Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1913-01-09
COUNTY SEAT LETTER.
D. II. Barnhill Writes Upon Various
Matters of Interest.

III OIIlce is all the talk mere these
days. Mr.. Wilson, the expert ac-
countant who has been checking up
the books, says he discovered the
shortage last spring and at that time
advised Mr.. Jones to make it up,
which in his opinion would have in
sured the latter's nomination and
election. Everyone appears to have
perfect faith in the honesty of the
retiring sheriff, who has a private
detective looking for the missing
coin. If one believes current COM
ment it will not be difficult to find
where at least part of the embez-
zled funds were spent.
The consensus or opinion is that
the treasurers should collect the
taxes. These officials have repeat
edly endeavored to have the law
amended to this effect, but the sher-
ifs have been too many for them,
according to Mr.. Cronemiller. How
ever, Mr.. Wilson says that Governor
West has promised to see that the
desired change is made at the forth
coming session of the legislature.
A sheriff is chosen for his ability
as sheriff, not the clerical qualifi-
cations required to collect large
sums of money-amounting to near
ly three-quarters of a million dol
lars the past year in this county. AS
a matter of fact, this work is turned
over to a deputy.
How such large leakage could
have occurred without the sheriff's
knowledge is not clearly understood.
The law should require all moneys
received to be turned over to the
treasurer every day, instead of once
week. A detailed account of all
taxes paid is kept in what is called
the turnover book, which cannot be
kept posted up during the busy sea-
son, sometimes causing money to ac-
cumulate for several weeks in the
sheriff's office and affording unlim-
tied opportunities for peculation.
1t seems strange to see the crowds
of people going to and from Jackson
vile every day when court is in ses-
sion. 1t makes much business for
the "Cannonball Express"-so
named on account of the snail-like
pace it travels-but doesn't reflect
much credit upon the county seat
hostelries. Some of the official Wis
itors come over to Medford and pat
ronize the Montgomery House, Just
north of the depot, where splendid
meals are served in home style for
only two bits per feed. Everything
is cooked by the competent landlady
and is served SO excellently and in
such bountiful quantities that the
meals are easily worth twice the
price charged. This little notice is
given simply because the service re-
ferred to is so far above the average.
Friday evening the writer had the
pleasure of attending a social at the
Medford Presbyterian church. was
a stranger and they took me in, pin
ming onto my coat a paper bearing
my name, which, fortunately, was
known to but few, and insisting that
| should partake of the delicious re-
freshments, which were served cafe
the evening was the taking Of sub
scriptions amounting to $500, to pay
two annual paving assessments.
This interesting stunt was performed
by Mr.. Welch, who, together with
Messrs. Gore and Cooley, also did
most of the subscribing. They pro-
ceeded upon the theory that the
more you give the better you like
it." Every move Mr.. Cooley made
was taken for another subscription,
until he couldn't sneeze or scratch
his ear without being put down for
five or ten dollars.
The Medford deciples of Calvin
certainly have a swell place to wor-
ship, with pipe organ and grand
piano, orchestra and all kinds of
vocal music. Their latest acquisi-
tion is Mr. and Mrs. Haight, young
couple from England, where the lat
ter was a grand opera favorite
known as Madam Halliday. She pos