The voice of freedom. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1839-1848, 1846-05-14

thorough accountability by every officer
SC. The resolutions were introduced s
the blank having been filled with, 9Th
Auditor OF Accounts" passed both houses
At the next session OF the Legislature
prepared bill was reported to the Legisla'
ture, which in substance, was passed int
the law, denominated ian act relating tc
public accounts" passed Nov. 18th 1912
That law provided that copies Of the item'
of accounts allowed by the Judges, as the
incidental expenses Of courts, should b.
furnished to the Auditor. This provis
ion brought to light the working of thu
old system of accounting, and enabled III
10 exhibit, from under the hands Of Coun'
ty Clerks, abuses, which were but par
TALLY known before. AT the next session
of the s. Court for Windsor County, APP
plication was made to that Court, 10 have
a system of rules promulgated by the
Court, which would reduce all allowan-
ces TO the standard of law and res,ore uni
formity.
Nothing was done, but encouragement
was given, that at another day, the subject
might be considered. Another applica-
ton was made in July with the same re,
suit. A Clerk Of Court prepared a bill,
at the session of the Legislature for 1874,
which resulted in a law, making it The du
ty of the Auditor to ~"examine, audit, and
adjust the accounts of the several County
| Clerks, for official services rendered, and
expenses incurred &C." 1t was also made
his duty $50 far as he found it practical
Die and just to allow to each Clerk the
same sums for like services" This act
was passed Oct. 30:h 1914, and without
the knowledge of the Auditor, nor did he
know of the existence Of the law, until its
publication in the newspapers, contain
ing the acts of the session of 1914. This
was after he had sworn TO execute the du>
ties OF Auditor according 10 law, and he
could not 60 back. This law had cast a
very responsible and unwelcome duty up
on that officer, which he was compelled
to discharge. If he complied with the re.
quirements of the law. he must reduce all
allowances to uniformity. He must level
up or down. II he raised the lowest char.
ges to the highest, he would 10 some ca
ses allow 600 per cent higher, than the
proportion Of fees established by law
If he reduced the charges Of a Clerk 600
per cent. below his accustomed allowance,
he must incur the displeasure Of the clerk.
The dilemma was a difficult one, and sure
10 be attended with embarrassment. Dlty
could not be mistaken. The law requir-
ed, that all charges should be in proper
ton to fees established by law, and this
law was taken as a thread to conduct us
out Of the labyrinth.
Rules were prepared and promulgated,
by which the Auditor would be guided in
settling their accounts, and also in pursu>
ance Of the directions Of the third Section
Of the act Of 1912 purpose of which
vas TO reduce all discrepant allowances 10
one standard Of uniformity. This was
only carrying cut the positive mandates
of the law. This was the path pointed
out by the Legislature to secute the pub
lie funds. We have seen, that the s!rln
gent operation of the law, produced a
combination of officers, whose ~pccuniary
Interests had been affected by the law, and
that they had controlled a power, which
has swept away every obstacle which in-
terposed between them, and the funds of
the people. The abuses disclosed in these
numbers could not have been known, but
from the act OF 1912. This will answer
the question proposed at the head of this
number. The want Of appropriate legis-
lation on this subject cannot therefore be
charged TO any political party.
A friend has kindly intimated to us,
that an influence, adverse 10 these num-
bers, has been put in circulation by the
Clerks or their frieuds, which would i'm
pugn the motives Of the writer. 1t has
been whispered about, that his motives
have their origin in a pecuniary consider
alton. 1t is said. that the office, he FORM
erly filled, was a lucrative one, and that
his purpose is to regain it. We have been
nann.aL.d ...;ih Ii. aGiaa ac A..Ii.a. &c