Jasper County Democrat, Volume 8, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 July 1905 — A BAD MUDDLE IN NEWTON. [ARTICLE]

A BAD MUDDLE IN NEWTON.

Supreme Court Enjoins Building of a New Court House, Causing Many Complications.

One of the worst muddles that ever developed in Indiana has been brought about by the supreme court’s decision in the Newton county court house injunction matter last Friday, in granting a permanent injunction and holding that the appropriation made by the county council of $25,000 for the building of a new court house at Kentland was void, the issuing and selling of the bonds was void, and in fact, about all the proceedings in the matter are illegal. It will be remembered that one Benjamin F. Davis, of the north end of Newton county, backed by citizens opposed to the erection of a court house at Kentland, sought to enjoin the letting of contract or paying for such court house, on the grounds that the appropriation for same made by the county council was void, having been made at a special session of same instead of at a regular meeting, etc. Judge Hanley denied the injunction and Davis appealed. In the meantime the bonds had been sold, the contract let and about $13,000 has been paid the contractor, who has pushed the work along and has the building up to the second story, or about one-half completed. Now, by the issuing of a permanent injunction, Newton coun-

ty has a half-completed court house on her hands, the payment of money on same was illegal, but probably can not be recovered from the contractor, who, it is stated, has practically all the material on the ground for the building, and if compelled to throw up the work, will be a heavy loser himself; the issuance and sale of bonds was illegal, and the purchasers of same will no doubt lose the money paid for them, because they cannot legally be paid, etc. And, to add to the complications, there is not enough members of the county council over there, owing to deaths, removals and unqualified members, to constitute a quorum to fill the vacancies so that a re-appropriation could be made at the regular session in September next, it is said. Just what will be done in the matter is a question that is hard to determine, but some are of the opinion that the people of Kentland will raise the balance of the contract price by private subscription and authorize the contractor to go ahead and finish the building, but the opposition may even prevent this. It is certainly one of the worst mixed up affairs that ever occurred, and the outcome will be watched with interest by everybody.