The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-04-04
SHERIFF WHELAN ANGRY. !.
He Objects to the Charges
Made by the State Board
of Examiners.
His Bills We're Not Excessive, but
Were for Actual Expenses
Incurred.
cerely yours ,

The announcement from Sacramento
that the State Board of Examiners, in pass
ing upon certain bills, had discovered a
mares nest in regard to exorbitant charges,
which had been made in sworn-to bills
turned in by the Sheriffs of different
counties, caused some feeling in Sheriff
Whelan's office yesterday. The Sheriff had
been mentioned among those whose bills
had been investigated and cut down.
1t was stated that in conveying six boys
to the Preston School of Industry from
this city the Sheriff's bill amounted to ST..
This was reduced to $72 so. Another charge
was $40 for conveying two insane patients
to the asylum at Napa, and this was cut
down to $50 80. The bill of SIS so for con-
veying f. T. Gagan to the Napa asylum
was chopped down to Sill so. In each o
these cases the Sheriff had sworn that the
bills were accurate accounts of expenses
incurred, and, according to the reports
from Sacramento, Whelan and other
Sheriffs who had turned in accounts which
were cut down are liable to prosecution for
perjury.
Sheriff Whelan was in an indignant
mood when spoken to yesterday regarding
these reports from the capital. He said:
Why, it is farcical to speak of prosecution in
connection with such matters. have not
turned in a bill that was not q legitimate one,
and DEFY Mr.. Pratt or any one else to point to
one single item that's not proper one In any
of my bills.
know for a fact that some of my deputies
have paid money out of their own pockets in
necessary cases, and have not included the
same in their expense bills. Take the case OF
the six boys who were conveyed to the Preston
School. The Board OF Examiners say that the
deputies left lone at o'clock in the morning
and should have arrived here at 4:l0 P. NJ.
Now, the train on which the deputies came
they did not reach here until after O'Clock.
They took their supper on the boat crossing
over, and the supper item is one to which the
Board of Examiners took exception.
To my mind the whole thing is paltry piece
of business. When 1t comes TO scaling our bills
for two or three dollars and crying out that
there is something crooked going on consider
that those engaged in the business might be
better employed.
Take the insanity cases to which they object
in the matter OF small items. They simply
want charged the railroad fare and bare meals
OH the road. l only wish one of the Board Of
Examiners had to take patient to the asylum
and undergo what our Deputy Gi-roy does.
Some of the patients have to be treated very
leniently in order that they may not get OBJ
streperous and create a scene. If they want
anything which their disordered fancy may
suggest to them it is better to get it for them
than to have scene and to cause the deputy
in charge more trouble. My deputy has told
me of many instances where he has purchased
little things out OF his own pocket to quiet
lunatic rather than arouse opposition with the
unfortunate and create a scene. All these
things should be taken into consideration, but
it is evident that Mr.. Pratt, the secretary, or
some one wants to pose as an economist, with
but very little ground upon which to stand. L
know my deputies have turned in honest re-
ports, and have sworn to them, and repeat,
that will stay with them. To talk of indict-
ment for perjury is the worst kind of twaddle.
In reality the expense account is not against
the State, but against some of my deputies,
who know have paid out money in many in
stances where no charge was made.