The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1873-07-24

DlfIcE Co,IrnoLLEn rUBllC ACCOUNTS
arslIE. July Is 1878
~ school Isalliers. IrclsnfEr % Ccualy School
Ee-Ids and olheo Interested ll Iclclers VOUCHERS.
The Comptroller again calls the attention
Of ali parties interested IN the unpaid
vouchers OF the teachers 81 the public free
schools Of this State, 70 the following re-
qnirements Of tho law under which such
vouchers are now being audited in this
Office
l. The appropriation Of 500, 900 is APP
portioned to the benefit Of the several coun-
ties Of the State in proportion to their
scholastic population
g Vouchers can only be paid according
to seniority Of service.
3. All vouchers are to be forwarded at
once to this Office.
4. Treasures Of county school boards are
required under penalty, to forward imRe-
diately to this Office a verified statement Of
the amount of school funds received by
them. showing all payments made by them
to teachers, with the amounts, date Of pay
ment, the persons to whom paid, and for
what service.
Is will be seen that there is no provision
Of law by which either the dates or amounts
Of unpaid vouchers can be ascertained by
the Comptroller, save by the inspection Of
the vouchers themselves, and yet many of
them are now scattered over the State, while
parties who have complied with the law
are awaiting their pay.
1t viii also be seen that the statements Of
the treasurers of the county boards are the
legal checks against outstanding vouchers,
without which payment cannot be made,
and yet but very small proportion of these
statements have been received
It should be distinctly understood that
no delay of payments rests with this Office,
but is wholly due to the lack of the infOr-
nation upon which ii must act.
Attention is also called to the following
circulars heretofore issued.
Papers throughout the State are respect
fully requested to publish this letter as a
matter Of general interest.
w. C. PHnIPs,
Acting Comptroller.
CIRCULAR no. !.
OFFICE COMPTROLLER PUBLIC ACCOUNTS,
AUSTIN, TEXAS, June II, 1878.
To school teachers and other persons in
terested, holding teachers vouchers against
the State of Texas:
From and after this date vouchers and
claims will be received and audited by the
Comptroller under the following regula-
tons;
/. ANY voucher against which no in
formation of fraud or mistake shall appear
duly authenticated in accordance with law
and the rules and regulations heretofore
adopted by the Superintendent of Public
Instruction for the payment of teachers, Il
presented by the original owner, or by his
attorney duly appointed, viii be held to
prove itself.
2. Any voucher in the hands of an as
signee shall have appended thereto his affi
davit duly authenticated before an officer au
thorized to administer oaths, that he is tht
bona tide owner or holder of the same, an6
that he has received no payment on the same,
Except as stated, in case any payment hai
been made.)
3. Claims for services as school teacher
for the time contemplated by the act under
which this action is had, for which NJ
voucher or vouchers have been given, may
be proved by affidavit of the teacher, duly
authenticated before an otficeFauthoriZed t
administer oaths, stating the date, numbe
of days Taught, average number of children
taught in each month, and that the same i
due and unpaid, Excepting, as stated, il
case payments have been made,) accompa
MED by the affidavit of at least two respect
able patrons of the school, stating that tn
services were rendered ut the times state(
in the affidavit of the teacher; the office
before whom these affidavits are made Ger
tifying to thecredibility of the parties.
A.. All vouchers and claims so proven vii
be registered by counties, and warrants is
: sued thereon according to priority of ser
vice, so far as the appropriation will allow
s. No warrant can issue until the Who'll
amount, and date of services NOW unpaid
rendered in the county to which it belongs
has become so far known IN this Office as t.
I make payments safe under the law.
Persons interested will see by referenc
to the law that it is made the duty of al
s'county treasurefs aud school boards VIII
may have had ia their hands any schOc
funds, to Immediately forward to the SU
perintendent of Public Instruction, an
! also to the Comptroller of Public Accounts
: a statement of the amount of school fund
received by them, showing all payment
made by them to teachers, with the amount
! date of payment, the persons to whoI
paid, . etc Also that the appropriation
to be apportioned to the several countie:
and teachers to be paid according to priorit
I Of service. This renders any immediate il
sue of warrants impossible, but an earl
J registration of vouchers is very desirable.
A BLEpsOE, Comptroller.