The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1874-04-14
COUNTY BOOKKEEPING.
What is Needed in Rock Island County.

1t will probably surprise a good many
people who have some well-de6ned notions
of the value of correct book keeping to
know that there is not and never has been
in the county clerks Office in this county a
set of books by which accounts are kept
under the various heads of public expendi-
lures. During the last twenty years we
have frequently called attention to this fact,
but those whose business it was to estab
fish such system neglected to doit. What
the motives were which prevented such
action we will not now assert. 1t may have
been that such set of books would be
check on public robbery. 1t may have
been because party Encouragement would
thus more readily be exposed. 1t may
have been for want ofthe necessary knowl-
edge and skill to keep them properly. 1t
may have been for other reasons. But one
thing is certain; No business man would
attempt for a moment to carry on his pri-
vate business in such a loose, slip-shod
manner as the peoples business has al
ways been conducted in the county clerk S
Office. No business man could carry on
his business at all, and succeed, without
some correct and intelligent system of book
keeping.
1t is the business of the Board of Super
visors to inaugurate and establish SUCH a
system-and it cannot be done too quickly.
The new Board is composed, mostly, of in
telligent men, and their duty to the people
demands that they order and establish an
intelligent system of book keeping in that
office. 1t is through that office that all the
money goes, and there is where accurate
and intelligent accounts are absolutely nee
essary. We are glad that Mr., Henry Dart
is a supervisor for this if for no other rea-
son. He is an intelligent and successful
business man, and knows what is needed.
Many years ago, when Cornelius Lynde
was an alderman, he introduced a system
of book keeping for this city which has
been carefully followed ever since-and by
which, at any moment, any citizen can
learn the amounts received and expended
in all the various departments of city al
fairs. \ summary of these accounts is
published, for the information of the peo-
pie, every year.
Some such system should be ordered
and adopted by the supervisors at the
earliest practicable day, and summary,
from the books, published every year, not
only for the information of the people but
as 4 check upon extravaganza and fraud.
The other day we called on County
| Clerk Cook for the purpose of procuring
a comparative statement of the cost of sup
porting the county poor for 1878 and 1872,
but there are no books in the Office from
which it can be procured, except by the
long and laborious process of looking
through two years of the proceedings OF
the Board of Supervisors.
There should be system of book keep
ing by which accounts are kept of the pub
lie debt, accounts with the Poor Farm with
the poor of each township separately
with each Of the county offices and under
every head doing business with the county
We should be able to turn to these
accounts at any time and learn
from them how our county mat.
tiers stand. The number and names
Of persons receiving county aid, outside the
aims house, should be kept,-also the same
at the aims house. Every item of county
business should be entered in these books,
as in the city books
We trust that the new Board Of Super
visors will take the necessary steps to have
the system of book keeping in some of the
large counties Cook for instance) exam.
ined also our system of city book keep
ing, and establish a clear and intelligent
system which will be a check on fraud oil
extravaganza, and enable any one to learn
how county affairs stand, at any time