The daily morning Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1883-1899, January 29, 1889, Image 2

The daily morning Astorian., January 29, 1889, Image 2

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Newspaper Page Text' tzn mt gaiUj gustcrfsiH. ASTORIA. OREGON TOESDAT .JANUARY 29. 18S). THE COUNTY FINANCES. l XjE33'a-s?3aL"sr jeuells' Of Transactions ot Former Years. A Most Elaborate Financial Showing. To the Editob of The Daily asd "Weekly Astebiax: Bra: The nndersiened bavins read seTeral arlicleB in jonr esteemed paper within At considerable length the county court recites some ancient history. It affords nothing that tho public "were heretofore unacquainted with. As to answering the interrogatories o The Astobiak, tho voluminous re port published this morning is tho same as no answer at all. It begs the question and dodges tho issue. Here is the point Regardless of what was done in 1886 or 1866, tho county court swore to a statement on the 16th of July, 1837, that on that day the debt of the county as near as could ba ascertained, was S32,527.57 without interest, and that there had at that dato been a reduction of the county debt 316,153.47 principal and 84,205.62 interest Since that wo hare hoard a great deal of an "eoonomy" that was alleged to exist But on tho 1st of this month, wo find that tho debt of tho county is 862,72a03, with S2,232in the treasury. What The Astoriax asks, and would still like to know is, how is it that after such an era of "economy" aa we have been enjoying, tho county debt could be S52.527.57 without in terest, July 16th 1887, and eighteen months after be inoreased to S60.000, with no offset in the way of assets? The Astobian has no personal feel ing in tho matter. Why should it? Gladly would it accord praise and regretfully has it cited facts and fig ures furnished by the court itself to prove that its claims to economy were imaginative. The figures published elsewhere, reprinted from the files of The Asto eian, look nice and read all right But after all this recital what more do we know? Without any desiro to be unfriendly or censorious, but in all kindness, The Astobiax suggests to the county court that good intentions, and desire are not the sole requisites in "economy." Don't mind juggling with the fig ures of 18S6 or 1876. Do what you can now, in the present, in the future, to keep down expenses, and as tax payers, as citizens identified with tho permanent interests of the county, the proprietors ot The Astoria, "irre spective of party affiliations," will ap plaud and endorse as results deserve. Yesterday's Oregonian, with in creased virulence, assails the pilotage system at the mouth of the river, and while almost wholly ignoring the abuses at Portland referred to in pre vious issues of this paper, it styles the pilots a "gang," a "ring of rob bers," and "pirates." If tho Orego nian finds it necessary to uso those term3 in referring to men who prevent the occurrence or recurrence of such disasters as those at Yaquina.it would be interesting to noto what names it would, in its wrath, call tho sharks and leeches at Portland, who in fresh water seclusion, fatten on the com merce at the expense of the producer. That portion of the editorial that in cludes figures appears slightly defect ive in the mixing or absence of in tended heading in the tabulation. Dultjth has had a tremendous boom during the last twelve months. Over S4,000,000 has been spent for im provements, and 780 new buildings have been erected at a cost of $2,802, 600. ThoVjitizens of Proctor Kuott's city are confident that this jcar is going to beat the last, and siy that there will bo at least 1,500 new build ings put up. the last few weeks relating to the finances of this county, wherein the tax just lv ied by the board of county commissioners is entitled "The Annal Faroe," ''Respect fully Submitted," and 'Wants to Know," and as you disclaim all personal or political interest or feeling in the premises, and recognizing as we do the fact, that it ia the privilege as well as the daty of any ono occupying the position as editor of a news paper at all times to comment upon as well as keep its patrons well informed of all the acta and domes of any and all persons acting in a publio capacity, and ai maid articles deal in generaliteis and are not specific and, in our opinion, impliedly and covertly intimate