Twice-a-week plain dealer. (Cresco, Howard County, Iowa) 1895-1913, 1905-08-25
DAVID M. EVANS.

ing foundation upon which stands so
many of the councils official acts.
But little in reply is necessary, as not
one of the PLAIN DEALERS allega.
lions is denied or proved untrue and
the charge Of greatest weight-that
OF drawing double PAYS admitted
to the extent orsrestitution Of the
money illegally drawn.
The first point taken up by Mr.. Ev-
ans, that of condemnation of cess
pools, privy vaults, etc, is evidently
done in spirit of politely informing
the PLAIN DEALER that it was its du-
ty to inform the authorities of
the existence of manure heaps, as
is indicated by the question, "Did the
author of this article ever report to
any of "these same officials. ~ We
answer yes. In such a public manner
in that identical article, that inside
of six hours from the time the PLAIN
DEALERS city mail was in the post
Office, that Shrinking heap Of manure"
was being moved, and was completely
cleaned up. Our complaint certainly
did the business. But, David, the
person contemplated by city ordi-
nance to make such complaint is a
police officer as you will find by read
| ing Sec. IS of ordinance No. 20. Ger
tainly the eagle eye that can see a
"spit" on the side walk, should be
able to see manure pile.
"Many of these cess pool are built
contrary to city ordinance. Why is
it? Oh, David! why is it?. What is
the use of electing city officials to
safeguard our health, and pay them
for their work, If they allow such fla
grant violations of statute laws and
city ordinances which provide for reg
ular cleaning and disinfecting Of cess
pools, vaults, ETC., and especially pro-
vides that they shall not be drained
off. II these two provisions of law
had been enforced by those who are
elected to do so, would not the need
of sewers, especially all through the
residence portion of the town, been
minimized.
In regard to the extension of the
water works system, Mr.. Evans seeks
to clear up the transaction somewhat
by charging an error to the city clerks
record. AS all secretary's records are
read for correction or approval at the
succeeding meetings, it is strange
that such glaring omission should
have passed the attention of the
council. The hiring of man or the
letting of a contract involving such
an amount of funds as did the Job in
question, Ger tainly merlted more at
tention than was evidently given by
the council, But all such discussion
is simply begging the question, for ac-
cording to law (Sec. 66s, Code of Iowa.
neither Mr.. Moen or any other men,
Der of the council is allowed to be
either directly or indirectly interest
ed in city job or contract. The
reason for this law should be obvious
to any person of but even ordinary in
telligence. If the council persists in
doing business on the present plan, 1t
can blame only itself for the remarks
freely made by our citizens that the
town is run by ''close corporation
ring" and for the pecuniary benehtof
that ring and It's intimate friends.
AS regards Mr.. Evans claim that the
cost of the extension was as little as 1T
would have been with competition is
rather preposterous, for If competit-
ion does not lower the cost why ask
for bids in private business, and why
does The law in many instances re-
quire bids on public works.
Just now, in Philadelphia, It's May,
or, Mr.. Weaver, is making determ.
ses frezS- 4