The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-08-14
The city is quiet and healthy.

city.
The city is quiet and healthy.
Important Report from the Vigilance Conn
mittee.
OFFICIAL CORRUPTION.
From the Alta California, July 21l
The following report has been placed in our hands by
the Executive Committee and we lay before our read
very important document at the present time.
is the report of sub committee, who entrust
ed with the duties which they have faithfully accom-
pished:-
The magnitude OF the task assigned the variety and
extent Of the subject matter proposed for their nvesga
ton well the shortness OF time allowed them have
rendered impossible to make thorough an examina
10 n AZ could be desired,
Under these circumstances they have deemed il best
point out such palpable and fragrant abuses viola
tons OF law as have come under no,e, with de-
iecs in the laws themselves and to make few sugges
In the hrst place. they have examined the financial
system OF the country, which has been managed by
Board OF Supervisors, County Auditor, and County Treas
The act OF 2sth April 1851 creating Board of Super.
ysors for the county Of San Francisco authorizes the
Board 10 audit the accounts OF all officers having the
agemant, collection distribution OF any moneys be.
longing to the county and to examine settle and allow
cdent or design there Is no express restriction upon the
power of the Board to incur n1ebtedness although every
other country in the State Is strictly prohibited from
The natural consequence is that have lived Far be.
yord our annual income; extravaganza has been the
order OF the day The county is now burdened With
debt Of at least half million dollars, drawing legal
teres until pnd Warrants have deprecated loss than
consequence even though in many instances the law has
peen violated IN their hvor by issuing warrants for
the actual cash value OF his claim.
All this is chargeabe TO the Board of Supervisors who,
through carelessness reckessress or dishonest motives
bave sacrificed tax payers on the hand and creditors
of the county on the other in Short every but them
selves.
To enumerate the actual and constructive frauds com
mitted under such system, would be interminable
labor but an examination of the records will show that
for this enormous expenditure the county has received
Or nc arat nd nj Al
debt Is either fraudulent or illegal.
The county has been grossly and continually swim.
Coroner and Sheriff. charges for stationery travelling
expenses OF members OF the Board OF Supervisors;
for oouny roads, brds ana lob. aSa
authority of law, at the instance Of individual mem.
bers Of the Board; printing bills, expenses of cleo
have beer gratuitously and illegally alowed-have
been presented for double treble the amounts due
have been approved without examination, and paid
in many cases by issuing warrants for twice the amount
to enable the holder to realize cash value. II is be
bgroush ess npaaD saD % aS d paa or
exaggerated claims wholly rejected properly reduced.
committee was appointed for this purpose by the
Bocrd OF Supervisors, but the investigation sted
and no report made The following cited rs nlustra
,ions OF the system OF reckless expenditure above
lst The purchase of the hospital building and repairs
OF the same amoun ing 70 about $50 coo which dead
loss 70 the county as the building has never been used
and is utterly unit tor the purpose.
e d rea1 Inc e. ss y ss s e He small building in the
the lst day OF July 1855. and the delivery OF warrants
for that amount the 9th day OF July 1855 to super
visor Mussrove before the commencement Of the work
9Th. The appropriation OF $3.50, and delivery OF war
rants for said sum supervisor husgrove about the
date, for purchasing hose to wash the Plaza which
has never yet been fur shed Fortunately the Conso
aa.on b remedies some Of these abuses by prohbIting
ducng certain expenses and b. Introducing the contract
system.
.
Auditor has been in the habit OF issuing warrants without
authority OF the Board Of Supervisors apparent viola
hon ., M soe sw soovs m % su inc a
borizes the County Auditor te pay all claims against the
county which are not directed by Law TO be settled by
some other person or tribunal and also all Just demands
against the county. the amouss Of which is hxed by
law.
The Consolidation bin seems TO be sun more defective
in this respect by authorizing the Aedor TO allow and
ray demands agans. the county all o! which
should be presented 10 the Board Of Supervisors II only
The practice as 70 payment OF claims against the coun.
y has been foiows.-when bill was passed by the
OF the same and it, allowance signed by the
Clerk chuntersgned by the Chairman CT the Board and
presented TO the County Auditor who thereupon drew
warrant the County Treasurer and after registering
the same In book, gave 70 the.credtor.
The County Treasurer, II 10 funds paid the warrant
forthwith otherwise IL drew legal lntcrast till paid The
original bills remained In the hands Of the Clerk OF the
Board Of Supervisors Iaeriy they have been kept with
care. Formerly they open 10 the public and
have been, In many instances, lost absacted thus
destroying perhaps only evidence OF the fraud or H.
legality OF Claims This defect 20 be remeded by
the provions Of the Consolidation Bill.
Another great abuse has existed In the system OF ap
pointing clerks and deputies vita large salaries, nj the
expense OF the county, without any necessity for Their
services and contrary to law for the purpose Of reward
ing Political friends.
who received for his services In that capacity two hun
dred dollars per month has also acted Clerk Of
the Board Elualz,iion aud Tor tbs sery;ee,
sum OF two hundred dollars per month throughout
the year
The County Auditor whose duties "a such arc traIng
and who receives salary Of $1,000 per Ia al
lowed clerk At the expense Of the county, without au
The County Treasurer, whose receipts are large and
allowed By lls board Of Supervisors three deputies or
clerks at $3.50 each per month"; without authority Of law.
Casey and MulIsan occupied these positions Tor year
under Green, late County Treasurer, drawing
their pay without render ag any real services.
City Hall, IN building OF Palmer Cook and Co.. adion
ing their bank The law provides that he shall have an
ofhce In the Court House, with stationery and furniture
at the expense OF the county The county should not be
held liable Tor bic Office rem, a. AT present
The Consolidation bill prohibits the employ ymcni Of
clerks or deputies for these Office, except at their own
expense and cuts ca other incidental expenses which
have heretofore greatly Increased the expense OF
In addition to what has been above stated thef arc
two serious cparyes which 10 require further and
lst That warrfats drawn and paid 10 Grant ia,o
County Auditor, and Green late County Taeasurrr lor
above The amount allowed b. The B01ri OF supery ors
IN violation Of Law, n previously shown.
%. That thore s dscreQarey ~ az 900 be- ween the
books OF the County Auditor aud tho County Treasurer
This amount 4 under TODD 10 be due 60 the State nom the
County Treasurer aIi to BE calmel By tae state ira.
suTr though 4 u not known that legal proceedings have
been Instituted.
CorNTY RgCoRpEna OFTiCE.
This Is oi the most important and lucrative o1ccs
In the county and ought 70 be managed with the utmost
and system under the personal supertendcncc Of
the Recorder Llu SELF the least neglect may occasion
serious loss and injury 20 property holders.
Instead OF this the ONCE 10 have been conducted
mainly with the view OF reazpg az much money as
possible, aud Of rewardng political friends With clerk
ships.
The following facts have beea ascertaned and arc sub
mted.-
lst Tbai prior 10 the Is, Of October 1855 all the In
dexcs are defective in many respects.
Cd. That In many instances tkc records arc not cor
rect copies OF the ORIGINAL instruments.
Sd. That the clerks employed N the Office young
men OF no business capacity many Of whom could not
write lceIble hand.