The morning call., 1894-05-12

the obstruction was removed, served TO correct
the Auditors statement, the Tax Collectors
caShbooks, the extension OF taxes. aud also
served in the general elucldatlon OF the mysie-
ries
After obtaining the figures required in the
proofs they were compared with the assessment
books. and. If the proof was unsuccessful, then
ences occurred each page was subjected TO a
proof. All accounts were twice ADDED.
The appofti0ument oil all snort payments was
ascertained, as far as posslDle, Dy examining
the payments in cashb0Oks when the shortage
occurred and apporioned as ascertalned there
TO State or city or county
Tie result as shown by this investigation is
as follows:
Deficiency during the term of Thomas
surpus nIs6 urio: the term Of j. N. Block. "a 90
As there should be small surplus II all cash
for taxes is paid into the treasury, the above
shows a close accounting on the part OF Tax
Collector Block OF 81, ,335. GOO received.
recommend that the $4,000 now on special
deposit in the treasury be paid over to he
Treasurer as follows: 1914 So to the Stale,
and balance 10 the city and county.
In conclusion, / am pleased TO acknowledge
the receipt of every facility from Tax Collector
Block and his force TO make this Investigation
thorough, and, although he must De deeply IN
terested IN the result, yet all The efforts OF him
self and deputies nave Dten 10 ascertain only
the truth IN this matter.
The following figures snow the deficiency
in State and City taxes.
Collected by Thomas o'Brien last
term 1897 .............. l1iSoo 4 {
Collected by j. n, BLOCK first term
1898. zSuZ4 ia
Deficiencies during term of O'Brien:
State taxes (real estate) )....... ......$2.6s9 59
State taxes (personal property. 49,. AL 80
City and County taxes (reai estate)..... $50 62
City ana County taxes (personal prop
erty) ...s'.....'''..'... lo1f o5
Total. .......................$5,83 83s IA
hn h..n l.z
shortages beyond the shadow of doubt,
but his proof constitutes mass of figures.
For his long job he only gets $500. but he
deserves the reputation of success where
so many others failed.
Pettee's report was Immediately con-
sidered by the Finance Committee when it
was received. The document had been ex-
pected. The committees session was Sc
cret, but at the conclusion Chairman
James said that the committee had not
determined what positive action should be
taken.
"For myself" be said, 81 think that we
will have 10 call ON Mr.. O'Brien to make
good this shortage and explain matters
generally. If the guilty parties can be
discovered they should be prosecuted TO
the bitter end. Bu the city should not
lose this money. [ think the Finance Com
mittee acted wisely in spending what it
did TO discover this business. We VIII de-
eide on the proper course TO pursue to-
morrow morning."
Tax Collector Block was we'll pleased at
the exoneraton OF his administration from
any blame in the matter, although he felt
positive after the books had been gone
over that the shortage could not possibly
have taken place during his term.
Tax Collector Block and the Supervisors
all stoutlv uphold the honesty of eX-Tak
Collector O'BrieD, and attribute the de-
ficiencies TO his misplaced confidence in
some OF his subordinates.
Ex-Tax Collector O'Brien's bondsmen
are Captain !. W. Lees, Chief of Police
Crowley and G. P. H0taling, each in the
sum of $4,000.