Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1883-05-09
the inmates,l wearing apparel and when
necessary, clothing should be supplied.
Respectfully submitted,
THE COUNTY OFFICES.


THE COUNTY OFFICES.
The committee appointed to visit and ex-
anime the county offices and records, re-
spectfully beg leave to report that they
have visited the following Offices, viz: clerk
of court, register of deeds, abstract Office,
county treasurer and auditors Office and
the Office of the board of control. In the
clerk of courts Office all moneys paid into
court and deposited in bank to the credit
of r. w. Bell, as clerk of the court, and
paid out on his order only, approved by
one of the judges of the district court, All
fees belonging to the clerk cannot be sub
iected to the supervision of grand
juries. There certainly is a
very great and pressing need for more
room in this Office, the vault room espe-
cially is so contracted that the clerk does
not have that space at his disposal which
would enable him to classify and arrange
his files of papers so that any paper or file
of papers could be quickly and readily OBJ
tanned which he could do if more space
was allowed him for this purpose. The
committee does not wish to he understood
as in any way rejecting upon the clerk in
this matter, as they believe he is doing the
best he can under the circumstances. The
committee, however, has been informed
that the county commissioners have
made or are about to make ar
engagements for more room, by the con-
struction of an addition to the present
building width it is to be hoped will in
some measure at least, relieve the pressure
upon this and other county offices SINH
larily situated.
ABSTRACT OFFICE.
In this Office the committee find the
same lack of space as in the clerks Office,
and that the daily business of the Office
has increased to such an extent that all the
available space is occupied during the
day for that purpose. This will perhaps
account for the fact that the abstract books
are generally in arrears, that is,
they have not been written
up for about eighteen months past. This
being the case the committee are informed
adds very much to the labor of making out
abstracts, and the longer the books remain
in this condition the more difficult will be
the process. The committee recommend
that these books be written up at the ear
lest possible moment that time and cir
cumstances will permit.
By a recent act of the legislature the
salary of the abstract clerk was established
at $4,000 per annum, and the clerk
hire at $1,000, and the committee
is informed by the officer in charge
that the business has increased to such an
extent that the whole amount of the
items named would be absorbed in the
payment of the necessary clerical force to
do the work. In most cases an increase of
business would indicate an increase of
pay, but this Office appears to be case of
inverse proportion.
REGISTER OF DEEDS OFFICE.
A large amount of business is now being
transacted in this Office, the instruments
offered for record, the committee are in
formed, will average from fifty to one hun
dred per day. The register informs the
committee that the plats of addi-
tions, ETC., filed during the year 1882,
have not been duplicated, and when
this is the case the plats by con-
slant usage for reference etc., be-
come defaced so that it is with difficulty
that they can be reproduced. When two
copies are filed one of them can be kept
from general use, and kept in good condl-
ton, while the other is being used for ref
erence. In this matter the committee trust
that such measures will be taken as will
secure the filing of duplicate copies.
TREAsURER's OFFICE.
A change having been recently made in
the incumbent of this Office, the county
commissioners at that time, doubtless
made such an examination of the books
and accounts as satisfied them of their
correctness. The committee, however,
during the short time allotted to them,
made inquiries into the systems which this
Office had adopted in the transaction of
business and believe it to be an excellent
one, and such as would be commended by
an intelligent, discriminating public.
Cd ssBoARD OF CONTROL.
By recent act of the legislature provision
was made for the reorganization of this
board, which will shortly become effective,
and in view of this fact, the committee
deem it inexpedient to make any sugges-
lions Or recommendations.
AUDITORS OFFICE.
The auditor is simply the bookkeeper of
the county, and his books and records
ought not to be fairly open to the crit
cism which might be applied to receiv-
ing and discussing officer. The commit
tee, therefore, after having given all the
consideration that time and circumstances
would permit, to an examination
of his system of checking, accounting and
bookkeeping, have no hesitation in saying
that they believe it to be admirably adapt
ed to the county business, and that the
affairs of the Office are managed and con-
Quoted with marked degree of ability,
and in such a manner as to command the
hearty and unqualified Endorsement of
a candid public. Respectfully submitted
E. M. VAN DUzEE,
F. Mccormick,
VIM. F. DAVIDSON,
D. A. MoNFoRT,
Committee.
THE COUNTY ATTORNEY.
ST. PAUL, May s, 1888.
ResoIred, That this grand jury would
omit to discharge duty and deprive it.
self of pleasure should it adjourn with
out official mention of the ability and
consciousness with which the county
attorney has discharged his duty during
our session, and we hereby tender to him
our thanks for the courtesy and considera.
ton he has shown to US.
81 " Keep to your place and your place will
keep YOU" But you cannot expect to keer