The Grand Haven news. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1858-18??, 1859-07-27

Year. Amount Year. Amount,
1850 $4,000 - 1854 80 $500
1851 .. 1000 - 1855 -----3,750
1859 - 5000 1856 -----7 1000
1853 - 4000---- 1857 5000
1883 5000
While our wealth is five times greater
in SO than in so we only raise double
the amount of money to pay our expen-
ses. The first settlement with the Co.
Treasurer, upon the record, is in the year
1852, being general settlement for the
three years previous, and was as correct
ms could then be made with the informa-
ton then at hand. But it formed start
ing point. The next upon the record is
in 1852. No settlement is recorded in
'53. The next upon the record is in "a.
In 1856 enough is recorded to show an at
tempt to settle, but it is beginning with
out any end, and leaves us a know moth
ing. By reference to the books of the
County Treasurer we find very unsatis-
factory balance at the end of each year,
up to January lst 1857. From the year
1850, up to January, 1857, the annual
balance is in favor of the county, ranging
from four to twelve hundred dollars, du-
ring which time we recollect the prompt
ness with which our county orders were
paid. They were preferred TO any shin
plaster or wildcat in existence.
On the first Of January, 1857, when
Mr.. FLETCHER took the office, there was
a balance of twelve dollars and forty-nine
cents in the treasury, and this is the last
we know or can find Of any satisfactory
information pertaining to our county e.
nances, from the record or Ireasurer's
books. The Dr. and Or. columns of the
ledger, for the years ending January LIST
$50 and 80, stand open to-day, and by
footing and taking The difference for each
year, ending January SO and January 80,
we find the balance in favor of the county
in each year as follows: January, 1858,
$1,000 So; January, 1859, $3.50 95;
which can not be supposed to come very
near the truth, Judging from the low
state of the treasury tho past year. We
are somewhat surprised that Mr.. FETCH
Err should have left the county books in
that shape, Independent of the authority
of tho board. The amount of county or
ders paid in 81, was $4,695 70; in '5s,
$9,l39 10; in so, to July goth, S5,l91-
90. AT the October session Of SO a
resolution was passed to pay the indebt-
edness Of the county to the towns in
county orders, "said orders to be paid
out of the taxes to be collectedrin 1853"
This amounted to $3,o9s, which put that
amount of county orders in circulation in
addition to those drawn for the regular
current expenses. But no additional cor
responding amount of money was raised
to pay them. Consequently every super
visor went home with his pocket full of
county orders to scatter through the coun-
ty, the majority of which were paid in for
taxes in lieu of money. In fact it
was the only way they could be
used. The bank had issued more notes
than they had specie to redeem. This,
with the extra session Of the board at
Eastmanville, in April, this year, accounts
for the large amount of orders presented
thus far this year.
The Treasurer's books were delivered
to the present incumbent January 22d,
1859. Whether there was any balance
for or against the county, or if any how
much, or of what it consisted, nobody can
tell. They show balance of $3.50 95
in his hands. Surprising one quarter of
chat to be cash, why is it that we can not
get the money on ten dollar orderl He
has every thing in his own hands and his
own way. No data is to be had to guide
a future board in any investigation, sho'ld
they DO so disposed. This is an insult to
the people, and gross injustice to the for
mer and present Treasurers-for if upon
investigation there should prove to be de-
ficiencies that could not DO explained in
nocent parties might suffer. How board
can be SO reckless of law, responsibility
and duty, is beyond our comprehension.
By their acts they arc law unto them
selves, and seem TO be perfectly ignorant
Of the laws of the State of Michigan.
An ordinary Eastwood man we should