Rensselaer Journal, Volume 11, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 6 February 1902 — COMMISSIONERS ARRESTED. [ARTICLE]

COMMISSIONERS ARRESTED.

On Complaint of the Demo crat Editor—Will Have a Speedy Hoarlng. On complaint of F. E. Babcock, oi the Democrat, A. Halleck, 8. A. Dowelland Frederick Waymire, commissioners of Jaapbr county, were arrested Monday chirged with making an unlawful djlowanoe at the December term of the commissioners’ court in 1900. This action of Hke prosecuting witness is not at ail endorsed by the leading Democrats of the bounty, who denounce his action as personal spite work. The commissioners gave bond in the sum of |IOO each for their appearance at the February term of court. The complaint, while defective, will be allowed to stand by the defendants, and the case will be tried on Its merits at this term of court. County Qlerk Major signed the bonds of two of the commissioners.

The basis of the complaint is as follows: Except where otherwise provided by statute the law prohibits the commissioner* from paying for a legal publication in more than one paper and provide* a fine of |6O for its violation. A notice of the Barkley township election was given to the Journal by the auditor, through a mistake the Republican editor was informed by one of the commissioner* that the notice had been given to him. The notice was published in both the Journal end the Republican and a bill for plfl was filed by each paper for the lattice. The Jour nal bill was filed on pbe 10th of November and allowed pn the second day of the December jtprm. The bIU of the Republican was filed on November 15th and allowed on the third day oi the December term The bill* appeared on different pages of the docket and coming before the board at different session* both bills wore unintentionally allowed. When the mistake wai discovered Mr. Marshall, of the Republican, refunded |lO he had received, to the county.- The action of the commissioner* was merely a technical violation of the law and when the case comes to triaL it will not take a Jury long to dispose of it.