The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1895-10-31
DISCOVERY
49, ---
OF THE SHORTAGE.
1t Was Entirely Due to Auditor
LoichOt's Ability.
The Importance of That Office
Not Realized.
Practically the Watch Dog OF
the Treasury.


Present Incumbent-The Striking
Necessity of Capable Man For the
Next Term-Higb Endorsem ments.
There arc comp arativcly few tax-pay-
ers, who, when they go to the polls to
vote for an auditor know how important
Is the ballot cast, how closely their own
personal interests are allied, or In what
scales the candidate should be weighed
before the ballot is cast. In some OF the
county Offices there Is less responsibility
than In others. Few taxpayers know
the duties of a county auditor, or have
an intelligent conception of the almost
unlimited amount OF work that Is to be
done. 1t might be well to give brief
insight into the business of the Office, for
she purpose of giving the voter an oppor-
tunity OF measuring the candidates as to
their competency and fitness.
Important as the auditors Office is at
all times, 1t will be imiRently more i'm
portant during the term OF the man elect
ed this fall, and too much stress cannot
be laid on that fact. Every ten years,
according to state law, the real estate
in the county is reappraised. 1t is essen
tial that this appraisement be properly
done, and to
DoIT PROPERLY
there must be proper groundwork pre-
pared. II will be the duty of the auditor
elect at the coming election 20 prepare
the books of every land appraiser in the
county for the new appraisement. 1t Is
OF the utmost Importance that the work
be done properly, and by some one who
knows how to do It; no novice can pre-
pare the groundwork for this Important
feature of the public business. 1t will
affect every individual tax payer in Stark
county and will not affect him in favor
able way unless care Is exercised, and
by an auditor who knows what he is
about A thorough familiarity with the
work in the auditors office Is positively
necessary, else there will be endless con-
fusion and annoyance to taxpayers neces-
stating trips to the county seat, and even
then great trouble in discovering where
the mistake has been made. The way to
avoid complications is TO vote for man
who has been weighed and has not been
found wanting, who has proven himself
10 be competent and painstaking in every
branch of the work in the auditors office
AN IMMENSE VOLUME OF WORK.
A million dollars is large sum of
money but the auditor Of Stark county
has to keep strict account of that sum
each year; the collections amounting to
about 81, 900, 900 in round numbers.
Some idea Of the advisability Of having a
tried and true servant of the people In the
auditors office may be recognized at once
when it is stated that Of that Immense
sum over 100000 is disbursed by the
auditor. The question of responsibility
is a stupendous one. An auditor for such
~, Il D.,
ally string man, hoEest capable, dill
gent always at his post, and always sober
and with clear head. He must be
strictly an honest man. There are many
avenues of speculation open for the dis.
honest man In the auditors office He Ii
the clerk of the county commissioners,
and must make and keep a correct and
COMPREHENSIVE RECORD
Of their doings and a careful supervision
Of all funds controlled by them. He IL
also called upon to keep all accounts Of the
infrmary directors, the workbouse t"us'
tees, the children's home trustees, and
officials of other institutions directly OF
in part under the control of the county.
All of the receipts and disbursements In
these separate funds go through his
hands, in fact, nearly every interest OF
ID INC CuIt
of the auditor. His Office is the gateway
to the treasury. He keeps the books. The
treasurer must account for the money.
The auditor, as matter Of fact, is tht
only guardian of the public money, He
Is the only protection tine county has
from the incompetency or dishonesty Of
a county treasurer. Besides the NOR,
weighty department Of the work, there
are hundreds of small items to take intC
consideration.
WELL EQUIPPED.
The present auditor, Louis A. Loichot
was well equipped when he went into the
office. He had been given a liberal edu
cation. and was regarded as a finished ac
countant, n man Of ability and possessing
energy enough to preclude the necessity OF
placing absolute dependence on those
whom he called in TO assist him. He
tok hold OF the office in way that sooI
gave the people to know that he knew
what he was about. There were no en-
tanglement, but everything moved along
satisfactorily, the auditor giving the WORK
his personal attention and not permit
ting any department to lag. At a mo
ment's notice he was prepared to cal. the
treasurer TO an account for every cent Of
the peoples money. He combined hon
esty and efficiency with affabjlity so that
visit to the auditors Office was not tasl
but taxpayers met q oor.lil welcome ant
always got what information they wer