, 1872-05-30
County Affairs.

Of our county officials. The more We
e1amine those documents, the more diff
ficult we find this undertaking. The
report of the Auditor-the financial and
accounting officer-appears like studi-
cd attempt to 'disguise the actual condl-
ton of affairs, but too shallow in device
to deceive any who honestly seek lnfor-
nation on the subject. In reference to
to this report we asked leading busi-
ness man of our city -" If your Cashier
or Book-Keeper should make such q e.
port to you of your business transac-
tions, what would you do?" He prompt
~ replied should discharge him of
course" Any business lnan would do
the same in his own private affairs; then
why will they tolerate less correct
management of public affairs ?
Many of our principal taxpayers it
will be observed, have joined in writ
ten request to the Auditor for an explain
alton of some of the apparent incongru-
ities of his report. There are several
other points not alluded to in this re-
quest
In regard to the current expenses of
the County for the year We have no
means of knowing but that they are all
honest and correct. We see. however,
an appropriation to Larrabee Il White
FOR "S12 for public printing of which
we have some doubts. In consideration
OF the fact that this firm never had
any connection with.the public printing
and no such account was ever presented
.jy their authority or appropriation
drawn by them. it shows very loose, If
not dishonest way of apprcpriating pub
lie funds.
The sum total of all the county ex-
penditures for the year ending April 80,
1872, is Sc, 761. 10, of this sum -, S2S. 81
was appropriated for Roads and Bridg-
es. Why this sum was appropriated out
of county funds and included in regular
county expenses, when it IS LOT e'tima-
tod in the special fund for that purpose
is not explained. Excluding this amount
the actual county expenses reported are
SO, 1922 50. To offset this, the receipts
of county taxes S5,964.40, and from LII
eenses Sc, sol 00:making in all $12, 400
40. The difference then,it will be seen,
between the receipts and expenditures
for county purposes is $o,o42.oO IN ia
ror of the county. From this II the de-
dnctions reported are 50. 522. 72-prin-
cipally for interest on scrip and bonds
which would leave balance of S5,O2J =
OS in the county fund. Upon this show
ing the Auditor remarks Notwlth-
standing the large amount of scrip issu-
cd to pay the interest on the outstand-
ing bonds and accumulated interest on
outstanding scrip, the hibit for the
wear 1871 shows decrease in indebted
ness during the past year of 81, 1898.
To make this showing the amount ex-
pended for roads and bridges are eharg-
ed to the county fund and no credit is
given for the amount received from the
road fund.
The report says the Indebtedness up
to June 1st, 1871, was $16,S49.54, and
that on the 30th of April, 1872, the total
Indebtedness was $14, $4,000. At the
May meeting of the Board bills were al
lowed and scrip issued to the aggregate
amount of $4, 336.45. So that for the
year ending June l, 1872, the county in
aebtedness will have been increased g.
iiG.9I, Notwithstanding the fact that
S12, 565. 40 had been received in the
county treasury from taxes andlicenses.
The Assessment for 1871 was for ali
purposes $22, ,645.26. OF this amount
$11, ,251.58 is reported collected ana
Sf1, ,3S3.5S reported delinquent. The
delinquency being greater than the
amount collected. The Auditor explains
-" Let it be understood that while the
records of Office. show this amount to be
delinquent, probably all has been col
lected and worked out on the county
roads under the direction of the Road
Supervisors but many OF the Supervis-
ors having failed to make the proper re-
turns. no credit can be given the
improper showing.
This is forced conclusion, not sus-
tanned by law or warranted by facts. 1t
is by law made the duty of the Auditor
to furnish the Supervisor of each road
district with the amount of road tax as
sessed to each person holding property
or residing in said district and the du-
ty of the Supervisor to pay to the coun-
ty Treasurer all moneysreceived ON such
taxes for the use of the general road
fund Of the county. Any neglect or re
fusal. of Supervisor TO make due re-
turns of his receipts. together with II
list of delnquents, is made misde-
meanor punishable by fine, and it is
made the duty of the Commissioners to
enforce the law. The fact that by fan
the largest portion of this assessment
has never been returned, instead OF
showing the probability that it has been
faithfully collected and eypended .hows