The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1906-02-22
WRITER DEFENDS
COMMISSIONERS
The independent Received Communication
Which Plainly Shows That the Writer is
Biased Thinks Carroll and Richardson did
Right.

The independent received the
following communication from
one OF its readers and according
to our policy to publish all com
manications where they are
couched in the proper language,
ne give the articlespace. We do
go, realizing that the writer's
view is a most unpopular one,
and the Independent does not
for one moment believe as this
writer says he does. The indie
pendent editor sat during the
entire trial Of the commissioners,
and we are as certain that the
two commissioners who were re-
moved by Judge Goss are as
guilty OF the charges they were
convicted on, as we arr that
night follows day. The writer,
We believe, heard little Of the
trial, hence his biased opinion.
He evidently is honest in what
he rays. The Independent has
not tho space nor the time to
dwell upon this article, but all
that is necessary, we believe to
convince our readers that we are
right, is to refer to the report OF
the commissioners trial in last
weeks Independent. The report
is very fair and most complete:
Editor Ward County independent
The writer Of this communication
does not himself know what may be the
truth about the actions of our late
county commissioners, and does not pre-
sumo to Judge positively concerning
them. Furthermore, he has absolute
confidence in the integrity and much
confidence in the ability and good jndg-
ment of the judge who ordered them re-
moved from Office. But he believes that
we all of US have right to our opinion,
even if it happens to be opposed to that
of just judge, and he also thinks that
the present, when Messrs Richardson
and Crcroll are being condemned on all
sides, is a fit and proper time to say
word IN their defense.
In the first case, let me say unquali-
hedly that am opposed to graftin every
form. If the commissioners we're guilty
of the charges preferred against them,
they should have been removed, no
matter how much similar graft there
may have been before or now in similar
positions. Without doubt some of their
actions we're open to criticism. The at
tempt to cancel Auditor Fabrick's bond
by summary process, which is said to
have originated with them, was in my
opinion unfair and TO be condemned.
They have at least been careless at
times, and have in certain cases charged
greater fees than the law allowed. But
mistakes, slight irregularities, and a
high handed manner. if without wrong
full intent, should never be held sufficient
to remove from office men elected by the
people, who have worked hard and
faithfully for the county. 1t Is by Their
intent and general range Of conducLthat
they must be judged. and for one fail
to see that any real and substantial
wrong on their part has been shown.
While we cannot excuse them for mis-
deeds because of any other good they
have done, it is only fair and right that
we should first consider their general
record. These men have worked hard
for the county during the past three
years. Never before have we had a
hoard so businesS-like n making needed
improvements in our fast growing
county. They have, as rule, worked
Apsd, land careful investigation of their
acts by men who had become their per
s6nal enemies failed to unearth more
than few circumstances wherein they
could be criticized. For this efficient
work we at least owe them some graft
tude.
Next / should like to correct what
seems to me certain unfair statements
and hints in your paper Of last week In
the first place, if the commissioners did
all that has been charged against them.
the effect on raising taxes in the county
would be very slight. The few dollars
ovsrpay drawn by them, the discounts al
lowed to Dinnie, the rebatement of the
Parker taxes while they might repres-
ent considerable sum to you or me,
would hardly make one cents difference
in your taxes or mine. We must look
elsewhere for an explanation of our nigh
taxes, if they really are too high, while
it is these men we have to thank for the
ina prDyements that we see all around Us
in the county. Acts of carelessness on
the part of the commissioners are also
criticized in your paper OF course such
acts are to be condemned but how
strongly? We must remember that they
were very busy men. Is there lawyer
that never makes a mistake in drawing