The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1905-03-04
LAX BUSINESS METHODS.
White Pine Commissioners
Taken to Task.
The News Stirs Up a Public Matter
In the Interest of Taxpayers
and Advocates Reform.

anu AuNOcdteS REFORM.
From the White Pine News of February 16
When the Board of Commissioners of
this county shall transact the business
of the county in open, public session
of the Board as required by law, rather
than by agreements and understandings
entered into on the street corners, then,
and not till then, may we expect the
affairs of the county to be conducted
in an economical, business-hke way.
AT the January session. the Board
deferred action on the appointment of
County Physician till the February
meeting, the county in the meantime
being without the services of q physi.
clan, with three INDECENT sick persons
requiring medical attendance. One of
the Commissioners living in Ely
engaged DIR. Wallace to look after the
county patients the other engaged
DR.. Richardson. One physician could,
1t would seem to the ordinary mind at
tend TO three patients, but you will
please to remember that the mind of a
White Pine County Commissioner is no
ordinary one hence the two physicians
and needless expense to the county of
SIS for the month of January.
We believe that Mr.. Parker was
guided in this matter by what he be
lieved to be the best interests Of the
county. He interviewed both of the
local physicians and engaged the one
whose terms were the lower. Mr..
Riepe, on the other hand, who was
elected on a platform containing this
plank:-"We pledge our nominees for
offices controlling the finances of the
county to a clean. economical and bust
ness like administration of the county's
affairs that he either wanted
to raid the County Treasury or that he
lacked the business ability necessary to
successfully conduct a peanut stand.
Chagrined at not having his own way
in the appointment Of the County Ply
sician while the Board was in session,
he seems to have had desire to pile up
the costs as high as possible as a rebuke
to the other members Of the Board.
The physician of Mr.. Riepe's choice
upon being asked what his charges
would be by the visit, replied that Of
flee calls would be 81 80 and where he
visited the patient, So. Thereupon Mr..
Riepe said, 81 want you to call on this
man Ia patient in Mr.. Riepe's hoteD at
least once q day for the rest Of the
MONTH" AS there were 27 days still
remaining in the month, one visit
a day at So visit would amount to $Sl
for the month, when the County Physi-
clan has never received more than $75
per month, and for the past year the
salary has been $50. slight idea of Mr..
Riepe's notions of economy may be ar
rived at. The physician disregarded
Mr.. Riepe's instructions, however, and
called only when his services were
needed, aud the taxpayers have just
cause to be thankful TO him that his
bill was but $33 instead Of sl33.
The bills OF both physicians amounted
to sos; the services should not have
cost more than sS5-but then it might
have been worse
The people have a right to know how
the affairs of the county are conducted,
aud when they are conducted properly
and legally the Clerks minutes of the
proceedings of the Board will show
every official act of the Board. This is
not the case now and has not been the
case for years.
1t is time that a change was made,
and the News purposes to wage this
war until the change is effected.