The daily tribune., 1905-01-20
raI WATER mJuscrloa.
4. b. Danfssth Expresses His Vssvs
"a the Case.

year issss sf the Issh. rseardino shs
mater Of she water rent - NF.
0aussr's rssidescs wss % fall q e.
rors and evidently Inspired by his
ssenies that ask space 70 naks .
correct sssseoept Of the fscss.
paid 70 the city clerk all the
water isnts due from companies rep
resented BY Mr.. Gamaer and ipelsd-
ing sbe water rent for his restAsoes.
bat - the rsntal for lawo vassr.
which 10 an entirely separate tap froa
the hooss. was . very large soesst.
being ei&4.oo for six monshs. sold
the city clerk that did not care 70
pay that until Mr. Gamser's return
in order that he might have . chance
to psss upon its msrits.
/ distinctly stated. however. that
l did not dispute the correotness Of
the bill. but only desired that Mr..
Gumasr, who was familiar with
the facts. might decide.
The city clerk could SEQ no rea-
son why she should not aocept the
tl12 which I paid her and did 20
~ would any sensibls business per-
son who was not ambued with preju-
dice. hatred and spite.
When. however, the water super.
intendent, stesn, the city attorney.
Wilkes, and the chairman Of the water
committee. George Wilson. heard
what WAS proposed they instructed
the superintendent to shut on the
water 1t the house unless immedia.
tely paid the rental for the lawn.
The delay OF short time in the pay.
ment Of the lawn renta. in no way
jeopardized the city's claims or
rights.
On the other hand the threat to
shut of the water from the residence
WAS purely and entirely piece Of
spite work ON the part Of the three
officials above named. who use the
powers which their public office
gives them in order to vent their per-
sonal animosities.
In view Of this situation there was
but one appeal an that was to . court
of equity which promptly decided that
city officials must be restrained from
such sots Of petty spite in the inter-
ests of justice.
Mr. Gumaer. through the companies
which he represents pays $500 . year
water rents and pays some %. 600 taxes
. year into the treasury Of this city
and county, yet every cur who gains
little brief authority through being
elected to some public office here i'm
mediately begins to show his efficiency
and try to gain the applause Of the
hoodlum gallery by making some
spiteful attack upon Mr.. Gumaer and
his business interests.
This man Steen derives immense
pleasure from insulting everyone in
the performance Of his duties and
last su.~mer . petition was started
for his removal which would have
received hundreds Of signatures. The
petition was withdrawn At the re-
quest Of Mr.. Hughey Houston who
guaranteed that Mr.. steen should
behave himself hereafter.
Mr.. Wilkes has grudge against
Mr.. Gumaer because be failed to
properly perform his duties - attor.
ney for which failure Mr.. Gumaer re.
fused to pay him.
George Wilson has = grudge because
Mr.. Gumaer caughs him in . matter
which may soon be brought to the at.
tention of the grand jury.
Cannot the people of Florence elect
public officials who are on = little
higher plane of respectability than
these men and who will not prosti-
tute their public Offices to srstifyi
personal spite?
A. H. DANFORTH.
The Tribune holds that the city
clerk Was right in refusing to accept
the pay for Mr.. Gumaer's residence
when the money was rendered BY
Mr.. Danforth. While it is . fact