Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1912-01-12
CITY COUNCIL In WAR
OVER BACK SALARY

city council last night over that mat
ter of possible collection of money
paid city officials, and employees in
excess of the charter stipulation.
Herzinger and Stricken of the old
guard were acrimonious and full of
fight.
AT the previous meeting a reso-
luton was adopted instructing City
Attorney Colv'g to report as to
whether in his opinion any money
had been paid illegally and whether,
in his opinion, the city had author
ity to get il back. The city attorney
reported last night. He made ver-
bal report in which he stated that
his Investigations show that the city
attorney of the past two years had
drawn 5000 not authorized by law;
that the auditor had drawn 1915
not authorized, and the city treas
urer $3.50, that the council had or
dered his money paid in each in
stance by resolution, but could not
do so legally, except by ordinance,
or amendment of the charter.
Then the artillery opened. Her
Finger arose in mighty wrath and
said.
The fair-minded people of Grants
Pass have no fault TO find In this
matter, but people who are trying to
get reputation and who pay the
least taxes have made this matter
street talk and it should be stopped.
A good citizen of this town, who,
through years of work and honest
dealings, is known as a fair-minded
and upright man, need only TO serve
one year on this council to be brand-
ed as thief and liar. These crit
ics would have 1t appear, before they
get through with it, that council
man would slay his, own neighbor."
At this point Councilman Clark in
terjected a iocular remark to the eff
feet that If matters were as serious
as that that he did not know but
what he would resign.
Mr.. Herzinger continued by say
ing that 1--WE have here one of the
prettiest little cities on the coast
every man in office and on the coun
Gil have worked for its interests a.
all times, and while my remarks JUS
uttered were meant in Joking way
yet / want to say that this talk o.
misappropriation of funds should b'
stopped"
Then Stricken, acting mayor IL
the absence of Mayor Smith, got int
the game. He said:
The city's worksshas been dom
well by the police judge and others
who had always acted for the bes
interests of the city and they wer'
handicapped, as is the present coun
Gil, by being compelled to work un
der charter that was adequate 70
town of 500 peoples but not for
city of 5000 people. The YER
question that has brought about thi
trouble the present council is nov
seeking to adjust by special cleo
tion.'
Stricken then offered resolution
signed by himself, Herzinger an
Wolfersberger which asked that n
further action be taken in the bac
salary matter. That resolution read
as follows:
Whereas, the common council ha
previous to January J., 1912, foun
1t necessary in order to conduct tn
, city's business and protect the prop
erty and preserve the peace of tn
- community, to pay salaries in ea
= cess of that provided by charte
that was intended for city of
| much smaller population.
Whereas, this action was take
publicly and no protest was filed q
that time, and
r Whereas, there is an initiative pt
I tition on file in the auditor and pt
lice judges office to confer this pow
er on the common council at tn
present time. and
Whereas, there has been no il
S tention on the part OF the commo
$ council other than working for tn
: best interests of the people. Ther'
J. fore be 1t
!. Resolved, First, that no action t
!, taken to refund this additional sa
/, airy.
s Second, that II possible, retroa
d tive legislation be placed In II
> hands Of the people to legalize tn
action.
II. L. HERZINGER,
F. d. SrRICKER,
j. F. WOLFERSBERGER.
At the close of the reading of d
hat