Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-02-01

Developments Aut1cAPuteu--A AA' 81
Explanation.
FINANCE COMMITTEES REPORT.
The Committee on Finance deem it proper
at this time TO bring to the attention OF Ioan-
ell the result OF the investigation OF the treas
ury of the city. and submit herewith the re,
port OF f. F. Bryan. Esq, who was appointed
by the Finance Committee OF the former
hoard to make an Investigation OF the city
treasury for the years 1879, lSeO. 1881 ana looz.
1t will be seen that the Investigation mas de-
veloped such irregularities IN eaeh oi tIle years
investigated by the expert. when nave not
been explained by Mr.. Cope This committee
gave Mr.. Cope until last Saturday to make an
explanation Of the affairs OF his once. On
Saturday evening he handed in what pur-
DOrted to be an explanation OF the dehelt In
the coupon account, claiming that the former
count of coupons was erroneous, Dut showing
A deficit of some s.. 600 in this account.
In order TO investigate for itself this mat
ter. your committee counted the coupons
again on last Monday, and practically Verlned
the count as made by the Finance committee
OF the former board. No. explanation mas
been offered of any of the other irregularities
and deficiencies brought to Dir. Cope atten-
ton. and your committee are satisfied from an
examination of the books or the treasurer )
Office that none can be made.
In view Of the facts developed in this inves-
LEGATION, YOUR committee deem II proper 10
recommend TO Council that this committee DE
authorized to continue the investigation De-
gun BY the committee of the former Board.
SAMUEL p. HAMILTON,
Chairman Finance committee.
THE EXPERTS REPORT.
SAVANNAH, GA, Jan. %, 1888.
Mr. s. p. Hamilton, Chairman FINANCE COM
1nittee Citg Council Of .SdUdnndh:
SIR-Under authority of the Finance Com
mIttee OF the late City Council, OF wElch COM
mittee Mr.. Geo. C.. freeman was chairman i aL
was employed by the city of Savannah. as an
expert accountant, to examine the DOCKS ana
accounts of the City Treasury for the years
1879, 1880. 1881 and 1882, and to report upon the
Of flaaa a vi q
accepted the charge, [ Immediately after ap-
pOintment entered upon my duties, which was
early IN October last, and continued the eX-
animation up TO the time the late Doar9 fetired
from Office At the commencement OF the In
vestigation l divided the work INTO TWO
classes.
First. That which properly might be termed
sssuperficial." That is to say. examining upon
the basis of the records as / found them In the
Office of the Treasury.
Second. Confirming the correctness or in
correctness of the data as II Is Iouuu reeorqeu
upon the stubs of the various books and other
memoranda.
il applies to the first class, and it remains Tor
YOU TO say if it shall proceed further, under
my direction, in the manner named IN the
second division.
/ had hoped to have every detail complete
before the termination of the official term OF
office of the late board, but found it impos-
sible to do so, in consequence OF the large
volume of work which found 1t necessary TO
examine and the desire TO do tull JusIlce TO
the city and the officer in charge OF the Treas
ury.
Herewith present you with the facts as re-
CARDS the Irregularities which have been
called to the attention OF the CITY treasurer
and for which. so far as / am aware, no sat-
isfactory explanation has been gwen.
\.
In the matter of discounts for the prompt
payment of real estate. personals and stock in
trade taxes, / find the following amounts
taken in excess of what should have been