The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-03-22
ANACC0UNTANT NEEDED.
NECESSIfTr or ENININING THE
BOOKS or CRY OFFTCIsIS.
What the Recent investigation Has Deve.
oped-The Peoples Interests Must he Pio-
tectcd-Opinions of Citizens on This Impor-
fauf Subject

oped-The Peoples Interests Must be Pio-
tectcd-Opinions of Citizens on This Impor-
tant Subject
The examination of the City Treasures
books. now in progress, is bringing 10 light
condition of municipal affairs at once sur
pr.sng and deplorable
Though the accounts are straight. their in
spection by Mr.. Boudar, the expert book
keeper. shows the people of Richmond that
some of their other trusted officials have been
rather careless in keeping their books.
The investigation has already caused the
removal Of one city officer. and 1t clearly de
mOnstrates how necessary II Is that there
should be some accomplished accountant EN-
ployed 10y the Council, whose duty It would
be. without favor or prejudice, to examine at
ms discretion or at stated periods annually
or semi-aunualy -the books and accounts Of
the various offices Of the city government.
A resolution with this end in view was in
troduced in the Council by Mr. Higgins when
lie was a member Of that body, but 1t was re-
ferred 20 a committee, and there for some
reason died. 4 TIMES reporter spoke 10
several citizens about the matter yesterday.
and one Of the first WAS Mr.. John SHELTON
Williams. who spoke without hesitation.
Il think. said he, some one should GER
tainly examine the books Of every city oifi-
cial It's needed especially iL Richmond.
for one party has been ia power long time.
Here's a clipping from the Greenyille -.
c. News which expresses my opinion exactly"
The clipping reads rs follows. There is no
way of getting around the fact that Southern
Democratic State treasures have made bad
record.
Louisiana. Alabama Maryland. Arkansas
and now Delaware have had deiaulters IN that
responsible position.
The latest development is in Delaware.
whore il is found that tim box supposed 10
contain $500. 900 of securities belonging to the
State has been empty nobody knows how
long. each treasurer having taken 1t on faith
from his predecessor
1.-The cause Of the trouble is not far t. seek.
In every State It is the same long contih-
uance Of one party in power-pOltlcal stagna-
tiOn- causing careles-ucsS. loose business
methods. and then the fatal little dipping into
trust funds with the belief that tic. deficiency
can be covered long before change brings
danger OF real Investigation.
Nothing is so good for official purity as
lively agitation and keeping always before
officials the prospect Of having their acts and
account, looked into 10y their opponents.
1t keeps them To- the mark and prevents
c1relcssncsS. which IS IN four cases oi hNe the
cause # defalcation.
1T dsturbs the easy-gong official methods
into which men naturally fall after long and
undsturbed continuance N place, and that
beautiful but dangerous confidence with
which lnvcs lgatlng committees accept the
statements and figures Of the persons being
investigated. and give clean bills OF health
without looking into a book or calling for a
voucher
THE CHIEFS IDEAS.
II hardly draw salary enough" said Chief
Of-POlicc Poe. ITO express an opinion on such
matters. Int think 1t would bee q good idea.
Il don't think there Is a necessity 70 keep
Il. al. I hot Int
the Mayor should be empowered 10 appoint
some one from time 10 time TO examine the
books of city officials as ne sees iit."
BY ALL MEANS.
A prominent citizen who does not wish his
name used said that he tn Iught such an ac-
coultant should be employed by all means,
and he thought the officials should never
know when their books were TO be examined.
BUSINESS MIN.
Quite a number of business men who were
seen did not desire 20 express an opinion for
various reasons. However. they thought
that the Mayor Of this city had the right at
any time 10 inspect the books and accounts of
the several officials in the municipal govern
ment.
Mr. b. NJ. Quarles expressed himself in this
manner. II think We have men now whose
business il is 10 do this.
The Mayor is at the head Of the city
officials. and the Auditor is check Tor the
Treasurer.
There are other officials who are expected
10 check some of their colleagues.
The business and the duties OF municipal
officials are ve-v much like those Of employees
o. "a bank. where a man might steal a little for
a while. but he will surely be found out.
The municipal government IN tins city Is
So arranged that if the proper returns are
made as required there can be no such thing
as defIauding the city.
should q particular man be appointed
public accountant NE would be Just as apt 10
become corrupt rs any other public servant
II think therefore that we have ample pro-
lection In our present Mayor, who Is one OF
the most honest and straightforward officials
and who will take prompt action whenever
ANYTHING wrong in the city government Is
brought 20 his attention"
CITY rEEAsURER's WINS
Mr. John X. Childrey said: such an eX-
pert ought 70 keep matters straight, and if
the right man was gotten II would preclude
more than ever the possibility Of any wrong
doing
Mr.. BATES.
Mr. Frank Bates: II think it would be a
good thing. The ordinance gives the Mayor
the power. but If an expert were appointed
whose sole business was the examining Of
books. / don't ,hink any one would have cause
10 complain
MR.. CURTIS.
Mr. W. II. Curtis Il think the idea a
splendid one-capita BY such move every
body would be placed above suspicion. |
believe it would be an incentive 10 keep the
municipal books in apple-pie order"
Mr.. REINOLDs.
Mr. Robert Reynolds: The scheme meets
with my approval
such a man should be elected by the
Council, and and have access TO the books at
any and all times
COUNCILMAN cAPERs.
Major j. II. Capers "On snap Judgment,
| think it would be an admirable idea.
Il have not thought Of the subject. but it
seems 10 me that there IS no reason why 1t
would not be of benefit 10 all concerned"
Mr.. TURPIN.
Mr. w. NJ Turpin: II do not think there
is work enough to employ man the whole
vear bit M such times as the MaYor decllns |