that the present board of county commissioner! have been dereliot and careless in the management of tho fiuancos of the county, we therefore accept vonr offer to rmblish our. or any communication, we may tank responsive to said articles, and beg leave to now make a few statements with the view of informing the taxpayers of thislconnty in tho premises and, if possible, satisfy you and your patrons. ' On the first Monday in July. 1SSG, the majority of this board assumed their du ties of their offices. At that time they have ascertained the debt ot Clatsop county was $59,767.03, prinoipal, drawing 8 per cent, interest per annum, with interest ac crued and accruing thereon, on more than one-half of said sum, for and from the years 1333-4-5. They also found thepresent jail building in existence, the court house, mentioned by you, in a auapiuaieu conuiuon, wnn two weataer Dcaten iron safes as appurtenances to said house, and probably tho same ones used by "Noah" in the ark when "real economy" was necessary, and in order. The records of the comity and of the courts stored at random, exposed and in Rreat danger of loss and dflstmntinn bv fire. There were no adequate accommodations therein for the vari ous courts, juries or officers of the county or state, in tho way of seats, desks, etc., OIC, fill OI Bum necessaries Ultviu iu uucanuio ucru Duuvu auu jquicuicu uj but present board. This state of affairs existed after a Tax levy was made Oct. 5th, 1833: Of 10 4-10 mills for county purposes 4 " lorstate " l " for insane asylum " 0 6-10 " for Indian war debt ' 0 1-10 " for state university " 4 " for stato sohool tax 20 mills total levy A'tax levy made Sapt. 11th, 1831: Of 10 4-10 mills for county purposo3 " 4 " for state ' " l " for insano asylum " 0 5-10 " for Indian war debt " 0 1-10 " for stato university " i " state school tux do do do do do do do do do do do etc Gil 13 Poor 3,912 39 Bridges, roads, etc. 3,089 31 Assessing, oopies, etc 1,715 50 Coroner's inquests G75 50 Insane patients... 183 10 Election 1,011 00 Allowance, Co. E., O.S.M C50 00 County sundries.. C80 65 Officers of County 4,231 36 Paid int. on war rants 1,983 47 Paid int. on bonds 1,600 00 20 mills total levy And a tax levy made Oct. 12th 183.r.: Of 14 3-10 mills for county purposes " 3 1-10 " for state " 0 5-10 " for Indian war debt 0 1-10 " for state university 4 " forstate school tax $36,065 49 The tax levy made by the present board for the year ending June 30th, 1837, was as follows, to wit: Tax levy made Oot. 12th, 1886: Of 10 mills for county expenses " 5 " for oounty indebtedness " 4 " for state school tax ' 1 19-20 " for state purposes " 0 2-20 " for state university j its power to circumvent or correct the acts of the assessor, or correct any faults I that may exist in the nasflssmant laws of the state, or curtail or limit-the expenses of the circuit court, jUBtioes courts or the fees and compensation allowed by law to Huonns, cierss, or any other omcer. lor duties and services psriormeo. iur mo i' and oounty. Dpon an examination of the law it will further appear that tho income or taxes of the county are collected almost one year after the expenses have been incurred for which the taxes are leviedV As to the inquiry as to why? the bills of the coonty created or warrants drawn on the treasurer by this board have not been paid first, and how does it happen that' there, are over $31,000 of said warrants outstanding and no fundi to pay." We will state tnat the treasurer of the oounty has always paid the warrants of the county in the order of their issuanoo and presentation irrespective of the levying of taxes made by the board to defray the expenses of the county for any Riven year. And as there was a debt of $69,767.63 principal with interest accrued and accruing thereon, aa before stated, existing prior to July lGth. 1883, the taxes levied by this board respectively have beon applied to the payment of tho same and the accrued interest theraon. And thn rnnrn Tftcant AYtumsrji nf ths conntv allowed to stand, al though contrary to the constitution of the state and the "spirit of the laws regulating sucn matters. This has been done by aaid officers, their accounts accepted and approved by the board with the full belief that the taxpayers of the county desired no distinction or tinrt mnrln in tlia 1.Vf nnrl thniv tha imrnavora wTf nil nf nnirl t7ATrantS. 