The record-union., 1893-02-09
TEMPEST IN A TEAPOT.
The HuIIabaIoo About "Looting" the
Clerks Office.
Mr.. Rhoads Explains How the Stove
the Typewriter and Stamps 'sDis-
appeared''-Trl1ing Affair.

At yesterdays session of the Board of
Supervisors ex-County Clerk Rhoads ap-
peared before the board and stated that
Clerk Hamilton had SAID at the last ses-
sion that certain articles belonging to the
county were missing from the Office
vacated by him (Rhoadsl. If anybody
said that anything had been taken from
his Office, with his knowledge and con-
sent, it was absolutely untrue. He had
himself, during his term, missed various
articles of his own personal property and
even the desks of some of the Supervis-
ors had been raided. He referred in
severe terms to the present County Clerk.
He said he had himself sealed up the
Grand Jury ballots and placed them in
their proper place, and that they had
been seen since he had turned over the
Office.
Chairman Morrison stated that what
ever was in the Office belonging to the
county should have been turned over to
Mr.. Rhoads' successor, or a report made
explaining why they were absent. The
lamps that were lent should have been re-
turned.
supervisor Todd explained that some
OF the statements complained of were
made by him and not by Hamilton.
Hamilton stated that a typewriter was
asked for, and he was told that there was
one belonging TO and paid for by the
county. II was found in the Office of W. .
j. Davis, and was restored.
Rhoads explained that it was taken to
Davis office 1or use in murder case.
Hamilton then spoke of two automatic
enumerating stamps which had disap-
peared and could not be found. He had
found Mr.. McCracken had had one in his
possession, and demanded it, and B. b.
Brown informed him that McCracken
claimed to have returned them to Rhoads'
Office. A Russlan-leather pock etbook
which was used for wills and kept in the
safe was also missing, he said, as well as
various other articles, which are not to be
found. He had never said that Mr..
Rhoads took any of these things, but had
simply reported that they were missing,
as 1t was his duty to do. He had no en-
nifty against Rhoads in doing so, but did
not want TO be held responsible for any,
thing which he did not receive
RhOads said; that some of the things
missed he had never seen during his
term OF office. One of the enumerating
machines was in his Office almost up TO
time he surrendered it. He was certain
that no one in his Office had taken any
thing. The coal-oil stove had been lent
To the Worlds Fair exhibit at the Pavil-
ION, Where IL was taken by u. 4. McM ul-
len.
Supervisor Jenkins said that it was
daily the case that things were missing
outside of the county offices, and it was
impossible to trace them. His desk had
been opened and things taken out. The
man who took away the stove is a man
who is well known and respected
IN the county, and whom no
one would suspect of stealing it,
1t was taken for use at the Pavilion,
and returned after using it. for the COM
fort of the ladies who were getting up the
Worlds Fair exhibit. When things are
taken, and we do not know who takes
them, it is difficult to recover them.
Chairman Morrison said that when
things are taken from public Office the
custodian of them is responsible, and
they should be renHrned or accounted for
by him. If City Assessor Buckley has
borrowed the enumerating machine and
given his receipt for it, he must return it,
If Rhoads loaned these things, he should
keep track of them, and see that they
were returned.
Rhoads said they were loaned to other
Offices for county or city purposes, and it
was customary when an officer was
short of such things and needed them, he
borrowed of another.
Supervisor Miller said that articles.
both in public and private life often dis
appeared and turned up again in the
course of time.
The Chairman stated that the affair was
in the hands of the committee, and MIR.
Rhoads said that he would lend them all
the assistance in his power in tracing the
lew missing articles.