Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1881-03-23
uld commit him for contempt if he

Mr.. Musser-Yes, it is disgraceful that
two of the county auditors will no. per-
nit an investigation to be had where the
interests of the county are at stake. Then
turning to Mr.. War(el, Mr.. Musser said
that what he wanted to get at was the
amount of cash in the county treasurer's
safe, vault or other place on the 31st Of
December last.
Treasurer Croft, rising and producing q
memorandum, said the amount of cash,
checks and receipts in the treasury on
that date was s22,
Mr.. Musser-Mr. Warfel, what was the
amount of cash, checks, drafts and other
assets in the safe or vault on the 21st Of
December?
Mr.. Collins, impatiently-Why, Mr..
Musser, you have asked that question
three times and been three times an
swercd. Pray let us proceed to busi-
ness.
Mr.. Musser-Will you keep quiet, Mr..
Collins q? Will you set down.
Mr.. Steinmetz mildly suggested that if
Mr.. Musser didn't keep quiet he might
land in an asylum !; and Mr.. Musser re-
sponded that Mr.. Steinmetz was in greater
danger of landing in the Jail.
Mr.. Musser repeated his question to Mr..
Warfel, adding that he wanted to ascer.
tain separately the amount of cash, checks,
and other assets on the day named.
Mr.. Warfel said it would be impossible
for him to tell. He supposed the cash in
hand on the day named might have been
from SIG, 600 to $19, 900.
Mr.. Steinmetz insisted that Mr.. Mus
ser's examination Of the witness was en-
tirely irrelevant, and mildly suggested
that if that gentleman refused to 20 on
with the work entrusted to the auditors,
tho other members had better depose him
and elect another chairman.
This proposition was received with great
favor by the outsiders, one of whom was
rash enough to propose that all hands
take drink
Mr.. Musser at once threatened to COM
NIT him for contempt, and a boistcrOus
cOllOGuy ensued between the parties, Mr..
Musser speaking in dead earnest, and tho
other in a jOcular way.
Finally Mr.. Curran arose and said
though he was the minority inspector, he
felt that he had duty to perform. The
chairman by his conduct has delayed the
work of the board. We must 60 Oh and fin
ish our wOck. AS far as the country treas
urers accounts arc concerned they have
been audited and found correct. That
VIC may proceed with other work, now
move that Mr. Musser be deposed from
the Craftsmanship of the board
Mr.. Musscr-The motion is out of
order Mr.. Curran, take your seat no
motion is in order before a board of audi
tors.
Mr.. Steinmetz to Mr.. Collins )-Why
don't you put the question
Mr.. Musser-Stenmetz, SIT down! No
motion is in order here.
Mr.. Collins-Then l suppose you are the
board apd we are of 10 account.
Mr.. Musser-No don't say that !; but
| say the motion is out OF order and want
you to sit down.
Mr.. Collins-I am member Of this
board and will speak and act whenever
have occasion to.
Mr.. Curran-I again move that Mr..
Musser he deposed from the chairman
ship.
Mr.. COllins-I second the mott Oh MIR.
Clerk put the question.
Mr.. Shenk, the clerk. put the gu estion
and Messrs. Collins and Curran voted for
it. Mr.. Musser declined to vote.
Mr.. Curran then moved that Mr.. Collins
lie chosen chairman, and this was agreed
to.
Mr.. Musscr-All l have to say j., that
the action of the majority Of this board
is simply ridiculous and if they should
get into any trouble by reason Of their un-
warranted proceedings, l want them to
acquit ME ofall responsibility for it.
Messrs. Collins and Curran declared they
would do SD.
Mr.. SteinEetz, after Mr.. Collins had
taken the chair. asked if tho county treas
urer's audit had been finished
Mr.. Collins answered that it had, Where
upon Messrs. Steinmetz, Croft, Warfel
and the greater part of the crowd left the
room in great good humor.
Mr.. Collins proposed to proceed at once
to audit the poor house account.
Mr.. Musser, who had been figuring for
some time, said it appeared from the evil
dence before the board, that there is only
81. G01.5G of the county funds that have
not been accounted for. There is nothing
to show where this may have been depos-
tied. All the state funds are properly ac-
counted for.
Mr.. Musser then said he would retire
from the board for the present.
Mr.. Collins wanted to 60 Gil with the
audit, but as Mr.. Musser had left the
room and as there had been a sceEe of ex-
citcment and confusion, Mr.. Curran in
sisted on an adjournment until Il o'clock
this afternoon.
This Afternoons Meeting.
This afternoon the auditors met at one
o'clock. Mr.. Musser was informed that
Messrs. Collins and Curran had passed a
resolution to take up the poor directors
report. Mr.. Musser read the resolution
and then said that he still was president
of the board, having been duly elected and
having never been duly ousted, and that
the other auditors had no power to GUST
him. Mr.. Collins said he would not con-
tend the point with him. The motion to
proceed with the poor house account was
then made. Mr.. Musscr asked to be
heard on question of privilege. This
was agreed to and Mr.. Musser
began his speech. He said that Mr.. Croft
had stated that he has balance on hand,
but has not explained where it is deposited.
Mr.. Curran said that that matter should
have been inquired into yesterday. Mr..
Musser then read some of the testimony
given by Mr.. Croft, Mr.. Warfel and the
bankers yesterday afternoon. Mr.. Stein
metz interrupted Musser, stating that he
neglected to read portion of the testi-
mOny which was important, and he &C.
cused him of being dishonest. Musscr
said that that had nothing to do with the
point under consideration. Mr.. Warfel
was then sent for and he testified to about
the same facts as before. The auditors
then proceeded to audit the poor director:
account.
Up to this time no one was quite sure
who was president of the board. Mr..
COllinS retired for n few moments and