The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-01-29
EX-CLERK SPENCER EXPLAINS.
Balancing of Separate Accounts Delays
Transfer Of Funds to Gordon.


The slowness of w. 3. Spencer, ex-
county clerk, in turning over to Thomas
W. Gordon, his successor in office, certain
moneys of the county which he has in his
possession, has caused Some remark
among the courthouse officials, and SIR.
Spencer was asked to explain the cause of
the delay and to say when he expected to
make the transfer. In reply he said:
AT the time when decided not to carry the
matter OF the cierkship to the supreme court l
instructed my attorneys to make the best ar
engagements that they could with Mr.. Gordon
wit respect TO transferring and turning over
the affairs of the Office 10 him. thought. how
ever, that ii would be good plan for MI Cor
don to bring his employees TO the office
and /, together with my employees would
familiariZs Mr.. Gordon and his employes
with the routine and duties o! the Office
50 that there would be no hitch or delay in the
transaction or business or any inconvenience TO
the public. was later advised by my attorneys
that everything had been arranged satisfactor.>
lily. and that Mr.. Gordon would be up in the
morning. This took place OH the 18th, when
the order oil custer was signed by Judge Lang
ley Ii being unders, God that was to remain
in the office TO do the necessary checking in
making the transfer, which would occupy from
one 10 three weeks, was vsry much surprised
TO see the items in last evenings Press Times
ard this mornings Observation-Disclosures For
on the afternoon Of January % waen Mr.. Cor
con asked me if ] had no: some considerable
funds III my possession that desired to trans
fer to him told him yes, that there was quite
an amount in my possession. and that would
turn it over to him soon as could make
the necessary footings and show balances
due IN each case. so that he
might know how to apply the funds turned
over 10 him. At this he seemed somewhat sur
prlsed, saying that ought TO know how much
money mad on hand and turn il over to him in
lump sum. To this l demurred, saying that
could not possibly turn it over in that manner,
as it was my desire to turn it over to him as it
had been received by ne, so that he might be
able to apply il intelligentiy. He stated that he
did not think this would suit the county COM
missioners, whereupon l explained to him that
the funds due the county we're paid to the treas
urer and no. to him. The funds that ] had to
turn over to him wers those that had been de-
posted on account of fees to be earned in the
future by the county EN- pioyes, aud moneys de-
posted as tenders from the dfferent litigauts 10
be applied and disposed of as might be directed
by the court. OF these funds there had been
some considerable amounts used and disposed
OF and the balances that remained would have
10 be ascertained by footings aud by bringing
forward to his account This would necessarily
take some little time since there are some
15,0O0 cases subject to the receipt OF lees
ANA deposits ana payments by the clerk at any
and all times. Consequently the clerk is unable
to close any OF the accounts until alter the close
OF his last days business. Ieavi ng the whole of
the closing and balancing OF Ill these accounts
to be done then. i informed Mr.. Gordon, in my
talk with him, that it was my desire to get
through with the transfer az quickly as posi-
BILE, it was nothing TO me to delay: that, in
fact. was only wasting time in doing other
wise, ! being interested only in a correct and
complete transfer SO that everything might be
we'll and definitely understood. For this reason
l thought that every individual balance should
be shown and a receipt for the sum total of
them in statement should be given me for my
future protection.
With reference TO Expert Accountant Parsons
being in the county clerks office, some time
early in last December, I discovered that
some errors had been made by some
of my employees, aud l explained matters to
Auditor Twicheil and asked him TO allow Mr..
Parsons TO he employed in the checking up OF
my accounts, as desired to have everything in
good shape TO turn over at the expiration OF my
term, so that the county and all other persons
would be satisfied and there be no occasion for
any kick. To this Auditor Twchell acceded,
and seid that il was only Just to myself and the
county, since desired it, that my accounts be
checked. l sincerely trust that there viii be no
future delay or trouble in turning over the &C.
counts, as desire TO get rid OF the matter as
quickly a. possible, but l must consider myself
and my boudsmen in making this transfer.