The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-04-24


The book of accounts which Ruff KEEP,
as purchasing agent could not be found by
the experts. and swerdfiger, his successor,
claims that IL has not been in the Office
since he assumed charge. The shortage
IN The purchasing agent fund was dis
covered from the vouchers. and they make
bad showing for Ruh. oae bill for one
half ton OF coal was raised to one and
one-hait tons, m aking difference Of sIi5o
Another bill for stationery from a local
firm was raised from $a75 TO STATS The
difference in this and similar cases made
nd good portion of his shortage OF over
81, 500 as purchasing agent.
During the progress of the exporting.
Ruff and the deputies and clerks who were
employed under him have been given
every opportunity to explain all the trans
actions which were the subjects of inves-
tigaiion. so that the statement made pre-
sents the shortage probably accurately.
The report concludes:
I'VE ind and do now report, that ths
system employed in the auditors Office is
imperfect in many particulars. though
many Improvements have been made dur.
ing the wear isaS
I'VE find but few bills or claims for sal.
AIRY warrants issued We have, though.
checked out all salary warrants, havin =
hfst satisfied ourselves that the payee was
really an employee.
I'VE recommend. therefore. tina. YOU in.
SYST upon the head of each department
presenting To you on the first day of each
month Tor your approval q list OF deputies
and clerks employed BY him. said list To
lie certified to by said officer under oath.
That YOU pass upon them, have them
entered IN your journal. so the auditor
for lis,
and not as now from nothing.
We rscomglend, too, that YOU set aside
one day IN each month for the inspection
and passing upon OF salary CLAIMS and all
current bills against the county: this will
save you time and annoyance, the public
unnecessary expense and allow the auditor
30 keep more perfect records We M ain
tain iaat you should pass upon monthly
every claim for salary ard that no warrant
should be issued without your approval.
except those issued upon the order O: ;hs
superior cour..
We condemn the system in vogue in
1891 and 1872 and continued hy your bod y
OF placing IN the hands OF the auditor. as
purchasing agent, sums Of money from
time TO time.
lit places him in the position Of being
able 70 favor privileged parties hv having
their bills IN cash. while Others less
favored. must De content with warrants
upon saH genera TUNA. ne system, v
believe. Was created Tor no soodspurpose
serves no good purpose and should be
abolished for several reasons. the princi-
pal one of which Is the one named ABOVE
1t opens the door 10 errors. fraud and
dishonesty and 10 takes the approval OF the
bulls paid out Of this fnnd out OF yoar
hands. II IS true that there are some items
of expense which must necessarily ee paid
in cash
TO provide for this. in doing AWAY with
the purchasing seents fund We sugges,
tia: yoE create contingent fund
by order of your board 10 the treas.
ucer lie can set aside specified susl from
time 10 tine upon WHICH Ase auditor can
issue BIS ssFrants As the aud to-. BY
lsw. can nos issue . warrant lercept those
upon the order OF the superior court,
RttAouf your order. ia fellows, therefore
shat every claim or biz 10 5e paid nust
first 30 examined and approved by vog
and entered upon the minutes 81 year
board
This being done. the a. 4itor issues the
warrant. snd IL Is PAID by the treasurer on
demand. The objects and benefits 10 &c
gained ara obvious. 4ae board 81 county
cara naisssoaeFs have then every lite. -
expenditure aaeeE sAs4r persona. iaspec.