Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1922-05-10
CITY OFFICIALS ARE SUED.

Last Saturay, papers were served
upon the Mayor. Council, CLERK, Treas
urer and Contractor Connolly. charg-
ing them with having violated the law
IN the proceeding authorizing the con-
stracslon Of the reservoir near the new
VEIL and demanding return to the
city of the money spent in that pro-
iect-sonae S6.a
There is absolutely nothing to cover
up in the naatfer. Tee citizens Of vi
roqua are entitled to . full explana-
ton of the case Briefly stated. the
facts are as follows: Last summer.
our city was at all times on the verge
of a water famine With the three
pumps running at full capacity. day
and night, it was barely possible to
supply the demand, Had an energen-
cy arisen, such as a bad FIRE, a large
part of our city could have been swept
away and the fire department power
less to prevent it, Looking ahead and
seeing that the demand for water sll1st
be largely increased by reas on. re s'so-
pie hooking up to the sewage system,
and realizing that bur antequated
pumping machinery was on its last
legs. Il yrs the judgment of the eoun-
ell that the building of a reserve res
ervoa offered the one safe solution Of
The problem Accordingly, Contrac-
xsr Connolly was asked to prepare an
estimate and submit it to the council.
He did so, in the sum above mentioned.
State Engineer kirchoffer was pres
ent at this meeting of the council, and
was astonished at the figure presented
He asked Connolly If he would construct
the reservoir at that figure, and upon
( being answered in the affirmative, Mr.
Kirchoifer informed the mayor and
/ council that the reservoir Just being
completed at Clintonvville according
TO the same identical plans and speci-
fieations had cost practically $1,000
more--being let to the lowest bidder
This was for summer digging, and oul
reservoir was constructed in the win.
I ter time, adding greatly TO its cost Il
the contractor. 1t is most conserya-
tive to say that saving of at least
$1,000 was made by at that time pass.
ing resolution giving Connolly the
contract, instead of letting ii to bids
and having to hold up the work fol
weeks when every day was needed,
1 As to the point of law involved, the
4 Censor editor is not a lawyer and can,
not say But we do know that even i
The letter of the law was violated, the
spirit Of the law was not. The let.
ter Of the law killeth, bat the spirit
giyeth life.n It is conceded that tbs
job was necessary. that the city goi
far more than its moneys worth, that
the job was done according TO propei
plans and specifications and under The
supervision of d competent state engi.
neer. And it might also be added thai
the city paid nothing for the plans il
this instance, while ordinarily the cost
Z of plans IS seven per cent. Certainly
this places all the right and justice
upon the side of the city officials 0p-
posed to this is an alleged technical
violation of the law-nothing more
We leave our readers to judge IS tc
the merits Of the case. We have dealt
with the matter very calmly IN this
issue. in spite Of our indignation oyei
the injustice of il. As new develop
ments occur, the Censor viii comment
as the merits of the case require.