Evening Republican, Volume 14, Number 259, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 31 October 1910 — Some More Democrat Questions Answered By the Republican. [ARTICLE]

Some More Democrat Questions Answered By the Republican.

In a recent issue of the Jasper County Democrat questions were asked of the Rensselaer Republican about the hiring of experts to examine the books of the county and one was the cause for the hiring of W. E. Heal, whose bid was $1,900, instead of John W. Coons, of Indianapolis, whose bid was $1,700. The Democrat says that Mr. Coons furnished gjltedged recommendations. The reason for not hiring Coons was the fact that he had worked in Newton county, and the reports of his work there did not meet up to the recommendations he had furnished. Judge Hanley talked with the commissioners and advised that Heal be employed Instead of Coons. That seemed a mighty good reason and Heal was chosen. The county commissioners wished to save the county the expense of a second examination and Mr. Heal was asked to furnish a statement from Governor Marshall that his report was to be accepted as final and no other accountants were to cover the same period, thus saving the county the additional expense. Heal thought he could furnish this statement but the governor decided not to do it and the contract with Heal was' made without it. The commissioners’ record shows this. * The Democrat wants to know if any of the shortage reported by "the accountant was paid in. Yes, John W. Tilton, recorder, had made an error amounting to $6 and this was paid in on June 6, 1910, as shown by report on file in the auditor’s office. Former Sheriff John O’Connor paid into the treasury $308.95, which were fees to which he believed he was entitled, and there is still some uncertainty as to whether or not he was entitled to the fees. C. C. Warner and J. N. Leather man have made no settlement. Mr. Warner had made a clerical error in' the first report he made after his introduction into office and Mr. Leatherman had made an error amounting to $4. The balances charged to them by the examiners were for fees and they considered that they were entitled to them and that the report of the examiners was only an opinion that they were not. There were and are cases pending in other courts affecting these and the officials are willing to abide by these decisions and make settlement accordingly. There, have been cases decided in favor of “rae officers and there is no reason why jasper county should engage in the expense of a suit while others were being carried to the supreme court. The report showed A. G. Hardy due the county $200.36 and John F. Major due the county $19.25. These were for disputed fees and probably outlawed. The report showed that S. R. Nichols had $2.70 in his favor and that the county owed R. B. Porter, former recorder, $33.37. This money has be n retained for the same reason. Mr. Babcock could have secured this information by consulting the records at the court house, but, since he wanted the Republican to. do the work, we cheerfully comply.