Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1891-12-08
Proceedings of the County Commits

Proceedings Of the County Commits
sioners.
Meeting Nov. 20, 1891, 20 80 a. m.
The hoard met pursuant to call. Pres
emit. B. Mayo, chairman, Commission
ers Juan Garcia and Max. Frost, Clerl
Ignatio Lopez, Sheriff G. NJ. Conkin
District Attorney r. E. Twitchell.
The minutes of the board of the meet
ng of September 80, 1891, were read anC
approved.
Mr.. w. B. Twitchell, the expert ap
pointed by the board to examine th
sheriff. and collectors accounts present
ed his report which which was read, &C
cepted and ordered spread upon the min
utes.
Hon. Max. Frost, member OF the board OF coun
| ty commissioners, Santa Fe, N NJ.
SANTA FE, N. NJ, Nov. |, 1891 Sir
| | have the honor herewith to submit tC
you balance sheet showing the condition
of the accounts of Francisco Chaves, ex
sheriff and ex-oficio collector of the taxes
of the county of Santa Fe. This state
ment has been prepared from very care
full examination OF all the records at my
ulbpODut, UllO5C iCCoIuD DCilR VIC ItC6iDle
| from the county treasurer and territorial
treasurer to Mr.. Chaves for taxes and
licenses paid to said treasurers, on file in
the office OF the county clerk, as required
by law the books of the county treasurer
and his stubs of receipts; the books of the
territorial treasurer and his stubs OF
receipts given and the tax rolls in
the office of the sheriff and ex-officio
collector for the years 1885 to 1890
inclusive, as well as the delinquent
tax rolls turned over to Sheriff Chaves
for the years 1881, 1882, 1888 and 1884.
These tax rolls were kept by the sheriff and
his deputy and the amount collected by
Sheriff Chaves during his administration
of the office is marked upon these tax
rolls. These several amounts have been
footed up by me for each OF the above
mentioned years, as have also the amounts
appearing upon said rolls as delinquent.
In the statement | have charged Mr..
Chaves with the delinquent tax lists for
1881 to 1884 inclusive, the tax roll for
each Of the years 1885, 1856, 1887, 1888,
1889 and 1890, and the amount of the
licenses placed in his hands for collection
from the time he took possession of the
Office up to the date of his resignation
The said statement credits him with the
amount of cash paid into the county and
territorial treasury for taxes and licenses
the com omissions allowed him by law for
the collections of licenses and taxes, the
total amount of delinquent taxes, as ap-
pears from his own books for the years
1881 to 1890 inclusive, and credit of de-
auctions made by the board of county
commissioners, errors in footing up totals
partial payments of taxes by tax payers
and the amount of taxes sued for by the
district attorney, and settled and com
promized by that official and the auditor
OF the territory.
This statement shows the sheriff and
ex-ofiicio collector to be indebted to the
territory of New Mexico, after allowing
every possible credit, the sum of $l6,007.-
q and to the county of Santa Fe the sum
of $50, 270.73 total to both county and
territory of $46,280. had no opportuni-
ty of examining the stubs OF tax receipts
issued by Mr.. Chaves during his admin
istration, those stubs being in his hands
and not subject to my investigation. |
therefore have bad no opportunity to
compare these stubs with the amounts
appearing as paid upon his books and
can not say whether the stubs and the
books will tally or not. This fact, how
ever, can easily be demonstrated by Mr..
Chaves as he has the stubs and all OF the
remainder of the books of his office, ex-
cept those above mentioned.
The statement have made is correct
as appears from the books and if Mr..
Chaves has any other credits to be given
him, he can make them known to the
board of county county commissioners
which body can pass upon them.
The labor connected with this exami
nation has been extremely onerous owing
| to the very slip shod manner IN which
the books have been kept, not only those
of the sheriff but of every other county
official who has had anything to do with
the collection and holding of the county
funds. From the examination made by
me of the county books in the Office Of
the treasurer, county clerk and sheriff's
office, have to state that there is not q
single record up 10 the date OF the resigna
ton of Mr.. Chaves kept in business like
manner. The fact is that these records
are disgrace to any community and show
fearful disregard of the duties devoIying
upon public official, whose business it is
to collect and account for public funds
The official himself, even if he never mis-.
appropriated cent of the public funds
if called upon for a statement from books
ouch ss have been kept in the county Of
Santa Fe during the past six years would
have no protection whatever, if he relied
upon the books. The fact is there are nc
books, such as business men would de-
signate as such, and on this account, the
examination made by me, has been made
from stubs, receipts, vouchers and tax
rolls.
Pursuant to your instructions, have
made list and transcribed the same in {
book designated as the Delinquent Tax
Roll" OF all the delinquent tax payers O.
the county, as appears from Sheriff Cha
yes books, i. 9. the tax rolls. This delin
quent tax list shows the names, the
amounts, etc., due and credited to Chavei
as delinquent and also may be used to bt
delivered to the present sheriff and col
lector to whom it may be charged. Each
year is recapitulated, and there ia a reca
pitulation OF all the years. This book also
shows the several delinquent tax payer
against whom suits have been brought.
Respectfully submitted,