The Arvada enterprise. (Arvada, Colo.) 1908-1970, 1916-04-13
Town Board Has
Interesting Session

~SOOsOss
The town board met Monday
night and transacted the towns
business in very much the usual
way.
Mayor Davis was in the chair
and all members except Trustee
Williams were present. Trustee
Sanderson was in his accustomed
place, having returned home to
stay. H. G. Cannon, who was
nominated at the mass conven-
ton for Mr.. Sanderson's place
on the board, when it was
thought that he was not coming
back, resigned without taking
his place, and Mr.. Sanderson re-
mains on the board.
The bills and claims were read
and approved upon motion by
Gorich seconded by Campbell.
Attorney Campbell served notice
on the board that in the future
the matter of members of the
board receiving pay for services
rendered the city or for supplies
would be liable to prosecution as
certain persons had served no.
tice on him that they would see
that the law covering that point
would be enforced.
The members of the board do
not believe that the taxpayers
of Arvada as whole are in SYM
pathy with movement of this
kind, as it would mean six
months in Jail and $1,000 fine
for each member of the board
who had directly or indirectly
been a party to such transac-
tons, provided there was a con-
viction and the law was carried
out to the letter.
They maintain that such law
was written into the statutes to
protect the taxpayers Of large
cities where the opportunity for
graft is afforded and where it
can be shown that the taxpayers
have been imposed upon by col
fusion of the town officials. At
torney Campbell said he did not
Lv,.GVc that any such a condition
eXistcu Al Arvada. that all trans
actions. IN his opinion, had been
strictly on the square and that
the taxpayers had value received
for their money.
1t was pointed out the men,
bers of the board. who have re-
ceived money for their services
are representative property own
ers and are always the first to
donate their money and their
services for public improvements,
etc.
While they recognize the fact
that some object. Yet they be-
lieve that inasmuch as such a
question has never been raised
before and that it has been the
custom of members of the board
from time immemorial to work
for the town while on the board
and to furnish supplies to the
town. that expediency still de-
mands the same custom.
1t cannot be denied that it will
be difficult to get men to serve
on the board who do not have
either their wares or their labors
to sell to who ever wants it,
whether it be private individu-
al or the town.
In this connection the Enter
prise is able to cite the case of
People VS.. Brown Of Buena Vista
wherein the indictment was
quashed; the coart holding that
the terms Of the statute did not
contemplate implied contracts,
such as open accounts for sup
plies. but that it was construed
to operate against express con-
tracts. where bids are received
and the price is specifically un.
derstood and agreed upon.
The Enterprise has no inter-
est IN this matter more than to
see our town move along smooth.
~ both in municipal, CONNER.
cial and social way, and we do
not believe that the movement
TO enforce this law to the letter
is justified by the exigencies of
of the case.