Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-01-22


(sonuch that frequent complaints have been made al the
fixed low prices authorized be paid for the products Of
the country.
oon the whole your committee are Of opinion that The
ueneal management of hisasylum has been as free fron
Error as midh reasonably be expected The dre,ors o(
the asylum, serving they d. without compensation,
nevertheless have heavy responsibility thrown upon them
il might be some relief and prevent unchanabe suspicious
and heefe your committee recommend that the salaries
Of all The officers be regulated by aw
| In the investigation Of The manner OI cnnouc'ing the
fiscal affairs Of the institution, and alter an examination Oh
lis boks, and vouchers, your conll'ee came IL
conclusion recommend change ~ Inc Id" fela
tiny thereto.
Yuur committee is fully impressed with the difficulty "i
devlslng any system entirely satisfactory and cheap, Of dis
bursting large OF money, different times, To hume
rous individuals, and in small amounts, and does not pro-
pse materially change the system in present operation
but it cannot but entertain The belief that of the
pubc treasure however small should be expended by any
public agent unless entire and perfect evidence be pduc
cd and preserved of the nature of such disbursements The
propriety Of The expenditure the person or perss
whum IL is made and its aunnt and moreover, that the
adjudication of such facts should be conded to an auditing
officer entirely unconnecIed and having prvty nor any
interest in common whatever with the agent who dlshuses
Your committee does not design by any suggestion Of
change, mpugn the high character OF the octrs con-
Quoting the Western asy un. or to hint at the slightest
corruption in the discharge Of their duties heretofore. nor
does believe them capable of misconduct in futures but
inasmuc laws not designed 10 afford protection a.
pains the good-sinc there would be necessity for their
Existence only in nempaton Of evil and for the As1
pose OF guarding against corruption and dishonesty
as they are Intended to operate only upon such -
DISPOSED to violate them. and since it would begmp& l.
bile 10 know foretp The character OF such "ftlcersds
NAV hereafter be appointed 10 take charge oil the lnsiu
lion your committee, in view entirely OF the abstract Prn
cpe OF The Importance OF throwing all necessary GUARDS
aid
That all the accounts, with all the vouches upon which
thew are based for every disbursement OF every kind
whatever, all of which are now audited by officers OF
the institution itspf should be referred 10 the auditor
of public accounts for settlement
All purchases of small articles, such as poultry, but
pr &c are made by the steward Of the institutions who
makes noe thereof in memorandum book, but tails to
take a receipt from the veners for the sums Pao.
By an understanding with the treasury hp draws 'N
medIaely upon the officer, who thus pays the drafts OF
an agent unauthorized 10 draw.
Tine aggregate OF these small drafts amounts In the
course OF the " ar to some thousands OF dollars.
The steward makes his against The lnstI-
tuition al the close of each month"; with his afdav at
tached, for which account his memorandum book furnish
rs the basis whc is submitted TO the court Of directors
by whom adra is drawn uPOn the treasurer In favor Of Inc
steward which is audited by the superintendent, and IN
payment OF which he ithe sieward) receives his own
drafts originally drawn upon the treasurer.
The error here consists in The fact, that whilst the pay
ment of the Stewards drafts evidence Of the amounts
paid AMI the persons to whom payment is made, sill
there Is no evidence of tn. specific prices Of the articles
purchased and moreover, such PAYNE nj Is PERSONAL
matter between officers, all evidence OF that may
be withheld.
Your committee, in view OF this would recommend
that thu steward be required give bond with security
conditioned the honest and proper performance of mis-
trust IN such penalty may bs deemed sulhcienl ana
thai such sums as may BIZ necessary for thu purchase OF
supplies be placed his disposal by The board Ct direct
the beginning of zach month"; and mat hr be re-
CURED TO purchase under The requison Of the supenn-
irndrnt such supplies during be current month as may
be needn't requiring OF each vender an accurate and spe-
cc account. and taking such and his receipt In duPI'
cate And that he shall render the auditor OF public ac-
counts at the md of each quarte his account Win one
set of vouchers be audited by that Officer and preserve
in the Office Of thu isulon copy OF said account, with
the public vouchers
lh regard disbursements for other purposes, your
con- Gitre- would only recommend that the same evil
denc be required Of the officers dsburslng and that they
render their accounts 10 the same auditor
Your committee would also recommend the abolition
of lllr Office of treasurer.
They regard it as unnecessary and costly. The funds
of the nslu,lon are deposited in bank Ia the town Vi
SIaunton and the compensation OF
one per cent The finds, for simply drawing drafts up
that institution, and keeping an account OF such sums
are deposited and Withdrawn, that IN polnEof fact
the office il litilp than a slnrcnrp
All It's functions may be performed by The oahk saus
fact y and without charge. and the sale Keeping oil Tie
public funds he "a rfeciua as IL now Is.
(The rean ier Of The Report relating ~ The Deat ana
Dtnb and Blind Institution ciH b" published nsr '0eeH
1t is unqualified in its approval Of The lnstiIuf'on)