The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-02-16

1.-THE funding commenced), and March,
! 1874 fthe time when introduced the
|cancellation BY means OF a punch)" This
uncertain condition OF affairs demands the
instant appointment OF commission. in-
vested with authority to go to the very bot
tom OF the matter, SO as to ascertain erdctt1
what bonds OF the State are really in the
hands OF the public, and what, II any, are
i improperly absent from the tiles OF the
jTreasurer's Office. Q. AS tothe bonds OF this
Office not yet issued, and amounting to some
1890, 900, 900, action should be taken at once
by the General Assembly looking to the de-
ssruction OF the major portion OF them. In
this connection we beg to call the attention
LOT the General Assembly to the able report
made by the stselect joint committee (ses-
4 sion 1874S5) relative to the condition in the
bonds OF the Commonwealth" /" House jour
1nal, 1874-'5; House document 81 These
bonds are IN simple wooden cases, and in
/ the open room occupied by the Treasurer.
There is bat one safe in bis office, and that
/ by no means frst-class one--that is, con-
sidering the greater security to be found in
safes OF later construction. 1t is neither
just nor reasonable to expect any response
bility from an officer so desperately circum-
stanced. The committee above referred to
1 recommended the destruction Of S15, ,400, 600
OF these bonds. We submit that not over
ST, 100000 should be kept; the remainder.
after proper yerification and record, to be
| burned In the presence Of a committee, COM
posed OF the Goyernor,sa a committee OF each
{house OF the General Assembly, and the
/ Treasurer. The bonds belonging to in
surance companies deposited with the
Treasurer should be sealed up and the
packages properly endorsed. They are now
4 lodged in his safe, where should also be
| kept the blank bonds-say $4,000, ,000-above
4 recommended to be retained for account OF
the current business.
| A coupon-register should be kept in the
office Of the Treasurer corresponding with
that kept in the Office Of the SECOND Audi
tor, or, rather, recommended to be kept
there.
Three clerks, in our judgment, by work
ing longer each day, should be able to do all
| the work Of the Treasurer's Office, including
the new duty of opening and keeping the
coupon-register. The form Of this register,
as proposed by, Mr.. Steger and amended by
Mr.. Newman "a memorandum herewith), is
q good one..
flee, if absorbed in the Office OF Auditor OF
Public Accounts, viii! not derange the
checks proper to be observed in the trans
action Of the public business. The Trea-
surer's office will continue to be an efectual
check.
8. As to the office of auditor of Public
| Accounts.
The books in this office are in good form,
and the work performed there is very null
tifarious, and involves great detail. The
accounts rendered for all service done, and
supplies furnished for account OF the Com
monWealth, are settled in this office. as the
State makes no advances to IFS officers for
I disbursement it is not possible to concen-
4 trate the accounts. Even jurors and wit
nesses are settled with by the Auditor in
detail. The operations OF the Mohett
register have added considerably TO
the labors Of the Auditors office.
By requiring the clerks to work longer
each day the Auditor would soon be able to
determine whether or not any OF his torce
could be dispensed with. From the eXaml-
nation we have been able to give this office,
although satisfied about the propriety Of the
forms observed in the transaction OF its
business, we do not deem ourselves compe-
tent to say whether the clerical force should
be curtalled or not. The services performed
by this office are Of very especial import
ance. It's settlement Of the accounts for re-
ceipt and disbursement of the Common
wealth's revenue involves the almost hourly
construction OF laws and the utmost care in
its determinations; for its findings are not,
as in the United States system Of account
ing, subject to the revision OF another office
before definitely passed. Giving due weight
to these considerations, we could not do
other, under the circumstances, than ven
ture the conclusion above.
4. as to the Register of the Land Office.
The records of the Land Office are OF the
highest value, and should ever be in the
hands of q responsible man. This office
should not, in our judgment, be either abol-
isbed or merged in that of any other. 1t is
the custodian of the munimentS OF title TO
the lands OF the Commonwealth, and is,
therefore, of peculiar dignity. The present
incumbent Of the Office informs US that
lportion of the records Of the office is seve-
|ral years behind. Considering that his Of
fee Except during the session OF the Legis-
lature, when it is used as committee-room)
lis quite free OF interruption, and that it is
proper for him to work a greater number
OF hours each day than he does now, be
should be required to bring up this back
work. This officer also acts as SGpeTtntend-
1 emit of Weiqhts and Measures aud Super5n-
tendent of Public Buildings; but these duties
need not necessarily occupy much OF his time.
THAT this Office may be made as nearly self
sustaining as possible, we respectfully re-
commend that the bill now before the Sem
ate increasing. the fees to be charged by this
Office be adopted. ,'t..st
5. As to the office of the Secretary OF the
| Commonwealth.
The functions of this Office are very man
Eifold and important we know OF
no executive office having so wide range;
aud the force at the disposal OF the Secretary
is by no means excessive. The forms OF
the books kept by him are clear, and do not
appear susceptible OF improvement; and
these books are very numerous.
6. As TO the Superintendent Of Public
Printing. +
Looking at the cost OF the public printing
in old times as compared with the present
and we see how great is the saving now.
This officer has but one assistant, porter,
who acts also as clerk. In an office so con-
centrated as this is, in the matter and cost
of its force, it is not seen what would be
| gained by attaching its duties to some other
Office. Similar persons would have to be
employed to do the duties, and we doubt II
| the same efficiency could be expected OF 1t
that the State now enjoys.
Z. As to the Superintendent of the Pen'-
tentiary. =,
We visited this institution and had pres
lent the Board and the Storekeeper MIR.
4 Taliaferro). Its accounts are well kept, eX-
cent that no general ledger is provided to
show at once and at all times the exact con-
dition of every head of account covered by
4 the operations Of the institution. We
4 recommended this to be done. 1t appears
i that a portion of the revenue and disburse-
4 ments is made through the Superintendent
land portion through the Auditor and
Traocurar Eyerything in our Judgment,