Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-07-15
THE DERELICTI0NS.
REPORT ON CONDITION OF PRINCE
GEORGE CLERKS OFFICE.
coras-so~s of the Clerks Omis-
sions-Dissenting Report.
fsp.c,al ,.l,g,am 10 The pispatch.l

vac Dulg heN'FA""
George s. Bernard. Richard d. Gillian.
and @. II. II. 1insley, the committee ap-
pointed TO examine the books OF III. G.
Br,tton. late the Clerk of Prince George
county. submitted their report on Thurs
day last (courtday).
Tho committee reports that the fee
books sre IN proper condition. but they
cannot say the tame of Deadlock No. %.
Several Of it's pages bave been lost and
many are loose" Moreover. there are only
three deed books IN the oftice. covering
the period between 1892 and the beginning
OF the war, and containing the DEEDS al.
united TO record within that perioa. Al
OF the other decide relating 10 that
period we're lost or destroyed during th.
war. At the close Of the war number OF
books not IN the Office were subsequently,
restored. and the old book containing
deeds from 1113 to 1923 was Ia ONO ana
was returned to the office from that state.
EsAsUBEs
As TO the manner in which the books
were kept bv Clerk Britton. the COMMITTEE
alleges tho following In seVerai deed
books admitted 70 record during the IN
cumpency OF the late Clerk there are many
interliucauons aud erasures which mar the
appearance Of the records IN these deed
books. IL one of these books part OF
prluted deed is pasted TO the pages instead
OF beng recorded" The other papers IN
tho Office. however. according. TO the re-
port, appear TO be IN Roou conu'''on
and properly preserved
DEKELIcrIoSs.
The committee also note the following
specific derslctions OF duty on tue part OF
tho ClsTk:
!. Failure to index properly the fducihry
bond books.
2. Recording the conviction Of eager
Mason IN pencil.
3. Failing to index properly the book OF
inventories. sppralsements, ana accounts
current.
4 In docketing writings provided for by
the act of February IS, 1880. amending
section 2462 Of the Code IN the judgment
lien docket instead Of IN book required
to be kept for that purpose.
.. In falling 10 index properly qualitca-
tiont OF tiduciuries.
4. In issuing licenses for the marriage OF
persons under the age OF u without the
consent of parent or guardian OF the minor
given IN the manner prescribed by sect0h
22is OF the Code and the act Of Assembly
amendat0ry thereof.
7. In failing 10 index IN the general III
dex books W lis recorded by him.
) In failing to record accounts current
requirod 10 be recorded uAder section 26jl
OF the Code y,
g In falling to enter in the records of
the Board OF Supervisors the statement
required by section S47 of The Code.
10. In failing to keep the book required
By the fourth subsection OF secuon b49 OF
tho Code, and in not recording therein the
statement required by this section.
RECOMMENDATIONS.
The committee make q number Of re-
concentrations, principal among which
are
pointed whose duty 1t shall be 20 make
general index 10 certain deed-booke that
are not indexed IN general index book.
That Volume |. OF the surveyors books
covering the perlod from III to l7l3
should ue rebound aud indexed.
That some action should be taken by
the Court TO preserve the records OF the
County Court bv making the Clerks once
6rt-proof. The county hiss experienced
enc destruction OF Its records, and its peo-
ple fully appreciate tho evil consequences
OF such loss
In the matter Of Interlinestions and
erasures the committee deem 1t Just to
state that all Of the former clerks Of the
court have set an example, the old
at records in the Office showing that tins
practice obtained Rs far back as l1l3. but
nowhere 20 as great an extent as during
the past SIX years.
DISSENTING REPORT.
Mr.. George s. Bernard. one Of the COM
mltteemen, submitted supplemental re-
mort. dissenting 10 some particulars from
Inc report He thinks II should be stated
that IN pasting, as set forth in the report,
a part OF a printed deed upon the pages of
a deed-book instead OF entering the mat
ter 80 pasted with pen and INK in the
usuai manner. and as was entered tLeresi-
due of snid deed (which was a mortgage
executed by the Norfolk and Western
Railroad Company on the Isl day of June.
1888 securing bonds 20 the amount Of
s. COS .0O0) the late Clerk followed the eX-
ample set him by some OF the most
accomplished clerks in the Comm on
wealth. if such recoTdat on Of deed be
irregular and Illegal. The wrltingrefefred
to he fods recorded IN the same manner
in he ~ Of Petersburg, where it was adj
mite TO record on the 10th OF June, 1858,
by the Clerk of the CORPORATION Court.
Mr. Bernard hal reason 10 believe that
Ike recor1stiou of the came instrument
was made in all the counties and corpora
tions Of the Commonwealth wheron
salu railroad company has branch
or other property, and that thlS
fact will appear upon examination.
Mr.. Bernard deems II just to state further
that IN no act of omission or commission
mentioned in SAID report did there appear
any evidence OF bad faith or wllful viola
ton Of anv statute regulating the duties
of A clerk. nor has there been any suGges-
ton Of any bad faith or wlliul neglect OF
duty.