester A. Congdon, VIM.
NJ. Prindle. T. t. Hudson, Henry S.
Mahon, j. H. Upham, Benjamin F.
Myers, and Victor Stearns.
This is the second time the claim
of Road Commissioner Armstrong has
been held up. AT the present time
there is pending in district court,
awaiting a decision, a case that he
brought against the county to recover
his claim for November.
II if understood the taxpayers who
have taken the appeal contend that
the bills are excessive. They claim
Mr.. Armstrong could not well put in
TWENTY-FIVE days in December. work.
ing in the interest of the county roads,
for which he presented "a bill for sl25.
1t is also commended that the road
furemen's bills should be held up, on
the ground that the board has no
right to accept the affidavit of the
foremen that lie has employed a GER
tain person SO many days and that
there is due to him certain amount
of wages. The taxpayers say there is
no check on the f0remen under this
system, and lie might easily pad the
payroll. 1t is alleged that the state
examiner has also raised an objection
to this system of paying road fore
mems bills.
The county commissioners do not
take kindly TO this move on the part
OF the taxpayers, not that they have
any objections to questions raised. or
TO an investigation made as to the
claims allowed by lie board. but they
think the Taxpayers should come be-
fore the board and point out any in
stance wherein they believe the
county money is being unnecessarily
spent. rather than cause the trouble
and expense of a lawsuit.
Under the state law seven taxpayers
OF county can petition the county
attorney and he must appeal from the
allowance of any claim that the board
may have allowed. Whether the claim
has or has not been approved by the
county attorney makes no difference.
The county attorney goes before the
judge OF district court. after filing ap-
peal papers in district court, and a
time is set for the filing of a complaint
against the county by the person
whose claim has been held up. Tile
claimant must go TO the expense. of
hiring an attorney and fight the
county over claim which the board
has already decided to be justone.
The county attorney, who must act
for the county, is placed in the posi-
ton of fighting claim which lie may
himself have advised the board of
commissioners as all right.
In the Armstrong case already tried
before Judge Dibell, Assistant County
Attorney Crosby really appeared for
both sides, stating the facts in the
case TO the court, and leaving it for
his decision, but Mr.. Crosby says he
will not again undertake to do 80.
j. B. Cotton. attorney for the Du-
luth, Mssabe s. Northern road APP
peared before the board Friday in IL e
matter of some roads which are said
to occupy land where there in an iron
ore deposit and which have been es-
tabliShed through common usage
rather than action by the commits
sioners. Under the state law il a road
or highway is commonly used for six
years il becomes Il county road with
out action by the board and Mr. Cot
ton notified the board that some of
the roads would have to be closed be-
fore the time limit expired
Commissioner Kauppi claimed that;
the county has already spent COM
siderable money ON some of the roads.
mentioned and he thought the matter
should be thoroughly investigate be-
fore the county gave up any of the,
highways. On this resolution the
committee on highways and bridges
was instructed to look into the.matter.
The condition Of our health is such
that we cannot attempt to, write up
the hold-up as it appears TO us. hut
will look the matter up thoroughly