Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-02-15
yoR THE AMERICAN ORGAN.

FOR THE AMERICAN ORGAN.
Mr. EDIToR Having learned that member of
the Board of Aldermen made some remarks in the
Board, some two weeks since, relative to the In
correctness of the tax books for the year 1854,
and derogatory to those who performed the work,
I respectfully request a small space in your
columns for some remarks on that subject
That there are errors / admit. / believe there
are some, perhaps, existing for many years in that
department Of the Corporation; and that there
viii be errors 30 long as the present system con-
tinues And believe there are errors in the col
lector's office, and think l speak advisedly.
The reason for these errors Is land speak not
in disparagement of former clerks) the want of due
proofreader, the bank its officer to examine the
previous days work, as well as the trial balance of
the ook-keeper; the merchant his monthly bal
ance sheet for the correction of errors but no as
sistant to examine and perfect the tax books before
they 20 into the hands Of the collector. And If
errors be detected, they are corrected, If not,
why they remain.
In the preparation of the last set Of books, the
Corporation employed extra force to enable the
collector to post up his receipts and make out his
list Of delinquent taxpayers.
These books contain about 1885 pages, quarto
post one half of which contain all the accounts
of taxable property and the other half the extern
sion of the tax 10 cents the 800. These books
were commenced after they should have been fin
ished The clerk employed on them, previous to
July last had Just finished the book containing the
squares and lots, with their subdivisions together
with the owners names. When the present in
cumbent commenced the work, 1t was late in
August, and when the two assistants commenced,
Il was, think, about the middle Of September,
and the collector almost daily urging the clerks to
hurry the work, while numerous calls at the Office
for information, often retarded It. And this work
was not mere copying, as another member Of the
board asserted and that any schoolboy could
do III" but every transfer noted in the previous
years books must be referred to, and inserted in
its proper place In the new books. Besides the
collector informed the Mayor that there were but
few who could do IT, Perhapsin this he had some
pecuniary end In view, as he had two assistants.
Taking all these circumstances together, Is II not
possible for the most competent TO make errors :
uhft uot yct ncch tuc ihni tnat 10 Ttt
and presume Doctor Magruder has found out,
long ere this, though no one win accuse him Of
neglect that he has committed errors both in theory
practice.
Such is human nature, Mr.. Editor; men when
clothed with little brief authority accuse others
Of what they themselves are guilty.
But why should so much have been said about
It just at this time in the Board of Aldermen Did
not the collector know that errors had been COM
mitted by the predecessor Of the present incum-
bentf Has there never been errors committed In
the tar booksf Why make such ado about it now
Well, I'll be as charitable as can, perhaps they
are trying TO make political capital out Of 1t, Mr.
Editor. But incline to think their days are num-
bered, and that Sam" win tell them 30 next -
forbcar. 10. RADCLIFFE.