Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1859-07-21
Auditors RepOrt--Asain.


subject, in answer to our structures. Hi
doubts as 10 the authorship, amount t
nothing, "a he admits. The ex-Audito
furnished us tie figures on which We base,
our article. We requested him to do this
from the fact that his knowledge of tn
books would enable him to bring the Items
together with less trouble and greater &C
curacy, and hence his assis lance to tina
extent.
In our article we did not attempt 10 de
fend the ex-Auditor or any of the reports
which he published; but our object was to
examine the report for this year, and sec
if Il was correct. II the Republican failed
to exhibit the errors, if there were any, in
the reports published heretofore, it is no
argument that we should pursue the same
course now, and permit the people to re-
main in ignorance in regard to the true
state of our county finances.
We stated that the rail road stock had
been reported as so much receipts. and
that orders and intercs, were outstanding TO
that amoru', over and above what seemed
70 be The indebtedness of the county. The
Library order, which has caused such a
great sensation in the Republican camp,
was issued long before the sex Auditor"
came iato office; consequently, il it was
not reported, it was no fault of his. Mr..
Durham, ~ho was Auditor from 1914 to
1850, stated in his first exhibit, that the
books had been kept in such manner that
it was impossible 10 ascertain from them
the precise financial condition Of the coun
ty; but The debts and credits we're as near
as he could ascertain. as set forth i'll his
report. That report was taken as the ba-
sis OF all subsequent reports. If they are
incorrect, by reason of a wrong basis, the
fault is certainly not attributable to the ex-
Auditor. But this is irrelevant to the
questions at issue, and VIC leave it TO at
tend to matters directly in point.
The Republican says: "In regard TO
the $50 o8 for stationery purchased in
1852 and '53, allowed at the June term,
we think every candid man will justify the
AUDITORS course 1t Of right belongs to
the expenses Of the late dynasty, and they
should not attempt to shift the odium and
responsibility OF it by pleading irregulari-
ty." We were not aware. until we read
the above, that it WIS the duty of the Au-
di,or to make distinction. in an official
report, in reference to the politics of the
officer By whom the expense was incurred
Was party spirit ever carried so far before
in this county? or anywhere else? Is the
the annual exhibit of the Auditor design
ed for nothing more than an electioneering
document-gotten up to serve the cause
of the party having control of that Office?
We had supposed that the Auditors re-
ports were published for the purpose Of
informing the people in regard TO the b.
nancial condition of the county. and mot
for electioneering purposes" as our Con-
gresham would say. This admission OF
the Republican. taken in connection with
tie whole tenure and bearing of the report,
clearly demonstrates to any unbiased mind
that pariyism dictated it. The plain
truth of the matter is, that the law requires
the orders to be reported, which were is
sued between the LIST day of June and the
slst day of May, inclusive, and no others.
This order for stationery will be liable to
be reported next Juse, from the fact that
il Is Numbered and registered among the
orders which were issued SINCE the 3lst OF
May.
The editor Of the Republican does not
claim that the Auditor was right IN report
ing The Treasurer's collecting fees as SO
much expense, but says that 1.-The Audit
or. however, seems to think that his report
in that particular is correct, and thinks
he can satisfy all candid men that 1t Is
who viii take the trouble to investigate the
matter"
Now, we profess to be candid in regard
to the matter: have investigated it thor
oughly. and don't think it right in that
particular, or some others that we have
named. We should like to hear the Au-
ditor. CT the editor of the Republican, at
tempt to convince candid men that the
proper method of bookkeeping is to
charge for amounts paid out and not give
credit when received. or uiee rsrsa. i
this can be satisfactorily demonstrated, as
the "Audi,or seems to think" it can, il
will obviate necessity Of sending oal
young men away from home to gain
commercial education, AS We remarked
IN our former article. the Treasurer Was al
,ousd BIZ law. to retain his fees $751;.
+ of ronufv 4Ch0Oi