10- -- av M WUU UUW ,.. ...... HWJI .UW .U Ag... I W .U, IH.U..H .... ... ' terest, and bonds paid withont preference and in regular order of presentation, in conclusion we claim that all of the foregoing figures are substantially correct, and that when the sheriff and treasurer make their settlement on the present tax levy for the year ending June 30, 1839, tho principal debt of the county will be reduced from $7,000 to $8,000 in addition to paying an amount of the old debt equal to the current expenses of the year ending June 30, 18S9. These results have beon and can only be accomplished by the cooperation of the taxpayers of the county, irrespective of party affiliations. We farther claim that wo have been as economical, aa careful and as diligent in attqnding to tho affaira o. the county as we have been in the management of our own affairs, ond that wo have done the best we were capable of doing under very many vexatious circum stances; and shall continue so to do to the end of our respective terms of office. The records of all our transactions, the vouchers for warrants drawn ore on file, systematically kept and readily found and are publio property and open for in spection. We do not claim that we have mado no mistakes or that our doings cou.u not bo improved upon. We have been and will continue to be thankful for any friendly advice or counsel any one may seo fit to give at any time, irrespective of politics or personal leeling imu may do neia against ourselves, collectively or oinerwise, in any maneia - tainina to Ihft valfnrA nf thn rrnintv. In future if any explanations are wanted wo will forego the pleasure of blowing for ourselves by appearing in print and will be compelled to answer all communica tions by referring the parties to the records. Thanking you, Mr. Editor, for your courtesy nowr as well as in the past, we now close. Yours respectfully, C H. Paod. J. G. NUMBKEO, F. W. Surra, Board of County Commissioners for Clatsop county, Oregon. January awn, l&sy. HE NEW YORK MW XY STfiRF a a cJi - ra a tf a ottla jjy a B I h,E a a to? a wut Flael's ETeK? 3ric& Building, Opposite Occident Hotel, - ASTORIA, OREGON. " ' ' ' ' NEW TO-DAY. Wanted. c HE vr.SECOXD-nANDED LINES FOI a net. Leave oru at tnis omce. 22 mills total levy Without comment unfavorable or oth erwise un the part of any of tho expo nents of the taxpayers of tho connty-so A levy was maoe iaep. . ioo , lor faraswenowreooilect. We also found the year ending June 30th, 1838, as fol- tV,i ttrn fnrrant ATnATlRpq nf the COUntV lOWS. 31 1-20 mills total levy A levy was made Sept. 24th, 1887, for for the year from July conrt.lSSj, to July court, 1886, inclusive as follews: Expenses of Circuit courts.... $ 8,683 61 do Justice courts 3,327 11 do On aco't of strike. 420 23 do Board of prisoners and jailer 3,217 11 do Bep'rs jail, streets, Of 8 3-10 mills for county expenses 3 " ..for county indebtedness 5 " for stato school tax 4 9-10 " for state pnrposes 0 2-10 " for state university 0 1-10 " for stato militia 21 5-10 mills total levy And the actual expenses for said yeara as paid by warrants on the treasurer and the debt of tne county, as iouews: 1886-7 Expenses of the Circuit Court $2,625 61 " ' Justice Court 1,55 83 " Sheriff 's office, prisonors board, eto 1,634 11 " " Coroner's office 298 80 " " Assessor's office 1,037 55 " " Insano and paupers 1,487 76 " " Clerk's office 278 90 " " Collecting tax, etc., including officers' fees and salaries 3,527 70 Incidental expenses, including allowance to Co. H, O. N. Q., and elections 972 62 Expenses of roads and bridges 1,117 50 " of publio property, repairs and Improvements 2,269 90 " of refunding tax for 18S6 to James Taylor 376 26 Interest on outstanding bonds 1,600 00 ' " County warrants paid 4,299 78 Total expenses $23,102 37 DEBT EOXDED ASD PI.OATISO. June30, 1834 1835 ' 1836 " 1887 1833 .$59,410 32 Loss cash on hand available for redemption of county warrants G.790 25 DEBT TOE THE TEEMS OF TOE COUNTY COUBT. Debt onJune30, 1880 $44,932 35 Bonds outstanding 20,000 00 Warrants issued bv the" County Court for debts contracted prior to June 30, '86 4,835 23 18S7-8 8 4,906 22 1,476 75 1,018 89 261 50 1,592 30 1,437 00 361 60 4,555 72 2,494 1G 3,020 27 142 03 1,600 00 2,404 95 U.S. Government Auction Sale. Tuesday, Jan. 29, 11 A. M. AtCapt. J. Q. Hustler's Wharf. Instructed by dipt. U. Sebiee, I will hell at Public auction, to the highest bidders for cash in hand on day of sale, the follow lnR described public inoper'y no longer re quired for Light House purposes ; Lot 1, Yellow mMal n ills, &.C. (about 6.7.'S lbs.) Lot 2, Hope, (about 12.1X0 lbs ) Lot 3, Sails. &c.