Jasper County Democrat, Volume 3, Number 11, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 June 1900 — COMMUNICATED. [ARTICLE]

COMMUNICATED.

Abuse of The Appointive Power. Ed. Democrat: While working on the road the other day some of our hands got into a friendly dispute concerning the appointment of road and ditch viewers. One side contended that these officers, or appointees, are compelled to serve when appointed; that refusal to act would be contempt of court, just the same as it would be if one failed to appear when drawn as a juryman. The other side held that it was discretionary with the appointee whether be acted or not, or at Jeast there was a limit to the number of times he is compelled to [ serve within certain periods. Now,, if men are forced to act every time thej- are appointed road or ditch viewers, we think the law is unjust and should be repealed at the earliest opportuninity. If such is really the law our legislators surely never expected Commissioners to make it oppressive and unjustly burdensome to any of our people. The present board of Commissioners through this appointing power Again and again, repeatedly and repeatedly, has taken up the time of our best citizens, forced them from home and business into inclement weather and unpleasant places, and all seemingly through spite or downright ignorance. J. F. Warren, R. B. Harris and Uncle Felix French are term after term made the helpless victims of this oppressive appointing power. Especially is this true of J. F. Warren. ThisVentleman for the past five year/ has been almost constantly engaged in viewing roads and ditches, so much of his work leads him through the wet and slush, it is said, that often in early spring he for weeks is compelled to sleep with his rubber Ixiots on. The people up our way protest against the action of our Commissioners, in the oppressive manner in which they exercise their appointing jxiwer. Any information, Mr. Editor, you can give your readers on the above subject will be thankfully received. Inquirers.