Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1872-07-14

On1eerS- Facts ana
al Figures.
n To Hon J. r. Fltppln, Judge OF the CrInina
+ Court of shelby county, TENNESSEE
The Grand Jurors of the May term.
y fIS72. of Shelby county, having con.
cluded their labors, beg leave to submit
L 1.-THE following as the result Of their in
vestigations:
In visiting the county jail We find the
Y management satisfactory, and reflects
credit on the Jailer. The food is ample
LAND well cooked. Blankets and mat
: dresses are in bad condition. We recon.
= mend a new supply Of blankets and the
I mattresses to be repaired or new one:
4 supplied. We would also recommend
I a double iron gate at the interior en-.
trance of the Jail, in order to prevent
stampede Of prisoners in case such 9
: thing should be threatened. This i'm
provement can be made at n small cost,
say three OF four hundred dollars.
Our visit to the
POOR-HoUsE AND HOSPITAL,
which we find under one management
and under the supervision of Mr.. Hogan,
II discloses a very satisfactory state of af
: fairs. The grounds and the buildings
: are kept in the very best condition. The
food and clothing is good. The inmates
I all seem well contented. We did not
I hear a single complaint. Attached to
? this institution is asplendid garden, well
cultivated, and supplying an abundance
tOf fresh vegetables. We deem the sala-
, ~ of twelve hundred dollars per annum
! allowed Mr.. Hogan for his services, toe
small for the duties performed, and
would recommend an increase of salary
! OF at least three hundred dollars per an
! mum.
Our attention was next directed to the
condition of the books Of
! THE COUNTY OFFICIALS.
After examining the books ofthe County
Court Clerk (Mr. James Reilly, we
take pleasure In stating we have found
/ them correct and entirely satisfactory.
The books of Mr.. J. Harvey Mathes,
Tax-Collector on Privileges, We found
in equally satisfactory condition. The
same :applies to the books of Mr.. A.
Woodward, County Trustee.
We cannot omit the cheerful readiness
which the above named officials dis
played to facilitate our work, and which
assisted US very much in the prompt
and quick performance of duty.
In the examination of Mr.. I. c.
Bleekley's books,
FINANCIAL AGENT OFTHE COUNTY,
we have not thought it best to enter
into a very minute and detailed exami-
nation, owing, first, to the shortness of
time before the court adjourns, and
j E,,nwsn~ QD11 r~.I1 NIo4 49, -..1~ E,-.l
upon any other than q close and careful
scrutiny would be worse than all,
and tend rather 10 diseredit than 10
fasten upon him any errors that might
be discovered; secondly, we find he has,
In conformity to suggestions of the last
Grand jury, procured all the books re-
quiTed by law In order to keep his ac-
counts, and, In conjunction with the
County Attorney, employees competent
bOokkeeper TO have the old books trans
feTred to the new ones, all of which we
Z think was i~mperatively necessary.
We are thoroughly convinced, from a
( casual examination of the books, that
the way in which they have heretofore
been kept,
ERRORS OF A MOST SERIOUS CHARACTER
could have been committed with impu-
nifty. We do not say that errors have
been committed, but would suggest it
would be work well bestowed If our sue
cessors would examine the new books
thoroughly after they have been trans
ferred, and compare them with the old
ones. In the cOnditiOnin which we find
the old books, IL would take twomonths'
arduous labor to thoroughly examine
them. We are fully satisfied as to
Esquire Bleekley's total incapaeity for
anything like clerical duty. In justice
TO him, however, we would state that the I
duties, requirements and responsibilities
OF his Office are little known or
understood, either by the people or
the County Court. 1t is an office Of
the first magnitude IN the county, re-
quiring not only an intimate knowledge
and thorough acquaintance with all the
rules and principles of an active COM
mercial business; but requires a man of
o than ordinary executive ability. TO
carry OUT Its duties; and; we would
strongly urge upon
H COUNTY COURT,
as of the greatest importance to the best
interests Of the county, either to supply
the present incumbent with sufficient
and competent clerical force to keep his \
books and assist in the arduous duties off
his office, or grant sufficient allowance,
as compensation TO him, in order that he
may perform his work to the full extent,
as required by law.
We would also suggest that not only
the present incumbent, but his success
sors be required to give bond equal to
that given by the County Trustee. At
present he gives no bond, only as a
magistrate. As the financial agent of
the county, he has control of every dol
lar of its money; its revenue is turned
over to him; he has charge Of its assets,
disburses all the money, signs and is
sues all warrants and bonds. Scarcely
any banking institution in the State
handles any more money, or transaets
any more business. You can readily see
what a scope for ~rascality, or what loss
from incapaeity or neglect of duty
might result to the people. AS to the
general management of his Office, we
lind, as he himself suggests, She has
been running Il sorter loose, you know
The facts are, he has been guilty Of
GRoss NEGLECT OF HIS DUTIES.
and we cannot find that he has carried
the requirements OF his office as di-
reetedb BY law, In any one single solitary
He cannot plead Ignorance of the
law, for he Is said to be a very good
statutory lawyer; and If he is not 1t does
not alter the dereliction of his duty. He
in extenuatiOn that he has been
following the footsteps of his ~predeces-
sOrs In not carrying out the law, and in
instances that IL would require i'm
possibilities OF Others II he should at
t. adhere strictly to the require
ments OF his Office. But we believe if
be had attempted 1t he would have sue
ceeded, and saved this tax-ridden people
thousands Of dollars The law requires
COUNTY TAx-coILBcroRs \,
10 make monthly settlements and file
heir receipts with the Financial Agent.
II requires an annual settlement with
Iax-Co1ect0rs. It requires the different ]
clerks OF the courts In the county 10
make An annual settlement with the
agent. None of these laws have
Deen Obeyed OF had the slightest atten- {
ion from Esquire Bleckley. Weeannot
out think the inexcusable neglect of 4
.hese plain duties has resulted IN great
serious loss to the county, and de-
hands from Us the most severe con-
iemnation, and calls loudly for reform.
The most arduous labor performed was
the investigation of the books of Ma.
William Mclean, 1
TATE AND COUNTY TAx-ooLLEcToR. I
-FOUR Honor is aware Of the provoking i
nd unnecessary impediments placed
u oUr way toward a thorough consum-
nation of u task. But after great
abor and mueh delay, we are enabled 7
lay before you the annexed monthly
nd annual statement, which We submit
5 a part of this report, showing the con
lti0n Of his official affairs at The end Of G
ach month and year for the tax of 1869
nd 1870, and q part of 1871, collected to p
le fourth Of June, 1872. You will
the basis Of cur work q,
as been entirely upon moneys and
Mlnnlod nnd I'll -