Daily Republican., 1884-08-07
Another Complied ion.

On Monday night the Water Com.
IN ission passed the payroll of the
Water Department, and also drew
checks to the amount Of 81, ,450 in favor
Of Chief Engineer McIntire, being his
back pay for the past year, but when
they and the payroll were presented to
Treasurer Shippers Wednesday morning
for his signature, he refused to approve
them, on the ground that his books
showed that an engineer had already
been paid for the past year, and that
he had no authority to sign checks for
the payment OF another.
In regard to the payroll the City
Treasurer contends that as he has
never received any official notification
Of the existence Of the Water Com
mission, he is not bound to recognize
1t.
Mr.. Shippers says that he will not
sign any checks drawn by the Commits
sion until he is assured by City Coun-
Gil that he and his sureties will not be
held responsible.
He afterwards addressed note to
City Solicitor Turner, asking his advice
in the matter. The City Treasurer
was called upon by Registrar Bond who
shove ed him that the Commission had
funds TO its credit in the Union Nation
al Bank more than sufficient to meet
| the checks, but he refused TO Sign them
until he had the written opinion of the
City Solicitor. Chief Engineer Mcin
tire endeavored to induce him to sign
the checks for the payroll, but he re.
fused, and Colonel McIntire threatened
that unles they were approved by :
loclock on Wednesday, he would apply
i q L..r rl,o all fnv ma rlu a
compel him to sign them.
MIR. Simpers also consulted President
Porter, of the Water Commission. In
.. reference to the matter who indorseC
his actions as the best course to pursue
under the circumstances. Chief En-
gineer McIntre, In company witt
George Fl. T.. Simmons, visited tn
Treasurer's Office about 2.30 o'clock TO
the purpose of making formal de
mand for the signing of the check TO
!. the payroll, but when the chief wa
|. Uniformed that Mr.. Porter had been con
suited and approved the action Of tn
Treasurer he did not further press tn
= matter. Register Bond has certificat
y Of deposit in bank Of $1,936.30 to tn
4 credit of the Water Commission, bu
Treasurer Shippers, not having been pre-
i, viously apprised of the fact, said b
could not sign the checks unless Cit
- Council so directed. The question wa
!. discussed at length during the aftel
II noon by the several parties interestet
20 but the Treasurer remained firm to u
- last, much to the chagrin of Chief Nj
" Intire, who had no doubt thought, el
!. this, that his long sought for position
:. under the new order of things, is not
bed of roses, while he cannot be "boss.
During the afternoon several OF tn
employees of the department came a
e, ter their money but had to return hon
without 1t.
20 Last evening the City Treasurer hel
a. consultation with the Finance Cor
70 mittee of City Council, when 1t W;
=, agreed that he should sign checks
y. y. tar as the special deposit to the cred
~ of the Water Commission should pc
~ init. This will necessitate the openiI
ofa o new set of books, which will
20 done at once, and the checks will pro
~ ~ ably be signed to-day.
30 City Solicitor Turner submitted q
.. o. following opinion last evening to t
"' Treasurer
To MILTON S. SHIPPERS, City Tre
no surer.-DEAR SIR: In reference
L your duties as city Treasurer under t
- act creating the Board Of Water Col
% missioners for the city of Wilmingt
and other purposes, would say tn
- yon must act with reference to sa
~ board and make entries therein Of 9
!. W moneys and of all distributions ma
~ ~ by said board placed in bank to t
-, credit of said board, countersign I
w warrants or checks for tho payne
no of moneys and receive receipts in
proper book FROM all persons to who
order such checks or warrants shall
:, drawn, and report at stated occasio
IL to the board of the amount in bank
IA its credit. In all cases l would advi
ng you to pursue the same course as If y
Oh were dealing with the City Council
relation to the current fund of the cit
're The accounts of the board are, as y
ng understand, entirely distinct from
general funds Of the city and must
"a, kept 80.
n, Yours, etc, HENRY G. TURNER,
Y, City Solicitor