Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1870-03-04
THE WILMINGTON JOURNAL
FRIDAY, EaARCH 4, 1869.
CITY Finances.

city Finances.
We have the satisfaction OF publishing
sometbine definite from the committee ap-
rointed at q meeting of citizens TO inVes-
tipate the accounts OF the Treasurer ana
Collector, brought about By exposures OF
Tur Jo1rRyAI,. We desire in the behalf OF
our citizens to thank Messrs. VANBoKKE-
LEN and BUNTING, who have labored fa!th-
fully and diligently in this matter ana
have doubtless by these exposures saved
thousands of dollars to the city
And we have just one word to say to
that class of our people who not only gave
no countenance to these Investigations puI
found fault with the course of this paper
in regard to them. Always looking out
for the main chance; always timid, fearing
something worse might turn up, they sup
posed they might obtain substantial 1aVorS
by deprecating the exposures which we SET
on foot. Those men who were willing 10
curry favor with the prosperous Official
will be loudest III their denunclations OF
the convicted thief. We have no sympa-
thies in common with men who fear to do
right because they may come in clash with
those in power. We believe the exposures
we have made and the support we received
from good citizens has resulted IN the Sc
lection OF an honest man by the Republ1-
cans Of the city, and has saved tens OF
thousands of dollars to Wilmington.
II will be seen that the committee report
that while they have been unable to lnVes-
tigate all the pilferings from the City Urea
sury, they find that the Treasurer and Col
lector has not accounted for $3,o43 IL.
which is itemized in the report. We1nfer
from the report that if the sources of re-
ceipts, such as City Hall rent, pound tees,
&c., could be investigated, this amount
would be considerably increased.
This report exhibits another fact which
reflects more upon the Mayor and Board
of Aldermen than upon the Treasurer. 1t
was supposed that the Treasurer and Col
lector received salary Of fifteen hundred
dollars, when in fact he received salary
of three thousand four hundred and eighty
seven dollars. If he has not stolen any
more than the Committee reports he has
received and helped himself to the snug
little sum Of screen M0USan0 three AWndred
and f07ty-ttrce dollars during the last year.
We have 10 desire to make war upon
this insignificant official, and would not
have done 50 had it not become necessary
in order 10 protect the property
of our citizens. We were after higher
game We believe others have shared
in the spoi!s, and we are sorry, even
in his assured guilt, that detection has fall
len alone upon him. He must, however,
bear the consequences. IF he has ever
borne O good character he has lost it, lie
must neceesariIy retire from the office he
now holds a disgraced man. If the Mayor
and Board Of Aldermen fail to remove him,
which we will not for moment believe, !
the Grand Jury cannot refuse to act. MIR.
Durfee has committed crime and he must
become responsible TO the laws which he
has outraged.
One word TO the Board of Aldermen II
Mayor Martin is to be successful in the re-
forms which he has inaugurated, he must
have a competent Treasurer, and one above
suspicion. Whatever be his color Or poll
tics, he must be honest and capable. Our
financial condition is such that We cannot
afford to have our means squandered by
incompetent men, Or stolen by official
thieves. II this be continued, the credit
of Wilmington will become as worthless as
that of North Carolina, and from the same
cause.