The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1908-10-29


taking "A pronounced stand upon
public question upon the spur of
Ne moment. At other times he may
ave AL the time necessary i'm which
make up his mind.
For the past two years, or since
he Law va, passed by the last legis.
lture. the matter of the county war.
ants held by Winters. Parson &
homer. as well as the county war
ants nov held by David McNutt,
nd the conditions under which they
ere issued have been Investigated
b our own satisfaction. at least In
bresentinL our views upon this mat.
er The Recorder has been criticised
some extent, but such criticism as
se have heard comes from those
Who ray but a nominal sum in taxes
The Recorder has been asked for
nore specific explanation OF the con-
btiOns under which these warrants
we're issued In 1894 Il petition was
presented to the county commission
Prs to let a contract for the &C nstruc-
ion Of a road, which has since been
known as the Zig Creek wagon road,
Extending from California Bar, below
.eesburg. down Napias creek 10 Big
ereek, and up Big creek to Forney,
Distance Of nearly twenty miles. This
foad was demanded on account Of the
Expense Of transportation to yellow
Packet, Which was then coming into
prnminence as mining camp.
The county co missioners adver.
tised for bids, and received three bids
for the construction of the road, the
bid of Winters, Parson & Boomer be-
ing the lowest. The contract was
then let to this irnI for the sun OF
81, 445.0O.
This firm entered the field and
made an effort to carry out their part
of the contract. The work was be-
gun in midsummer, employing
large force of men and teams, com.
pIeting the work about the first OF
November. Three viewers were then
appointed by the board, who went
over the road, reporting the same as
having been built according TO the
specifications of the engineer. Upon
the report of the viewers the board
accepted the work and discharged the
/ hrm of their obligations to the county
by issuing the warrants in full toI
the amount Of Sl4, ,445.0O, the con-
i tract price.
These warrants were held by Win .
ters, Parsons & boomer Until about /
the year 1900 when it was discovered F.
that the contract was not made and .
The variants issued in strict COM
plance with the law. The county
thereupOn refused to pay the war
rants. An action was then commenc .
ed in the court to test the validity of
the warrants, and the county succeed /
ed In having the warrants declared il /
legal Since the legislature passed a
OIL permitting the Question of paw
sion, it is now up to the people them
selves, and not In the province Of the
board Of county commissioners.
1t is now left to the people. 1t is
In their power to say whether the
county-the taxpayers OF the county
Is Wiling to repudiate, what appears
RpRnrHar
technicality. AS We stated last
week, We cannot see how county, or
any civic government can repudiate a
Just debt any more than can an indi-
'luual No one will or can question
The TACT that the county has had the
use OF this road for the past fourteen
years without it custing them PEN
ny \ county can not maintain its
credit or standing In the state any
more than an individual, il he has
Tue ability to pay, is worthy uf cTed
II II he does not meet his obligations.
county which attempts To avoid
It's moral obligations by resUrting to
the tecunical rules is no better than
an individual who attempts 10 avoid
MS obligations 5y the same means
he firm Of Winters, Parson \
huomer constructed this road in good
!aIth. During the construction OF
'He road they paid out thousands Of
dollars and other thousands IN sup
piles which all went To the benefit OF
the people of the county. Tbey paid
Their debts for labor or supplies, and
10 this respect the people Nere bene-
ntled, the county received a road al
their hands which has teen public
ueneht TO ali the citizens OF The
county, and has heen Of benefit O. the
Nho'e western country. Without
'llS road the development of that
section of the county would have
oeen an impOSSiDility. and nov IL
Ohe voters refuse t. paw these people
Tor work performed, tue people vii,
place themselves in the position OF
having invited them e. come into
Ih!s county and eNpend these large
sums OF money for the public benefit,
anu then saying 10 them, get out nOw,
We have everything cut %. yua We
ever PNuarf p. aud Mil unr nay