(about 1,570 11m.) Lot 4, Cut Iron, (about 2 4-Itl lb.) Lot 5. Wrought I on, (about 3.300 lbs.) Lot 0. Pipe. &c, (about 2,300 lbs.) Lot 7. Bras and Copper (about 650 lbs. Lot 8, Life Preservers, icork). (about 130) Lot 9, Empty 5-trau mineral oil cans, (about fiOO . Lot 10, Empty 1 ird oil K bbls. (about 120). Lot 11, Lard oil. (about 50 palls) Lot 12, Cirrulailni: pump. Lot 13, Steam boiler. Lot 14, Whale boat. Lot 15. How boat. E. C. H0LDEX, Auctioneer. N. B. The property is now landed at Capt. Hustler's Warehouse and can be examlued by intending bidders. $25,270 89 $37,542 16 51,623 19 64,932 45 53,560 09 52,626 07 Actual debt July 16, '66 $69,767 63 Debt on June 30, 1883 Bonds outstanding Warrants issued for debts oontracted prior to June 30, '88.. Loss cash on hand availablo for redemption of coun ty warrants $39,416 32 20,000 00 2,519 45 $61,933 77 6,790 25 Actual debt July 14, 1888. Debt July 16, 18S0. " " 14, 18S8. $55,145 52 $69,767 63 55,144 52 DuBixa the year 1883, tho revenues collected by the United States gov ernment averaged more than S1,000, 009 a day, including Sundays and holidays, or about $375,000,000 for the twelve months. This aggregate is less by 88,000,000 than for the pre ceding year. Merit Wins. "We desire to say to our citizens, that we have been selling Dr. King's New Discovery for Consumption, Dr. King's New Life Pills, Bucklen's Arnica Salve and Electric Bitters, and have never handled remedies that sell as well, or that have given such universal satisfac tion. We do not hesitate to guarantee them every time, and we stand ready to refund the purchase price, If satisfac tory results do not follow their use. These remedies have won their great popularity purely on their merits. J. W. Conn, Druggist. ' Meals Cooked to Order. Private rooms for ladies and families: at Central Kestaurant, next to Foard & Stokes'. ADTIOBTO MOTHERS. Mks. Winslow's Soothixo Srnup should always be used for children teething. It toothes the child, soi tens tha gums, allays all pain, cures wind chollc and Is the best remedy for diar-rhcsa-Twenty-five cents a bottle. Tclcphoneliodjclnc House. Best Beds in town. Rooms per night iO and 25 cts per week S1.50. New and clean. Private entrance. Go to Jeff's for Oysters. Decrease $1 622 11 Tho foregoing result is after a tax levy by the present board, a3 heretofore shown, for the years 1836 and 1887, for county purposes, 10 and 8 3-10 mills respectively. The remainder of said tax being in no wise under the control of said board as to ex penditure, or as to tho amount of lovy in mills, the same being fixed by the legisla ture, and the state board, and was remitted to the state treasurer, and expended in maintaining schools in the various schools distriots of the county. The foregoing statements show a reduotion of the oounty debt by tho present hoard of oonntv commissioners .Tnlv 14tli. 1838. of S14.G22.il. and the payment of acorued interest of $9,904.73 for which there ia nothing to show except the satisfao- uua iuai mo uuuuij ia ruuuuiiy p;iyiuj lis uoilaiiuuu, uumtuuvcu iuj.u.uu..j nprharjs. bnt nevertheless in pood faith. Thev nlso show that the county's annual expenses have been very materially less than the year immediately preceding the assumption of offioe by the present board, and accomplished by the co-operation of the cirouit judge, county clerk and other officers in the county and state. The last report of the county clerk dated Dec. 31st, 1838, and published by Thb Abtobias (not improperly) before being examined by the board, when properly segregated is as follows, to wit: And as published: EXPENSES F80SI JUNE 30, '88 TO DSO. 31, '83. Clerk's office $ 255 10 Sheriff ' office 396 43 Circuit court 1,924 80 County court, fees, salaries .... 2,537 79 Publio property 264 73 Elections and incidentals 1,542 30 Insane and nanners 457 81 Coroner's office 148 00 Assessor's office L216 25 Roads and bridges 1,370 44 Justice's courts 947 15 Interest on bonds 600 00 Expense of Circuit court $ 1,924 80 " Justices " 947 15 " " Roads and bridges 1,370 44 " " Assessor's office... 1,216 25 " " Coroner's office.... 