The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-07-06
New Court House BY Overcoming
Obsolete Restriction.
ALLEN ASKED FOR OPINION
Concerted Movement on Foot To Eyade
Provision Limiting County Indebted
ness to 5000. Contractor In City to
Submit New Proposition.

II II the efforts now making are carried
to a successful issue, Clatsop county,
new court house may soon be a reality
The people want a new court house. and
their sentiment is shared by the ONO.
ials Of the county. Ever since work was
suspended on the building, enterprising
citizens have been casting about for
some means Of completing the struc.
ture, and It Is just possible that way
out OF the dilemma will be found.
Yesterday Contractor Dougan arrived
in the city from Seattle for the purpose
OF discussing the situation with mem.
bers Of the County Court. Mr.. Dougan
holds the contract for construction OF
the court house, but when the supreme
court OF the State Of Oregon held that
an obsolete provision OF the constitu
tion limiting counties TO indebtedness OF
5000 applied to all counties, and that
Clatsop could not incur the indebted.
ness which construction of the court
house would entail. the contractors
agreement became void The foundation
was completed, at a cost OF more than
$4,000. and the stone basement was
well under way when the contractor
packed up his tools and left for Seat.
tie.
There are several ways to secure the
new court house, despite the obsolete
provision responsible for the present un.
fortunate situation, but the one most in
favor is now under consideration
Briefly, il is purposed to have the court
house built with private money. and,
when the building is ready for occu-
pancy, to arrange, with the men who
advance the necessary money for
ease until such time as the county can
'ay off the cost by means of a special ,
evy. The question now at issue Is as
o whether or not an arrangement of
his sort can be legally made.
For some time past Judge Trenchard
nd Commissioners Clarke and Larson c
ave been figuring on the proposal and I
hen the County court met yesterday IL
was decided to refer the question d
boye stated to District Attorney Har- g
son Allen for an opinion. Mr.. Aliens ci
pinion will probably not be rendered f'
n a week to come, as he will neces- 10
lrily be careful about advising the ia
Ounty court. II he should decide that ia
le county may mortgage the court nj
'use to some person who will advance
e money for its construction and that
Arrangement can be entered into be.
'een the capitalist and the county
hereby the latter can return to the Ii
rmer in installments the amount in.
lived, then the court house may be
lit. mi
1t was stated yesterday that Con. liv
Ictor Dougan had a proposition to Nc
Dmit to the County court, but that th'
would not be submitted until the on
nion of District Attorney Allen had
N rendered. just what Mr.. Dougan dis
J in view was not divulged, but 1t Is hot
'wn that he is working to get the ne
struction under way again. He is ne'
touch with some men of means and me-
erprise. and it is thought probable A
t, should the opinion of the district ed
'ney be favorable, arrangements gro'
: be made without difficulty for the MOI
mption of work. smo
he County court, while always ad- nesi
ng to the principle that the court ana
'e should be building of which the BODY
lie would be proud, now appreciates ed
concessions must be mace on all
, and it is planned to modify the
hcations and reduce the cost of the Th
'ture originally contemplated. The pOne
upon which the contractors fig. tist
including furnishings, called for mem
expenditure of about 100000. The
shings were to be elegant, and the c.
lor finishing was also to be beauti. West
the plans calling for considerable -
lie.
", however, members of the County -.
hope to be able to modify the or.
plans so that the cost of the "a
ng may be reduced by $4,000 or
o. Already nearly $4,000 has
expended on the building and if
lion of $4,000 can be effected there
e balance of but $4,000 or $75,.
necessary for completion. The