Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1858-01-30

ords that Mr.. Marsh never
drew the $74l 81, allowed
him by the Board Of Super
visors on his last settlement
on the I4th day of Nov, 1856,
and farther that it appears
from the Officer 'sstatement thro
whomthe raid money sh'dhave
been drawn, that he disclaim-
ed any right to any such sum
from the county; alleged that
there were errors somewhere
in said settlement, and that
about said sum was due the
towns, and that said money
should be thus applied.
| have pursued this investigation far en-
ough to satisfy myself, that the the county
cannot in any event legititnstely recover Of
Mr.. Marsh, a greater sum than three hun
drea and ffty-four dollars; that on the
other hand he cannot recover of the coun.
ty, more than about fifty dollars; far en-
ough also, to satisfy myself that Mr.. Marsh
left said Office in confusion, ma naged it
without proper order or system; apparent
ly drittei through without log book Or
compass, pilot or chart; hal in the per
Torrance of many Of the duties appertain-
ing to said office, he committed many
gross and serious blunders.
He erred in keeping no dates.
He erred in not charging himself with
the delinquent lists received bv him, over
and above the county tax.
He erred in not crediting himself with
money, paid by himself on certificates is
ued 10 the towns for such delinquent lists.
He erred in not charging himseif with
the surplus OF state tax, actually collec-
ted ovet ahd Shove that ordered, in the
sum of SSS 80
He errta in not charging himself with
interest which we have estimated at SIT CT
He erred in footing the columns
Of tax Sales to the CO., making the amt ss3 IS
ssJo 81
He erred liz not crediting himself with
all the delinquent taxes on pe,soual
property not collected in the sum Of sleo 40
He erred in not crediting himself with
erroneous and double asscasniehts inciu-
ided in delinquent lists to the amount Of $1O7 so
He erred in not crediting himself with
all the fees to which he Was e~qui:ably &
- 1852 ia
$50 so
Mr, Marsh having thus failed to dis
charge in a satisfactory manner, many of
the duties devolving upon him as COUNTY
Treasurer, it requires no long demonstra-
ton to show that justice to himself and
~iustice to the taxpayers of the county, de-
mands an immediate and complete settle
ment. If the county owes Mr. Marsh any
thing as he claims, let him have it. If on
The other hand he has squandered the
money Of the county, or if he has disbursed
it properly as he alleges, without taking
receipts therefor, so far as those debts will
have to be paid again, let him bear the
loss; let him reap the reward of his negl;-
gence.
That false sympathy that would shield
the public fttnctionary who has squandered
the moneys entrusted to his care because
it would fall heavily upon him,whereas up
on the thousands it would fall but lightly,
should be forever discarded; forever dis
carded in q county the management of
whose finances with but few exceptions has
met with general appreciation; especially
when We consider that the profigacy of
%otficia!s has brought us to the verge a
like of State and national bankruptcy.
1t is to be Hoped that the old policy of
exacting the last cent and of ply ing the
last cent, of requiring officials and agents
not only faithfully to perform every duty
devolving upon them; not only TO do no
wrong, but to avoid even the appearance
Of doing wrong viii not through political
or personal friendship, or false sympathy
lie departed from at this late day.
All of which facts and recommendations
are most respectfully submitted for your
consideration and action, hoping that due
allowance will be made fer the many de-
fects in this report; from the fact that at
every step Of this Investigation have found
myself exceedingly embarrassed, by reason
of a want Of knowledge of the law, and Of
the proper mode of discharging many ofthe
complieated duties of a Treasurer.
JOHN g. CLARK, of the
January 18th, 1858. Committee.
|Since wfltlng the aooVe, evidence has
reached here from Madison, that Mr.
Marsh paid the $lo2 90, fines and taxes
on suits referred to above, to the State
Treasurer on the 9Th day of February,
lIe56; that the same was entered OF the
lblotter, but through mistake was MOI trans
|ferred to the ledger.
+Also, by reference to the late report of
the Secretary of State, it will be seen that
Mr.. Marsh did actually make to the State
two returns Of delinquent taxes on state,
Ischool and University lands, and that the
estimate made by me is really below the
|fgures-so that the Indebtedness Of M.
Marsh cannot exceed the sum of $4,000.
January Odd, 1858. john G.CLARK.
fGfnrnnr off IT T.. Nh y-SE1.