The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1916-12-07

AoS OPAiAOl. \AAOuStOA was StAl1 lO-
where in sight.
While Fristoe was investigating
and when r. E. Pratt was on his feet
urging that the board recess until it
could be determined, who wassre-
ally commissioners. McNeill began
to read the bonding reso-
luton which set forth that where
as PROSE- is the county
seat of Benton county and that it ap-
pears to be to the best interest of the
county that Prosser have court house
be it resolved that Benton county's
bonds to the amount of $125,00O be
issued for the purpose Of acquiring
site, building court house and equip
ping it. Mr.. Jeffrey, as taxpayer of
the county asked that he be heard.
The request was refused and the reso-
luton was passed with Bash voting
"No."
At this time George E. Keeler, of
the firm of Keller Brothers, of Dem
yer, submitted a written bid Offering
to buy the $125,OOO worth of 2O-year
5k per cent bonds at par. McNeill
moved that the bid be accepted and
again Mr.. Jeffrey asked to be heard.
His request was again refused and the
bonds were sold with Bash voting
"No."
After adopting an official seal and
ordering the county auditor to furnish
Keeler Brothers with transcript of
the proceedings, the board recessed.
(Houston was still nowhere in sight
and Fristoe was still investigating).
During the noon hour, however,
Houston showed up and decided that
he didn't want to be commissioner so
he called on the county clerk who sur
rendered his bond. Immediately af-
ter the board again convened he filed
a written request asking that the aud
itor return his oath of office. This Mr..
Syford declined to do, saying that it
was a part of the permanent records
of his Office and could not be given up.
Then the question of who was re-
ally commissioner broke out anew.
Auditor Syfford contended that Hous-
ton had qualified and that by with
drawing his bond and cancelling his
oath of Office he had resigned, conse-
quently there was a vacancy on the
board.
Two bills were then filed by Mr..
Zent who requested immediate pay
ment. Mr.. Syfford informed him that
it was the practice to pay bills ten
days after they had been allowed and
that they would be taken up in the
regular order Of business. One bill
was for $241.75 and was from Zent &
Powell for seal, bond register and
for printing the bonds, the other for
100000 from Ballinger, Battle, Hull
bert & Shorts, of Seattle (including
the servises Of Messrs. Caldwell &
Masslich, of New York; was for the
preparation Of proceedings relative to
the bond issue, preparations, of the
transcript of the proceedings and pre-
parations of the bonds.
Clements and McNeill were just
oiling up the steam roller for another
run when a telegram was received
from Judge Bert Linn restraining the
board from any further action in con-
nection with the bond issue.
The order was issued upon COM
plant of H. A. Bier, Of this city, who
alleged that the commissioners were
not acting in good faith nor proceed
ing in a regular or legal manner. The
original order called for hearing or
Wednesday of this week, but in a later
order Judge Linn set the case fol
Wednesday of next week.
! AS soon as news of the proceedings
reached this city Monday morning At
torney M. M. Moulton at once begar
the preparation of the complaint. II
order to get it properly before th'
court it was necessary to dispatch {
man to Prosser to file it with th'
clerk, while Mr.. Moulton took the trail
for Ritzville to have the order signed
by Judge Linn.
With the taxpayers in this end o
the county thoroly aroused over TIN
high-handed methods of the two com
missioners and with those two mel
apparently determined to put thru tn
bond issue at any cost, a bitterl,
fought legal battle promises to fol
low. The case started in the name o
Mr.. Bier, but backed by the citizens o
Kennewick and the surrounding coun
try, is being handled by Moulton
Jeffrey, who may possibly call in as
sociate counsel.
CHEER FOR THE NEEDY