Monte Vista journal and Monte Vista graphic-reporter., 1924-10-24
ANSWER TO RUARK

Having been requested to answer
the pledge" being circulated by the
Democratic Candidate for County
Judge, submit the following:
l understand that MIR. Ruark is
running for the office of Judge and
Acting Clek" OF the County Court.
The plan of trying to officiate as
Judge and Acting Clerk was follow
ed by prior County Judges. except
one, and in every instance it was
failure. When became County
Judge, found hundreds Of cases
not indexed and without proper
records and many with no record at
all. l found 130 probate matters
where the titles had not been enter
ed on the register OF actions. many
Of them with all the files missing.
I found page after page of the Court
Journals left blan~ where instru-
ments were supposed to have been
recorded. An incomplete record of
divorce, discovered after subsequent
marriage, left one woman in sorry
plight. That condition has extend
ed over period Of nearly forty
wears and is a disgrace to R1o
Grande County. In dealing with the
property and rights Of minors great
care is required and in Probate mat
ters every formality must be observ-
ed that is prescribed by law for the
protection of such rights. This re-
auires a great amount OF clerical
work and is now being promptly at
tended to. We now have much more
County Court work than formerly.
believe that q regularly employed
and bonded clerk is necessary Tor
the County Court, and intend II
re-elected. to keep such a clerk and
have the Court records kept accord
ing to law. Every cent that ! have
caused to be spent as County Judge
has been with the approval OF the
With the consent OF the County
Commissioners. County Court Cham
bers were established at Monte Vista
for public convenience. More than
rs per cent Of the business arises
in the East end OF the county. and
more Of the Judges work Is done In
Monte Vista than in Del Norte, ana
particularly the study OF legal ques-
tions. the County having only
small part of library. The county
allows $4,000 per month for this ex-
pense and Il includes the services OF
my stenographer about half her
time. telephone. typewriters, library
and the use of my office for County
business nearly every day. We save
the public. in expenses and mileage
of officers, witnesses and Court pat
rons. more than the cost OF Court
Chambers. II is out OF the question
to ask all juvenile probationers to
go to Del Nprta for reports, TO the
Judge. For nearly two years ] fur
nished the Court Chamber, free of
charge to the County. but ! cannot
afford to continue that
Mr.. Ruark plans TO receive *lSo
per month from the County. l re-
ceiye 800 per month for salary and
sac per month for Court Chambers.
and pay all my own travelling ex-
penses, hotel bills, etc, out OF my
own pocket. did not seek this Of
flee for the money that 1t pays ana
I can make as much out OF the couh-
" Court practice. as nm attorney
as | can as Judge. ! sought IN"
office for the honor and presose
tina, II would bring to me. believing
tha, l could decide cases In the
County Court so well that the peo-
pie of this community might want
me for some more important, work.
;. Respectfully submitted
q II NJ HOWARD,