Martinsburg independent. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1875-1900, 1881-08-27

to withdraw the report, that it
might be fixed up in accordance
with the facts, which I brought to
their attention. This was the sec
ond time the committee was forced
to withdraw and amend their re-
port.
Now, a word of personahexplana-
ton. In all the meetings of the
| Finance Committee, during the last
three months which they have been
engaged in this settlement, | have
stood alone. The majority of the
committee have virtually ignored all
my suggestions and voted down all.
most every proposition made by me
in committee. But NOTWITHSTANDING
ing it must now be admitted that |
have from time to time pointed out
errors and called attention to bills
turned in as not paid which had been
paid. and other matters which in the
aggregate has made difference in
favor of the Corporation of $79o,
and the committee have been forced
to admit it and to amend their re-
ports to cover it. Feeling that |
1 have not been properly supported by
the committee in my efforts to watch
the interests of the Corporation, and
that on account of recent develop
ments, that the majority have been
wrong in their former reports, which
| refused to sign, it strikes me
that it must now be patent to an un-
prrjudiced mind that the majority
were either actuated in their course
by personal feelings toward me,
which they allowed to over ride their
sense of duty to the Corporation, or
were not disposed to go TO the bot
tom in their investigation and place
the facts fully before the council.
Now let it be remembered that the
majority reports submitted to this
council showing that the Sergeant's
books were correct, and which were
adopted, were offered by me, and
that | stated to the council that the
reports We're not correct, and that
could not sign them or vote for
them.
The recent investigations show
that [ was right; and the amended
report now submitted shows differ
ence in favor of the Corporation, as
compared with the last majority re-
/ port, of 1895, including bills not on
the Assessors books and collected
| by the Sergeant without authority,
, and which were not charged to him
by the Finance Committee, amount
ing to $50. This amount Of 1895 in
} favor of the Corporation, was dis
covered in the Sergeant's reports of
amounts OF fines, market-house rev.
enue, erroneous assessments, bills
: turned in as vouchers, which had
! been paid, water bills, and which
certainly shows to say the least, very
/ great incempetency and carlessness
| on the part of the Sergeant. l claim
, that my refusal to sgn the majority
, reports, and insisting on going to
) the bottom in these Investigations, |
= have saved the Corporation, includ-
= ing the 1896, the $50 of bills collect
5 ed without authority land the throw
= ing out of $401 20 of old bills which
the Sergeant put in as vouchers), a
t total sum of $4,000.
: In conclusion | desire to state that
4 there is an important matter which
h., [ called the committees attention
r to, and asked to have it brought be-
fore an executive session of the
= council, as / did not wish to make
I public matter that might injure
the credit of the Corporation. The
3, committee have not thought proper
I to give the matter attention, and /
: am now compelled to state it in open
council. The credit of the Corpora
J tion can only be sustained by prompt
> collections on the part of the Ser
| geant. An examination of the books
reveals the fact that the Sergeant
| was $4,000 behind with his collec-
tions up to June 1st. 1t is impor-
! tant that the council examine into
! this matter and take some action in
t regard to it. 1t is due to the inter-
9 est of the Corporation that the cause
1 of this deficiency in collections be
Y explained.
/ think this statement of facts
concerning the examination of the
3 Sergeant's books, the ugly errors de-
veloped, (all of them against the
Corporation), and the large def
cheney in his collections demands
the prompt and fearless action of
this council. / shall be governed in
my course in dealing with this mat
ter, as l have been from the begin
ming, solely with a purpose to dis
charge my sworn duty to protect the
J interest of the citizens of this Cor
poration, and / shall endeayor to do
it without fear, favor or Partially.
: In fighting through this investiga-
: ton, have had no purpose or de-
sire TO drag down the Sergeant Or
any one else connected with the Cor
poration. 1t is the duty Of every
member of this council to look after
the interests of the people. Each
man must account to his own con-
, victions of duty, with the light be-
! fore him.