Ashland tidings. [volume] (Ashland, Or.) 1876-1919, 1914-12-10
Gillette Followed
Custom, Not Charter

Inc QUESTIONS asked OIL Recorder
Gillette by the Tidings have caused
considerable inquiry to be made as
to the financial records of the city,
and of the dealings of the recorder
or municipal judge.
The Tidings is informed and has
every reason to believe that the sys-
tenn of bookkeeping in the city hall
is adequate and simple in design, and
the clerical work most admirably
performed. In other words, every
dollar of money passing through the
office is accounted for upon the
books OF the city, and while it is
doubtless true that the distribution
of the items could be so arranged as
to simplify the making up of reports,
yet no criticism is made as to the
accuracy of the actual records of
financial transactions. The funds
are kept separate. and no errors have
been made which involve loss to the
city, as far as known.
The sole exception to the above is
in connection with the fines collected
by the recorder as municipal judge,
for violations of city ordinances.
The charter provides ALL such
fines must be turned over to the city
treasurer. We understand it has
been the custom for some years for
the recorder to retain a portion of
fines collected, and the present off
cial has followed the custom rather
than the provisions of the charter.
The charter provides that the re-
corder SHALL qualify as justice of
the peace for Ashland. thus to han
die violations of state laws within
the city. AS justice he is entitled to
retain certain fees, and the charter
so specifically states.
The present recorders predecessor
qualified as justice of the peace for
the county, and thus could handle
not only Ashland's violations of state
law, but cases in adjacent territory,
and of course was entitled to the
legalized fees.
The failure of Mr.. Gillette to quail
ify as justice. though frequently
urged, left him the judicial qualifi-
cation of municipal judge only, and
the fines collected Herewith be.
longed WHOLLY to the city
The recorder has followed the Gus
tom, rather than the charter. The
amount involved is small, approXi'
mating 500 per year. His error has
been undoubtedly lack of discrimina.
ton and judgment rather than inten.
tional wrongdoing.
Following custom is the cause OF
most of our city's present Difficult.
ties, and it is the judgment of the
Tidings that the recorder should be
man of sufficient experience and
judgment to properly handle the Of
flee duties, in spite of custom to the
contrary.
The following are the charter pro
visions verbatim:
Article TX, Section s, City Charter
'All fines collected for violation
of ordinances and all penalties ant
forfeitures collected shall be forth
with paid to the city treasurer, who
shall receipt therefor, and the re
corder shall make monthly repor
thereof to the council"
Article TX, Section 3.
THE recorder shall, in addition L
the qualifications required of him b!
the city council, qualify in like man
ner as a justice of the peace. anC
thereupon during the term of his of
flee shall have full authority and jur
isdiction of a justice of the peace foI
the county OF Jackson to act within
said city, and shall be governed b!
and subject to all the general anC
statute laws of the state of Oregon
prescribing the duties of justice o
the peace, and any and all Judgment
of said recorders court, while actint
in the capacity Of justice of tn,
peace, shall be of the same force ant
effect and subject to the same pro
ceedings as the judgments of justice
of the peace"