Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1871-12-09
The Frauds upon the Treasury.
REPORT OF THE JOINT COMMITTEE.

u
composed Of the committees on Ways,
Means and Claims of the two houses, to
whom was referred the report of the Terri
torial auditor and treasurer, after a labori-
Gus session, beg leave to submit report
necessarily brief on account Of the pres
sure of business incident to the closing
hours Of the Assembly:
The committee spent several days in ex.
aiming and comparing the accounts and
vouchers of the auditor and treasurer.
This labor was materially lcssencd by the
simple and extremely novel manner adop-
ted by these gentlemen in keeping their
accounts. For instance, whenever the
auditor paid the treasurer his salary, his
rent or other incidental expenses of his Of
fee, that officer would suggest that there
was no necessity for taking receipts for the
same, and the auditor, approaching this
labor-savng suggestion, would gracefully
consent. When the auditor likewise re.
ceived his salary postage stamps and eject
cras, the same unique system seems to have
been adopted. And thus the complex
rule Of double entry gave way. for the more
simple one Of no entry.
The auditor having charged $50 per
month for the rent Of Il small room in his
private dwelling used as an Office, the com
mittcc recommend that he he allowed SO
per month for the use Of the same.
After an examination Of the trcasurcr's
vouchers, the committee proceeded to the
office CT his deputy, to count the balance
On hand, as shown BY that officers report
to the Legislative Assembly. Here again
the labors Of the committee were greatly
expedited, for instead of having to count
the several thousand dollars which should
have been in the safe, we were politely
informed that the balance was q fictitious
one, and that there was not really dol
lar left with which the committee could
drink the health Of the treasurer upon his
retirement 10 the walks Of private life.
The auditors vouchers were generally in
due form, aud we were unable to discover
any instance where the Territory had paid
two bills for the service rendered, and
therefore believe that no person has been
pccunarly sacrificed by the Territory.
Upon examination Of the various cost
bills found in the auditors office, the COM
mlttcc were struck specchless with aamira-
ton at the eminent Gnanciering ability of
several Of tho shcrils, but particularly
that of sheriff Carson Of Pierce. This Of
icer, as the committee have heretofore re.
ported, was able to transport prisoner all
the way from S;clacoom 20 Vancouver and
bring two back again, for the insignificant
sum of $i,U3l. Among the numerous
items Of this bill, We find that it cost $40
to go from Portland to Vancouver on the
steamer CoScalcs. Now the regular fare
was just s3. aud the committee therefore
conclude that sheriff Carson, fully imbued
with the Importance and dignity of his Of
fetal position, chartered the whole steamer,
to the admiration Of the natives of Port.
land and particularly the Oregon Steam
Navigation Company. On the return trip,
we find charge Of $35 at l.iuklightcr's,
and as linklighter informs the commit
tee that he only received $6, it is presumed
that this gentleman, sympathizing with the
rigid economy of sheriff Carson. on settle
ment of the account, deducted $50 from
the bill We also find that the same Off
Ger has charged for the keeping of county
prisoners, returning them as Territorial
convlcts to the auditor. Your committee
further find that when convict Young es-
capped from the penitentiary, aud was alb
sent some three months, that sheriff Carson
not only charged s. per day for his board
but also brought in bill for clothing
furnished during the same timc The com.
mittcc here beg leave to remark that this
practice is in accordance with the regula-
tions of all other frst-class houses, no de.
ductions being made for either board or
lodging unless the guest notifies the land.
lord Of the time Of his departure.
The Assembly will pardon the digres.
sion and permit us to state that in our
opinion the gravel wastes and fir solitudes
of Pierce can never afford scope for the
brilliant financial ability and fertile resour
ccs of this officer. Let him seek the ma.
tons great metropolis, New York, and we
are sanguine that Boss Tweed will at once
hand over the belt to the clamdgger
sheriff"
The examination developed interesting
phases in the letting of the contract for
keeping the insane and repair of the asy
lum buildings. Contractor Harmon was
authorized to expend $500 in repairing
the buildings, and he SO closely followed
instructions that the account rendered
only amounts to a little more than $1,000.
The committee concludes that daily asso.
citation with the insane has rendered the
contractor stark mad, aud we await with
great anxiety the next report of resident
physician llcmmenway.
In conclusion, we recommend the pas
sage OF the accompanying resolution.
Il. l.. SMITH,
Chairman Council Committee.
j. w. BRAZEE,
Chairman House Committee.
WHEREAS, The examination of the
joint committee appointed to investigate
Tho ooccunts o{' tta rorr;tor;al o,l;to,. i