The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1874-05-27

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Fresh Candies-Parker & Perrin.
TO the Public Fl II Ellison.
Poor House-W p Mcclellan.
Prescntment Grand Jury.
Hay at Auction.
The County Commissioners and ths
Court.
Editor Press and Banner!
! respectfully ask you to ALLOW me q
small space in your paper to put upon
record some matters and things connect
ed with the May Term of the Court fol
1t viii be remembered that the presi-
ding Judge, upon the Presentment OF
the Grand Jury, directed the Solicitor
to prepare all Order against the County
Commissioners requiring them to shew
cause why they should not be indicted
for embezzling public funds. No graver
charge could he preferred against an
officer. Here are the facts in the case {:
Commissioners Burton and Jefferson
had been induced to 60 to Columbia du-
ring the last session Of the Legislature,
to use their influence to secure the pas
sage of an Act to pay the past indebted
ness of the County. I can, swear that
one of them borrowed the money to pay
his expenses; and I believe the other
did the SAME. At the first meeting of
the Board after their return from Co.
lumbia, these Commissioners presented
claims against the County for theiractual
expenses. These claims were audited
and paid with the distinct understand
ing that the matter should be laid before
the Grand Jury at the next Term of the
Court The Commissioners claimed that
q service had been rendered outside of
their official duties. and that they had
as much right to demand pay for such
as any other citizens. But it was agreed
that If the Grand Jury thought other
wise, the amountreceived. by each should
be charged to his account as County Com
missioner. On Tuesday last, the Judge
himself examined the office. He called
for the Check Books first, and took them
up ifi order. AS soon as he reached the
matters above referred to, [ gave him
substantially the statements herein set
forth. My report to the Grand Jury OF
the number and amount of checks
drawn, had been prepared the week be-
fore, and had been exhibited and eX-
planned to individual members. These
two claims were included in their proper
place, and the attention of the Grand
Jury was called to those claims. AS soon
as the Grand Jury decided that these
Commissioners ought to be charged off,
cally with. the amount received, the
Treasurer was directed to do so. Now,
as they have been charged with this as
a part of their pay for official duty, the
County has saved the large sum of SIS |;
for they are undoubtedly entitled to the
mileage. Hence, for auditing claims to
the pitiful amount Of Sl5, and under the
circumstances herein narrated, am
charged with cmtcszli7lg public funds.
But above and beyond all of these con-
siderations, as pure question of law,
contend that the commissioners had
right to audit and check for these claims.
That they cannot audit and check for
their services rs County Commissioners
is true. Suppose were to sell the County
900 feet Of lumber, could not the County
Commissioners audit and check for that
claim? Numerous claims have been
paid different Commissioners for carry
ing lunatics to the asylum. Itmay have
been bad policy, poor economy, weak
tion, but it doesn't contain single
element of criminality.
There Is one other matter to which l
wish to call public attention. The Com
missioners, were authorized, by Act of
the Legislature, to levy tax, not eX-
ceeding three mills, for current County
expenses. BY authority of the Court,
and what seems to be the policy Of the
law, the Commissioners apportioned
this tax as follows:-
Construct. & Repair of Bridges, ! mill.
Jail Expenses. .............. ........ a"
COurC, observation-disclosures.
The Poor House,.;........:;...::;...," "
Auditor, Go. Com rs and Clerk, 4
Miscellaneous claims,
Itis agreed on all hands, that this di-
vision is about as equitable as could have
been made at the time. From the Re-
ports and Books of Commissioners and
the County Treasurer, it was shown that
the Fund allotted to Court expenses was
sisted upon having the Court Expenses
Room; but soon after, it WAS thought
best to get an Order of Court to set aside
the apportionment already made, and
direct the expenses Of the Court to be
paid out Of any funds on hand. This
Order the Judge most positively refused
to sign, and in the same manner dared
the County Commissioners and the
County Treasurer to fail to pay al
single order on Court expenses. OIL
course this was virtually giving the or
der, and the Commissioners aud Treas
nrer acted accordingly. Now, I hope
these officers will not be blamed for fail
ing to feed the Poor, and to meet other
pressing demands, fora large portion of
the balance of the year.
The Jan'y Term of Court cost. 81 ,S54.S5
The Extra Court in April, ,......... 1850
Thus making total of.>>.>.,., So, 2,603. Is
Now half mill OH SIS, 100000 would
be $3.50. Hence, all that we could
have had for the May Term of the Court
was S24G.S5, Contrary to custom, took
the trouble to draw Off a full, minute,
and plain statement of all matters con-
nected with the office. and presented it |
to the Grand Jury. With the aid of that
Report a man of very limited education
could have thoroughly investigated the
affairs of the office Had I been con-
scious of anything wrong in the conduct
of the Office, I would hardly have put
myself to so much trouble to furnish q |
clue for it's detection.
Again, the Judge announced from the
Bench that the paupers at the Poor
House cost the County between S4O0 and
$500 apiece per annum. Now, it can be
shown that the average number of in
mates for the past three years has been
between 81 and 80. It was fully eX-
planned to the Grand Jury how the
number happened to be so small at this
time; had died, had been bound out,
and 8 had temporarily left after the fire.