The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-09-28
THEY MUST BE REDUCED.
The Accounts of the Official
Closely SCrutiniZed by
the Examiners.
THE WAR AT THE CAPITOL
Fitzgerald VIII Protest the Payment
of Salaries for EQualizers'
Clerks.

SACRAMENTO, CAL, Sept. 27.-The
State Board of Examiners met this after
noon. audited and passed sundry monthly
bills. and again examined the accounts of
Sheriff Whelan of San Francisco, as that
official again presented bills which the
board deemed extravagant. The board
persists in its avowed intention not to ap-
prove the She-iff's accounts until they are
reduced to a reasonable basis.
There are nearly $4,000 worth of claims
from this official alone in the hands of the
board, and number of Sheriff's claims
have also been laid upon the table because
the necessary vouchers failed to accom-
pany them in accordance with the resolu-
tion passed by the board on June IA. This
has been amended to read as follows:
RESOLVED, That all boards, commissions, Off
GERS and agents in the State presenting claims
against the State to the State Board OF Examin-
ers for approval. said claims shall be itemized,
giving dates and amounts, stating specifically
the services rendered and having attached
to them receipts for all sums paid for travelling
and other expenses, including hotel bills,
hack hire, postage, expressage, freight, ETC.,
except railroad fare paid within this State or
when the sum paid on any OF the above items
is 81 or less. Claims presented without these
vouchers attached will be returned.
The claim of L. Wadham in the sum of
500 for exporting the books of the State
Mining Bureau for the fiscal year ending
June 3d. 1895, was rejected on the ground
that it was not allowed by law.
When the claims of the Yosemite Valley
Commission were considered it was found
that, with the exception of one member,
no charge had been made for railroad
fares, and it was remarked by members Of
the Board of Examiners that it would
seem that the majority of the Commits
gioners were evidently riding on passes, in
direct contradiction to the law.
During the session, the Attorney General
remarked that he had noticed what had
been said about the law compelling him to
reside at the seat of government. The
same law had at one time compelled the
Supreme Court to reside at the same place,
but it had subsequently been annulled
and he claimed that as chief officer of that
court, he was required to be in instant at
tendance.
He also claimed that he fully understood
the reason of those remarks, and regretted
it. He would continue to perform his
duties regardless of comment.
"All claims" said the Attorney-General,
s'have to be considered in accordance with
the provisions of the law, and if illegal
will not be allowed. The claim of the
State Board of Equalization for extra
clerical force will never be allowed by me.
It may have been saving to the State,
and probably was, but it is not in my
opinion allowable by law, and Mr.. More
house has assuredly no right to feel
aggrieved in the matter, as he must most
assuredly know the law in the case"
According TO decision rendered to-day
by Attorney General Fitzgerald, the duties
of Controller E. P. Colgan will be ma
terially increased should many non-resi-
dent heirs of supposed heirless estates
which have passed into the hands OF the
State put in an unexpected appearance and
demand restitution. At the session of the
Examiners Attorney ]. LIE Breton ap-
peared, and presented proofs of claimants
to the estate of Jean Martin, a Frenchman
who died in Hornitos, Cal, on November
6, 1891, presumably without heirs.
1t seems, however, that brother and
sister of the deceased residing in Switzer-
land, having lately been informed of his
demise, have forwarded a quantity of
affidavits, attested to before Justice and
the United States Minister at that place
tending to prove that they are legally
entitled to the estate, which amounts to
$7766.
After listening to the argument of the
attorney Attorney General Fitzgerald in
formed Mr.. LIE Breton that he must pre-
sent the proofs to the State Controller and
obtain his written opinion as to their
legality and the board will then pass
upon the matter. He quoted as authority
on the subject section 1405 of the Civil
Code, which provides that in the case of
a claim in the matter of inherited estates
by nonresident foreigner or his legal
representative proof to the satisfaction of
Controller and Treasurer must be pro-
duced.