Jasper County Democrat, Volume 3, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 April 1900 — The County Council. [ARTICLE]

The County Council.

At the special meeting 6f the County Council last Monday about. SI,OOO was appropriated to pay claims carried over frem 1899 that is, bills contracted in ‘OH and which were not filedrin time to be paid before the appropriations under the new law took effect. The greater part of these bills were for township poor relief. Of the bills published in the last issue of The Democrat as having been allowed by the commissioners but not to be paid until appropriations therefor were made by the Council, some were cut, or a l-sser amount appropriated than asked for in the allowances. Among these was the bill of Foltz, Spitler & Kurrie, $41.62 for “legal opinions. ”It was found that S2O of this was for services in the case of Babcock vs. Gwin, as Gwin’s attorneys when the treasurer attempted to collect those “spite taxes.” The treasurer is paid a per cent for collecting delinquent taxes, and, even were these taxes jnet, whatever expense he was to in the matter should come out of his per cent The “gall” of some people, however, seems to be unlimited, and the county was asked to pay the bill—the commissioners had previously allowed $5 for court reporter in the lower court in this identical case. The Council very properly cut this S2O out. The vote on cutting it out stood, ayes: Welch, Yeoman, Washburn. Nays: Bellows, Eldridge. ,

There was considerable discussion about wolf scalps, and two members of the Council—Welsh and Washburn—wanted to make no allowance at all. Bellows wanted to appropriate $75. Eldredge, whose son has six young wolves now on hand, did not want to vote on the matter either way. Finally Yeomau made a motion that the sum of $50 —$30 to cover allowances already made and S2O for others to come—be appropriated, and after considerable discussion the motion was carried by a margin of one vote. decided that the Councilmen try and see the county commissioners as soon as possible and have them reduce the bounty, or, better still, wipe it out altogether. According to the report of the county auditor Jasper county paid $483.50 for wolf scalps during the eighteen months previous to Jan. 1, 1900, when no more could be paid on account of there being no appropriation. This was about ten limes as much as with paid by any other county in the state during the sama period. White county has abolished tin bounty altogether and other neighboring counties pay a verv sin->D one, hence Jasper county, where the bounty whs §lO for old and §3 tui young scalps, appears to have been doing a land-oflicc business. The county treasurer was allowed §lO for some tax books which had been omitted from the estimate last full also $5 additional for postage. People having occasion to write any ot the county officers should take the precaution to enclose postage if they desiic a reply. The postage account of the officeis is limited and will not permit of their answering all communications unless postage is enclosed. The recorder was also allowed §36 for two record books which had been omitted in the regular estimate.

The council thought it would be bettet for the county to tmplov » regular attorney infctend of cttlhng upon Tom, Dick and Harry, as lint! been done, as shown from claims presented for appropriat oas to the qouncil, and such recommendation will be made to the commitsioners. The ordinance making the a;>piopriations was read Monday afternoon and unanimously adopted, after which the matter of selecting a member to fill the place in the Council made vacant by the death, of M. L. Spitler came up. Ballots were prepared and cast. exCounty Commissioner O. P. Taber of Remington, securing 3 votes and Frank W. Babcock, also of Carpenter, securing 2 votes. It is understood that Welsh, Washburn and Yeoman voted for Taber, Bellows and Eldredge for Babcock. Mr. Taber made one of the best commissioners for the people, that Jasper county ever had, and we believe he will make a valuable niember«J the County Council. Councilman Win. Cooper was not present at the meeting.