The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-03-13
Facts That
the Voters of
Rock Island
County
Should
Know

! Rock Island Sand & Gravel Co.
$457.56. Page 344..
Rock Island Hardware Co. $3L3o-
Page BAL.
Rock Island Hardware Co, $5S.7S.
Rock Island Hardware Co, sos
Page 381.
Rock Island Sand & Gravel Co.
$1.00. Page 381.
Rock Island Hardware Co, $3.50
Page $50.
Rock Island Hardware Co, $5.S6-
Page 2S4.
Rock Island Sand & Gravel Co.
$933.39. Page 2S4.
Rock Island Hardware Co.
$118.3O. Page 2S4.
Some of these matters were ap-
parently brought to the attention OF
the Grand Jury, as in Book ~O"
Page 301, Supervisors Records, the
following communication from the
Grand Jury appears:
Whereas it has been customary
for many members of the Board Of
Supervisors to furnish material and ,
labor to the County. and for such
members as part of the Board, toA
allow and pass upon such bills, and
whereas, It is contrary to nature for
one member to scrutiniZe too close
ly a claim of another member when
such other member must In turn
pass upon his claim; and
Whereas, no man can properly
represent both parties to any tran
saction; and
Whereas, for this reason the law
will not enforce a contract made by
an agent between himself and his
principal
Be 1t Resolved, That the Grand
Jury call the attention of the mem
bers of the Board of Supervisors
and the voters of Rock Island
County to such conduct; and
Whereas, it has been customary
for the Board OF Supervisors IN buy
ing supplies not kept by MEMBERS
of the Board, to distribute such pUr-I
chases among many dealers in
small quantities and thus losing to
the county the advantage of buying
large quantities on a cOmpedtfFet
basis, thus forming a basis for per-
sons unfriendly to the Board to con-
clude that many small purchases
are made at maximum pEies tOi
close the mouths of such dealers as
to the sales made by members of
the Board.
Be 1t Resolved, that the Grand
Jury call the attention of the Board
of Supervisors, and the voters Of
Rock Island County to this condi-
ton. with a view of saving money
for the County by having the sup
plies of this County purchased at
the lowest market price instead OF
the highest market price.
Be It Further Resolved, that We
recommend to the County Board, /
that all of the County supplies be-
purchased through one purchasing
agency, and that copy of this Reso-
luton be forwarded to the Board Of
Supervisors.
C. S. PETIT, Foreman
A. c. WANDER VENNET. Clerk
Apparently the influence Of
George Richmond was considerable
at that time, as motion
made by Mr.. Larkin that
the communication be tabled
was carried. l am not informed as
TO whether or not the Mr.. Larkfn
who made this motion was related
to H. ]. Larkin. Secretary of the
Rock Island Sand & Gravel Com
pany, which Company had received
the contract for the coal supply for
the year, a few months before, and
in which Company George H Rich
mond was director.
Not satisfied with the fees re-
ceiyed by him as Supervisor, and
the profit made by the Company, in
which he was interested on contract
made with the Board Of Supervisors
while he was Chairman, George de-
cided to run for Sheriff, and after he
had been nominated, and at a time
when his election was practically
assured, and while he was still
Chairman OF the Board Of Super
visors, a Committee of the Board
was authorized TO look into the
matter OF the Sheriff's salary. There
were five men on this COMMITTEE
Three of them made a majority r--
port. increasing the salary 81 te
Sheriff TO SO 500, and allowing 81 lsBr
for Deputy and Clerk hire, station
cry and other expenses, and also
authorized the purchase of a tour
ing car TO be used by the Sheriff
Two OF the committeeman made a
minority report, fixing the salary Of
the Sheriff at $4,000 per year. Need
less 10 say the majority report was
adopted, even without the vote OF
the Chairman, who was excused
from voting This record may be
found in Book 20" Of Supervisors
Records, on Pages 3s2 and 3s3.
Signed,
nR B. KENNEDY.