Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-11-06
Total. =. .sl9.OlI O Total. =. s19,Oll {

Mr. Maxwell, as the expert account
ant of the committee, took the balance
sheet, and called for the books OF the
City Clerk, wherein the Collector
is Charged with the gross sum as shown
by the books of the City Assessor, as is
requi ed by ordinance. In going over
the books and making comparisons, 1t
was found that the Collector was only
charged with sos, SIS. 03, whereas he had
charged himself in his statement with
S95, SAP. SO, a difference of SGT 35, and
there was corresponding difference in
the ten cent levy. Mr.. Maxwell asked
for an explanation Of this excess, aud
was informed by Mr.. Myles that there
were errors in the footings in the Asses
sor's books, which he had found and cor
rected, the revised footings emitting
the city to more money.
Mr.. Maxwell then raised the point
that the Collector, 10 making up his
statement, ought to have taken the
Assessors footings as they stood, so
that the footings would agree with the
charges on the books of the City Clerk,
and then have added on the credit side
an item covering the errors In the foot
ingS, so that the matter might show
itself on its face.
Mr.. Myles admitted that he might
have done that, but he had added the
error to the amount shown on the face
of the Assessors books, and had fully
accounted for every penny. The COM
mttee understood the matter, and all
that need be done was to make an
other entry in the Clerks book, by or
der Of the committee, adding the error
to the original charge. If that was
done, the statement and the book would
balance, and there would be no further
trouble.
Mr.. Maxwell and the members of the
committee admitted this, but insisted
that there was but one right way to do
the thing, and In the course OF the dis
cussion, which was not as good natured
as it might have been, Mr.. Myles con-
strued some Of the remarks made by
Mr.. Maxwell as rejecting upon him. Mr.
Maxwell and others OF the committe dis
claimed any such intention, and Mr..
Maxwell was at pains TO say that he had
been misunderstood, but the matter
had gone too far to be thus patched up,
and finally the Com mittee adopted res
olution requesting the Collector to make
out new balance sheet, showing the
error.
MIR. Myles took this to mean that he
must go all over the Assessors books
again and hunt up and tabulate the err
rors, and said he wouldn't do it, not for
five hundred dollars
at 81 L.,
those books, with my assistants, and
have made the exact allowance for the
errors in the footingS in my statement.
The result is larger total than the City
Clerk has charged me with, and have
accounted for the money. I wouldn't
certainly turn in more money than /
was required to, IL didn't know it was
all right. / won't 60 over those books
again"
Mr.. Maxwell again explained to Mr..
Myles that he had no intention Of re-
flecting upon him. He had only at
tempted to do what he considered to be
his duty but now he would step aside,
and let the remainder OF the committee
go over the statement as they pleased.
As he said this, Mr.. Maxwell vacated his
chair. and showed symptoms Of leaving
the room.
Several members insisted on Mr.. Max
wells going on, and there was renewal
of the attempt to explain the misunder-
standing, but the committee having
adopted the resolution requiring new
statement, adjourned in the midst of the
discussion.
Ny Myles then said:
Gentlemen, have made true state
ment, correct in every particular, and
won't make any other. Whenefer the
Finance Committee wants me again they
can send for me, for I'll never again at
tempt to call this committee together"
Mr.. Myles then left the room, taking
his papers with him. He placed the
books in the vault Of the Water Board,
in whose Office he has had temporary
desk room for several weeks, sprung
the combination, and closed up the Office.
While he was absent the Committee
fell to discussing the situation again,
and finally 1t reconvened, and sent for
Mr.. Myles. When that gentleman APP
peared, be said his books were locked
up in the vault, ne did not have the
combination and could not get at them
that night, and taking his coat lie left.
Nothing remained for the members OF
the Committee but TO again adjourn, and
| this was done. after an informal and
very ger eral discussion, without NAM
1 n anct her dav fur n NICOTINE