The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1877-06-15
AUDITOR JUMEI'S TROUBLE.

AUDITOR JUMEI'S TROUBLE.
Phe New Orleans correspondent of
the IberviIle South, published ut
Piaquenine, in Il recent letter says:
Capt. Junet will have his hands full,
shortly, in examining the tax rolls of
this parish since the year 1870. There
is more than good reason to believe
that the delinquent tax rolls to be turn
ed over to him have been tampered
with in the Auditors office; that the
names and amounts We're placed on
separate sheets, not PACED, and without
additions of amounts, SO that any tlesir-
Ell number OF sheets could be abstract
ed, leaving no evidence that the rolls
were <scrooked." This arrangement, of
course, had more than one in it's man
ipulation. The large debtors on the
rolls were searched for, and propositions
for settlement made. Some paid,
others compromised, knowing at the
time that the funds paid over to the
parties, proved not to be accounted for
to the State. It is true receipts were
given, and q line drawn over each
name, rs evidence of payment; but the
money was not to be accounted for
and to destroy the evidence on the de-
iinquent rolls, the sheets, ON which
other names who have paid nothing as
well as those who have compromised
were, have been taken away, and all
names not on the list are considered
not delinquents, and therefore tke pre-
sumption on the face of the papers is
that they have paid, and in this way
escape the payment Of their indebted
| ness to the State.
A thorough investigation into this
matter, obtaining the rolls from the tax
collectors, or such officers in the coun-
try parishes as are custodians, will
reveal such a sight that the name of
carpet-bagger will be more odious than
it is at present, if such Il thing be pos
sible. 1 have no doubt that thousands
and thousands of dollars Of the State
| money, in this way, have found their
way into the pockets of our dishonest
enemies. The retrenchment folly Of
the Legislature in curtaileing the
Auditors expenses, refusing him the
right he should have of employing
competent experts and examiners, will
deprive the State of the realization OF
large sums of money fraudulently di-
verted. If, however, the records of the
office can be found (of which have
doubts) and an honest examinatiO
made, it will be ascertained that double
payments of false claims have been
made, and all kinds of robbery COM
mitted on the treasury. This will take
some time but the labor and expense
will be we'll rewarded, if not in the re-
covery of all the money stolen, at least
in showing the people the character of
the fraudulent government under which
they have so long lived and patiently
endured, and restitution from the
guilty parties enforced in Il legal man
ner, both civilly and criminalIy. If
Captain Jumel goes into this investiga-
ton, and have no doubt he will, sue
cess will attend him but he should
have permanent examiner by all
means. The cost would be of more
| than five fold benefit to the State.
I Besides the abstraction of some por-
tions of the tax rolls, the rascals have
also destroyed the vouchers Of the false
Judgments, so that it will be necessary
to take up each payment, or warrant,
in the Treasurer's office, and trace it to
! its source.
Mr.. G. r. Messersfnith, who was a
bank cashier at Chambersburg at the
time General Jeb Stuart raided upon
the place, has written u letter to Sena-
tor M. c. Butler, of South Caroline, who
was one of the raiding party, which
letter is full Of the spirit of goodwill
which the Presidents policy has in.
lspired. Mr.. Messersmith says that
long ago he decided that as soon rs all
Irritating traces of the war were oblit-
Grated he would write General Butler
and thank him for his kind and gentle
treatment of his family, at the trying
time when Chambersburg was in the
hands of the Confederates. "Now,'
says Mr.. Nfessersmith, "that President
Hayes has released the last of the States
from military rule, 1 deem it a fitting
occasion to do so, and to assure you o
my pleasant recollection and good
wishes, and to say to you now, what
could not say swhen last we met tina,
1 would be glad tosee you atmy home
where warm and cordial greeting vii
r always await you.' This is a gooe
kind of reconciliation, and Mr.. Messer
: smiths letter will doubtless give Sena
5 tor Butler Il somewhat different char
3 acter than he has had in the eyes O
3 most Northern people.