The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1876-05-26
An Important Matter TO Borough and Town
ship Auditors

Several times in the last few months we
have called the attention Of the people and
officers of the several boroughs and town
ships in this county to the law requiring
them to publish an itemized financial state
ment of their accounts in the newspapers in
their immediate neighborhood. We have
been led to do this, not altogether from a
selfish motive, but because it is our duty as
journalists to keep the people posted in all
matters that pertain to their interests; and
also because we have noticed that in a great
many instances the law was being totally
disregarded. The law has been for years es-
pecially explicit as regards boroughs, and
yet the boroughs of Milesburg and Howard
have paid no attention to the matter what
ever. This disregard of the law subjects the
auditors of the borough, if the corporation is
in debt, of one thousand dollars apiece; if
not in debt, of twenty dollars. The officers
of the school boards in these two places
have been equally derelict in their duty, and
are liable to similar fine.
By law passed in 1875, the duty is now
just as obligatory upon townships or other
corporations, This question is being pre-
sented to the people by the papers all over
the State, and This has led us to investigate
the matter. We have sought information of
the lawyers, and they tell us that the law
upon this point is plain-that it plainly re-
quires the auditors of the several boroughs
and townships to publish a statement of
their accounts, respectively, at the close OF
each fiscal year, in at least two newspapers
in the county; also by written on printed
posters, posted within the several boroughs
or townships. Some of the township and
borough officers have held the opinion that
the written or printed posters, posted in the
town or township, were sufficient. A case
of this kind was tried in Washington coun-
ty, involving neglect of the auditors to
publish in the papers, and after thorough
examination the Court decided against the
auditors and fined them twenty dollars each
In Allegheny county like case was tried
and with exactly the same result.
No doubt the reason why some person,
have thought Il publication by written on
printed notices, posted up in the borough OF
or township, was sufficient compliance with
the law, is because the act of 1874 so stated
it, but the provisions of the act were as fol.
lows:
Nothing in this act shall be construed tC
interfere with the present law which require,
annual statements of the receipts and expen
diures OF the borough councils, road com
missioners, supervisors, overseers of the poor
| and school directors to be advertised in tn,
daily or weekly papers published in the re
| spectiye localities.
1t is plain from the above that the writer
or printed statements to be posted within
the borough or township, is in addition t,
the publication in the papers, for were it no
40 the act itself would be practically of n,
effect in fact a nullity,
Then again, on the Goth day of April ,lS6
the Governor approved an act, the 9th sec
tion of which required the corporate author
tiles of ecery municipality or district to annu
ally, in the month of January, prepare an,
publish in at least two newspapers of sal,
municipality, or Of The county in which tn