Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1880-01-24
Public Offices.

authorities to know.
The office of county treasurer was found
to be conducted with commendable syste-
matte business method. He handled about
100000 last year. His books are SO ar
ranged as to show details of every transac-
ton, and had been all checked up by the
State examiner but few days before exami-
nation by your committee and found to be
correct.
The treasurer keeps daily cash book
showing amount actually Oh hand at the
close of each day, and also where funds are
deposited. Classified in this daily statement,
your committee found under the head of
leash items'' large amount represented,
which, upon further investig alton, we learn
ed consisted of checks drawn by the cashiers
of some of our principal banks which we're
given to the treasurer for the personal tax of
those banks. These cashiers checks were
dated Feb. %, 1880, more than six weeks
in advance, and although the tax is not due
until that day, still it was, in a measure,
irregular for the treasurer to give his re-
ceipt for said taxes until he had
received either currency or cash check for
the amount of his receipt. In justification
of the treasurer it may be said, these banks
so paying their taxes, collect pro ratio, in
the meantime, from their stockholders,
while, We are informed, such is not the case
with the other banks. In any event the
tax is not due until the advanced date of the
check, the county does not suffer in the
slightest degree, and the only risk incurred
is borne by the treasurer personally. This
is the only criticism your committee can
make, while they found much to commend
in the highest degree from multiplied evil
derces that tho office is administered with
superior ability and integrity.
In the Office of the county auditor VIC
found the State examiner at work checking
up the books. This Office includes the of
fee of the county commissioners. Your
committee must condemn the practice of
the board in destroying all cancelled county
warrants and evidences of paid Indebtedness
within thirty days after each settlement with
the treasurer. instead of keeping the same
until they shall have been legally outlawed.
The auditors books are we'll and closely
written up and Systematically kept. he has
introduced many improvements in the
method of keeping record of all the multi
farious transactions of the county, which
your committee cordially commend.
10 be just and impartial, it is necessary to
criticize the action of the various boards of
county commissioners for the past three
years IN voting to allow the auditor during
that time more than ST. 200 in excess of the
lsgel amount allowed, and in defiance of an
express prohibition by law. The taxpayers
should bring a pnblic sentiment to bear,
which would prevent these officials from H.
legally increasing the burden of property
owners.
The auditor failed last June to do his duty
in neglecting to read statements of delin-
quent personal taxes due this county from
parties who had removed to other counties
whose addresses were given him by the coun-
ty treasurer. This he is required to do by
section 63 of the tax law of 1873. The county
commissioners ought to have a committee
whose duty it should be to see that such
plainly defined legal duties are promptly and
properly performed.
The Office of the judge of probate was
visited next. His records and system of do
ing business was found on the whole to be
commendable. He ought, however, to keep
fee record book, as in our judgment should
all officers who collect fees from the public
Some provision should be made by law or
otherwise so that estates which have remain
ed unsettled for very many years could be
closed up on the books.
The county assessor handles no fees nor
perquisites, but is paid by salary. He was
found busily engaged preparing for the new
asst ssment.
The register of deeds was found at his
desk. His compensation consists of the fees
be collects. These fees are regulated by
law. He makes 10 report of fees collected
to the county board. The general law re-
quires 1t. but the special law pertaining to
Ills Office does not. He thinks one person
should be paid by the county to be in con-
slant attendance in the record vault, and to
prevent tampering with the valuable records
therein contained. To the credit of the reg
lister it must be said he keeps record book
of fees showing exact amount received each
day, and summarized monthly and quar-
terry.
The clerk CT the court has greatly i'm
proved the method of conducting the bust
ness of his Office. Still there is somewhat to
criticize, which criticism should not rest so
much on the incumbent as on the trainers of
the law pertaining to this Office. The income
Of this Office is mainly derived from fees.
The incumbent gives bond for the
paltry sum of one thousand dollars,
deposit in his individual name on Jan. 81
the large sum Of $50, 3s5e6, and in his Of
fetal name about $1,000, making in all
more than $4,000 of money belonging to
litigants. The amount in his official name
was transferred by his predecessor in Office.
1t is true this is not public money, but,
while it belongs to litigants, it is placed in
tho custody of public officer. The clerk
himself acknowledged the bond he gave was
ridiculously small, but said that was all the
law required. Your committee trusts the
proper authorities, including the judges of
our courts and the county commissioners,
will take cognizance of these facts and apply
the proper remedy as soon as practicable.
The county is fortunate in having, in the in
cumbent of this Office, financially respon-
sible gentleman, but We cannot rely upon
this he NAV die during his incumbency,