Jasper County Democrat, Volume 3, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 December 1900 — Commissioners Court. [ARTICLE]

Commissioners Court.

Commissioners’ court adjourned Wednesday evening after a three days session A saloon license was granted Charles Gundy of Fair Oaks, hut a heavy remonstrance was filed against YnnArsdal, the Gifford applicant, and he made no effoi t to get the license granted Th ■ lute election expenses hills were the most voluminous and took up the greater part of the session. Iho county council in making the appropriation for election expenses at their meeting in 18'.)'.) based the cost of the same on the cost in 1898, and cut the appropriation from the $1,8(X) asked for to $1,240. In this, unlike other appropriations made, it was specified how much was nppro| muted fur each specific purpose, printing, meals, room rent, inspector*, t lerks, etc. Of this appropriation t nly about SBSO could be used, there, being little or no exp use ei •at d in the items for which about S4OO was appropriated. li was the intention of council in making this appropriation specific to pay for but two days services on the election boards, except inspectors who were allowed four days, and to cut off the big board bills hereto-

fore charged. It allowed all meals considered necessary at 25 cents per meal. It had been the custom, in Marion tp., especially, to take breakfast, even, at county expense, lunch after supper, and, possibly, carry home enough provisions for a few days rations for the rest of the family. Two years ago the cost alone of meals for the four precincts of Alarion tp., wass39.2o, almost $1.50 for each member of the boards. The work this year of the boards was of course much greater than two years ago, and while some of the boards counted out by 11 p. m., others, less competent because composed of men unused to the work, were all night ant| a good part of the next day. Nearly all the boards brought in bills for three days services, and the inspectors, of course, for more. The commissioners cut all bills to the appropriations made, and divided the meals’ appropiiation by the meals charged, making about 17 cents per meal. For the printing of the ballots, based on the cost two years ago, when the county ticket was one-half smaller, the township ticket practically of no consequence at all and no constitutional amendment ballots, $75 was appropriated, which was about one-half what the work was worth. This bill was allowed at the specific appropriation made, the same as all others. There is no doubt but the allowances made in some instances are not enough, and probably the county council will authorize the transfer of the SIOO unused to cover the greater part of the reductions made by the commissioners. This amount, we understand, will be about sufficient to cover the same, and will bring the total election expense up to about $1,240 instead of SBSO, as it now stniuls.

The creation of the county council has been the moans of saving thousands of dollars to the taxpayers of Jasper county and while there seems to be a disposition among the politicians and spoilsmen to cuss it for the elections’ appropriation, we believe the large majority of people who do not belong to this class will be reason a ble in thei r criticism. I f the council erred it was in basing the expense of this electibn on that of two years ago. The work this year was the greatest since 1894, and somo of it no council could anticipate. No man wants another to perform a public service required by law for nothing, but want all reasonably compensated. It was the abuses heretofore which placed the restrictions around the ajipropriation for this election. For artistic job printing at reasonable prices, call on The Democrat. If you would have an appeite like a bear and a relish for your meals take Chamberlain’s Stomach and Liver Tablets. They correct disorders of the stomach and regulate the liver and ; towels. Price, 25 cents. Samples free, at J. A. Larsh’s drug store.