New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-07-11
RepOrt Of the Committee Of ExDcrfs

I 70 IcceitSU yesterday evening copy u
| the lengthy report made by Messrs. l.. II.
Gardner. John Phelps and =. J. Ccckburn
in their united capacity as committee ap.
pointed by the Governor to examine the
books and accounts of the Auditor of the
State, and espe cially to consider the charges
against the Auditor set forth in the report
of the joint committee of the last General
Assembly. The experts appear to have
prosecuted their work with some energy
and without fear Or favor. They recon-
mend better system of book keeping than
that which has prevailed in the Auditors
Office for very many years: the system now
in vogue being more one of record than an
accounting system, and one which does not
facilitate the examination Of the Auditor's
accounts. The committee is Of opinion
that a regular system Of bookkeeping
should be ;naugurated. even if the State
should pay double the amount now paid for
clerk hire. The charges Of outstanding
warrants, above the amount which ought to
be out. and of warrants illegally issued. is
made the subject of large portion of the
report. The funding board receives atten.
ton, as also does the compensation of as.
SCISSORS. the condition of the school fund,
the settlements with the tax collectors, and
matters pertaining to the Auditors reports
After considering many diversions of funds,
abuses and misuses of pubic money, as ap.
peared 20 the committee to have been the
case, the report closes with the recommenda.
tion Of the following line of action to be
taken in the effort to place the finances of
the State upon sound basis:
Fi.st-That it is absolutely necessary
that the existing bonded and floating debt
of the State should be rigidly scrutinized
by the board Of liquidation. before its form
is changed into the new consolidated bonds
This is due both to the State and to the
holders Of its valid obligations.
Second-A thorough reorganization of
the offices of the Auditor and Treasurer, in
order that the accounts Of the State NAV be
properly kept, and the proper checks had
against error and fraud.
TbirG-RefOrm in legislative appropria.
tions. particularly in the contingent ex-
penses of both branches of the General As
sembiy, which IN the pas. has proved
perfect ''bonanza" of fraud and corruption.
FOurth-ReductiOn in the expense of
assessing and collecting taxes.
For the year ending December 81, 1873.
the parish Of Orleans paid taXesto
the state amounting to. ...........$ So 10 5N iJ
The remaining parishes paid ......... 995, 81. %
Total taxes collected. d.......... S3 765, 1853 So
The commissions paid to collectors were
as follows:
Parish OF Orleans SIS. %. -
other parlshes. ...................... $3.50 %
Total commission paid. ..... ...... ) 256, ,8l4 63
Fifth-The most rigid economy in the
annual expenditures. reduction of salaries,
and abolition OF all useless and unnecessary
offices.
We have ventured these suggestions be- |
,GuSe, without them, all efforts at financial !
are useless. With them we |
see no reason why our financial affairs can |
lot be placed upon sound basis, and our
axation rapidly reduced.
In conclusion, if this report be not exactly
what could be expected of experts and ac-
'Ountants. we beg to say that full exami
nation of the affairs of the Auditors and
Creasurer's Offices involve and demand the
.lmost impossible combination of the
alents Of the lawyer and the detective
With those of the accountant, and would, if
urther combined. with the experience of
he politician familiar with the rings and
liques who have so long been plundering
he State, be still more effective.
All of which is most respectfully sub
lit:ed.
L. H. GARDNER,
JOHN PHELPS.
P. j. COCKBURN.