148 00 " " Insane and paup'rs 457 81 " " Elections (2) 1,33115 " " Board and care of prisoners 515 40 " " Salaries of officers. 850 00 " " Repairs to property 177 48 " " Teachers' examin ations 62 70 " " Interest on bonds . 800 00 " " Clerk's office 166 50 " "Printing 105 75 " " Incidentals, wood, water, eto 404 20 " " County court 306 55 " " Rebate on license. 25 00 " " Delinquent tax roll 94 00 " Officers' fees 937 67 Tetal: $11.860 85 Total $11,860 85 Interest paid by treasurer on warrants 1,130 64 Tot al pYriArts&a for laRt 6 months of 'S3 $13,291 49 It will be seen therefrom that there is counted as an expense of running the oonn tv in item of $2,230.64. beincr interest mid on the debt of tha county, which stands in the same light as the other interest mentioned herein: that is, there is nothing to show for the same. It will also be ascertained, if you or any one will take the trouble to examine the vouchers and accounts of the county, that the expenses of the county for the year ending June 33th, 1839, is more than half incurred and paid by warrants on the treasurer, and counted in the report last named, and that the expenses for said year have been unusually heavy, owing to elections, eto., in no wise chargeable to the board on account of management or otherwise, and for which the last tax levy is as lonews: r or tne year ending J une isutn, ik: 9 i.-inrmlla otntn tnT S 9.122 82 Was nnil is made to eovar and fully Pay. 0 1-10 " " university.. 246 56 And if the sheriff is as successful as his 0 2-10 " ' militia 493 12 predecessors in office have been, in collect- 6 " school tax... r... 12,323 13 mg said tax, we are satisfied said ex- 2 5-10 " to pay Co. debt.. 6,164 06 penses will bo fully paid, or which is 10 5-10 " to pay County ex- equivalent, warrants drawn on the treas- penses 2j,&aa xu urer antedating tnose arawn ror saia ex. penses in an amount equal thereto. Total tax 22 mills $54,243 79 The board of county oommicsioners art in no manner responsible for, or i3 it in CO TO Thompson & Eoss And get some ol those No. One California Canned Fruits AND VEGETABLES. , We Are Selling Cheap John C. .Dement, DRUCCIST. Successor to V. E. Dement & Co Carries Complete Mocks of Drugs and Druggists' Sundries Prescriptions Mexican Carefully ComponjiiIeJ. Agent fur Salve and Norwegian Pile Cure, -THE- DIAMOND PALACE! GUSTAV HANSEN, I'rop'r. A Large and Well Selected Stock of Fine Diamois i Jewelry At .Extremely Low I'rices. All Goods Bought at Thl Establishment Warranted Genuine. W'iUoh ami Clock Rci)lilrl A SPECIALTY. Corner Ca and Squemoqua Streets. For Rent. I BURNISHED ROOM. INQUIRE AT THE : Bazar, one door south of The astori ax omce. I . . , ,, , I..'..t' Lj jWatcrirriaker Jeweler. A Return Tubular Boiler for Sale. -t n FEET LONG. BJ INCIIES IN DIAME JLJ ter, with stack, breechlnc, furnace fort, fittings, complete. Inquire of ARNDT & FEROHEN. ise. -AND- vrHOIiESAIiE AND KETAUj. f e Carry tie Largest Stock oh the Colnina Elver. PIANOS and ORGAN Musical Goods of All Kinds. WHOLESAIiE AND RETAIL DEALER IN S S- Groceries, Provisions and Mill Feed, Crockery, Glass Plated Ware. o . The Largest and finest assortment of 2Txash Fruits and Vgta"bl3. BttfiYt fral eww Stuswr. Next Boor to Postofiice. e Lowest i w E I lift hi 8 1 STa 1 8 n 8 b ' U 3LI ISW BllBB&JiB o f BUY YO01I . I OELO F. PACKER. CARL A. UJLXaOV arker & Hanson SUCCESSORS TO Groceries ,P revisions .c. l parker. DEALERS IN GENERAL MERCHANDISE S -OF- I Foard & Stekes: Tlielr IWEely Increasing trade enab'es thenijo.sellat the vt-ry lowest m.imla of profit whiieglviiiK jou tonus - that are of first class quality. Goods Delivered All Over the City. Ttte Highest Price Palu for Junk. New Goods Arriving Every Steamer THIS WEEK, . MS PillllM Tho Old Stand - Astoria Oregon. BARBOUR'S II loll liil I 111 ualld HAVE NO EQUAL ! GRAND PRIX PARIS 1873, AND GRAND CROSS OF THE LEGION D'HONNETJB. Tbey reooived the ONLY GOLD MEDAL For FLAX THREADS at tha London Fisheries Exhibition 1883. And have been awarded HIGHER PRIZES at the various 1R8TERNAT1CWAL EXPOSITIONS, Than the goods of any other IN THE WORLD. Quality Can Always be Depended on. Experienced ileillse ho Otter. HEftfRY DOYLE & CO., 5.1 7 and 61 9 Market Street, SAN FRANCISCO. AGENTS FOR PACIFIC COAST. WOODBERBY SEINE TWINE. ROPE and NET TING Constantly on Hand. SEINES, POUNDS and TRAPS furnished to order at Lowest Factory Prices.