Jasper County Democrat, Volume 1, Number 41, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 January 1899 — Page 4 Advertisements Column 1 [ADVERTISEMENT]

Open up the books! A complete investigation of out county affairs is needed in Jasper county. Will the statistician (30 years in office) -please return to the county treasury that $36.50 for ‘•abstracting’’ on Keener tp., gravel roads? The word “e-m-b-e-z-z-l-e-»” seems to have about the same effect on the Sewer ‘'editor” as a red rag upon an angry bull. What’s the matter with the “editor?” What makes him squirm so when I the steel reaches a vital part? If Jasper county owed John Jessen for “field work on Coates ditch,” why was the claim docketed in the name of J. E. Alter and a warrant drawn for him? Refered to the statistician (30 years in office) and his deputy for explanation. “We have never made a charge for legal advertising not in accordance with law.”—Barnacle—of last summer. We would be pleased to know by what system of mathematics $8.25 can be figured out of a $1.50 notice. t An investigation of county affairs in Jasper will open the eyes of many taxpayers who have been led to believe everything was lovely notwithstanding the fact that ordinary county expenses had doubled in the past eight years without apparant reason. Well, well, will wonders never cease? The 'Sewer “editor” says he is not “law proof.” How differently he talked to some old employers who had written him during his “temporary absence” from this city in regard to some money which had “stuck" to the “editor's” fingers. Then it was—while owning up to the “irregularity”—“sue and be d ——

By the way, painful as it is, we are obliged to again call onr small-eared, bilious contemporary the Apologist’s attention to the shortage of $24,000 of the republican treasurer in “the democratic (?) county of Starke,” and only SIO,OOO in notes and securities with which to pay it. So far the eyes of the Apologist editor have failed to work when looking for news from “the democratic (?) count}’ of Starke.” “Harbor” Knotts showed his teeth last Monday for the first time, but was promptly and properly squelched. The matter was under discussion of allowing the State to bring suits to enjoin such crime-breeding joints as Roby without giving bond. Of course, “Harbor” Knotts was opposed to this. For fear of making enemies few men can be found who will sign bonds, and county officials, like Bro. Marshall, will not loose their hold upon the public teat if the whole country goes to the devil.

Mr. Frank J. Gant in a communication last week stated (giving Abraham Halleck as authority) that SB,OOO was cleared on the Marion tp. grave] road contract in 18V3. We know of no way to varify this statement, but are a little curious to know how much 8. M. McGinnis (& Co.) will dear on the Keener tp. roads. If the bond funds hold out the “freight” will undoubtedly be paid, as "freight on gravel. Keener tp. gravel roads,” is one of the stock phrases, in use for some two years on commissioners' records.