Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1875-02-20

duced Additions will, however, be made To class 4
by the continuation of work under old contracts.
TREASURER OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS.
The duties imposed upon the board of audit by
have not been fully performed aitbongh fr On SIX to
nlne experienced clerks have been constantly en-
gagged in the effort to elucdate the accounts of the
treasurer Of the Board of Pablo Works. The treas
urer begiD his official duties July ], ISL and con
uued ia office until June ", 1874 period Of but
fw DAYS short of three years. During that period
settlement Of his accounts was made, and we
any other officer OF the Board Of Public Works or Of
the District. Under such a condition of affairs
rod he received nd dsbursed more than SIS 01O0 900
without check or animation Of his accounts by any
care on his own part. The manner in which the ac-
counts were kept was 80 defective as to render an
examination OF every entry and Of every voucher
necessary, and made full compliance with the re-
qnteutnts OF the second section OF the resolution,
within the time limited Impossible. We are able,
FIRST That the accounts of the treasurer were not
so Kept as 10 show from day to day, or during any
period OF time, whether his payments made in
eral rule, tn whom paid. Payments OF auditors Ger
tfcatts were sometimes enter ed in the of the
holders assienees and sometimes i'm the names uf the
PaI res IN whose t2vor they We're issued although
paid "a assignees No regular system in this respect
principal portion Of the disbursements were in pay
ment Of auditors certificates, and appear from
the accounts In all cases examined the nature of
the claims paid appears from the books and vouchers
on file, and whether upon regular authority or
Second. Assuming that the inquiry whether or not
the money and other assets which were received by
properly accounted for by him. refers accounting
with the proper accounting officers Of the District,
Third. The examination So far shows the payment
by the treasurer of unaUdted claims to the amount
Fourth. Payments were male which had no appa-
rent connection with the public Improvements with
the District made by the Board Of Public Works,
such as fees of attorneys and counsel. These may
however, have been connected with the improve
Fifth. The payments above referred to, amounting
20 IS $50 were made upon irregular vouchers, but
lNffs hoy Vuf.rff lTaf
ties Of the District Payments without the auditor
certificates We regard rs irregular and improper.
Sixth. The inquiry as to what, il any, amount re-
mains in the hands of the treasurer cannot Ice accu-
Tately ascertaned until the full examination of the
looks and vouchers shall have been completed.
The examination of the accounts which has been
made shows that the treasurer is chargeable
And that be has paid out..-,........ IS, 2}S ,075
Balance apparently due, emitting frac-
II is moi at ali certain that this is correct Goi
ana ful examination may Increase this balance, or
reduce or remove il. In several instances when
CALLED upon for information the treasurer produced
from has private papers, auditor certificates which
had been paid. Other certificates were found in the
treasurers office, of which account had not been
made but which had been paid. IL Is proper to state
that the treasurer claims balance TO he due To him
lie also states that during the examination by the
JOINT committee Of Congress his books and papers
were carried to the committee ROOM and thus got
INTO confusion. II i apparent that after the eNam
nation commenced the books were neglected. The
board Of audit found the papers in confused coudi
tiCn' and this added much to the perplexty of the
gress. PO
The accounts Of the auditor controller collector,
and treasurer Of the District have not been exam
Ined. The large amount involved in claims against
the District presented for audit and the amount and
unsatisfactory character of the accounts Of the treas
uTeT 81 the board have constantly occupied the time
Hi me cl, * employ ed and prevented the cXamna
ton Of other offices.
AUDITOR OF THE BOARD OF PUBLIC WORKS.
he eXamlnatlOn OF the books and files of the audi
tor OF the board shows the issue Of II $50 certificates
eleven cert cates the whole number were correctly
entered on the books and the eleven erroneous en-
tries have been corrected. No injury sustained
~ the errors OF the certificates 7l2, amounting
proper evidence or vouchers, on the order of the
Board OF Public Works, of some member
bers OF the board. In each case mea sureneut, Of
WORK or other proper vouchers were subSe.luea'l Is
presented and audited, covering the certificates thus
issued In every case the account accounts form
ing the basis OF certificate examined verify
The amount allowed and certified by the audit
W hen certificates were issued for work unOer On
tracts, or under instructions, they charged to
The contractor in an individual account bHt credits
for sums audited and allowed were not entered =
thar the contractors appeared to be debtors The
books Tor amounts certified. and tho autjt-
they we're entitled appeared only by the paper aud
vouchers on ME IN the office. The~" papers and
vouchers were found 10 be in good order with very
Jew exceptions, which We're probably uCca~iOuel by
the removal Of books and pa peTs To tho committee
room during the last session Of Congress
The AMOUNT EXPENDED on IMPROVEMENTS
by the Board of Public Works aud the Commission
ers, a. audited and allowed by the auditor Uf the
beard and by the board Of audit from june ISL To
December p, 1874. is
IDT work : II AS .43l -
For % O.l n
For roads, outside of the citiss...... zoo ,4u 81
+ 'r raising and uudeTplnlng and her
wise repairing private buildings dam
aged by the hnproy ements......-...... 2i8.isI 81