The Indianapolis journal., 1896-07-28
A HAUGHVILLE DISGRACE.
INVESTIGATION OF DEMOCRATIC Of
FICIALs' ACCOUNTS COMPLETED.
Marshal Thsrp Failed to Turn in Col
IectiOns-GraveI Contract Scandal
How Figures Were Juggled.

About three weeks ago an article iu the
Journal called attention TO the rottenness
that existed in the management of the
financial affairs OF the town of Haughville
by the Democratic ,own officials during the
two years prior to the election and organ
ization of the present board Some of the
citizens were not satisfied with the finan-
cial report for the year ending April, 1895.
and an investigation committee, on which
are a trustee and an ex-trustee, began a
systematic and thorough investigation of
the condition of the towns financial af-
fairs. and after much painstaking and diff
ficult labor have at last finished their work
and have drawn up complete and final re-
port OF the financial affairs of the town as
they found them. This report they will
have printed and show all receipts and ex-
penditures in itemized form. in order to let
the taxpayers of the suburb see just what
is the financial condition of the town.
The committees report will show that in
blind efforts to legisIate the board has
piled up an enormous debt for the tax
payers TO cancel, and 1t appears if they
were trying to bankrupt the town instead
of being benefit to it. Some of the old
members of the board did everything they
possibly could TO discourage the committee
in its investigation, instead of assisting it
as good citizens should.
AS stated before in the Journal, the COM
mttee found that Marshal Tharp had not
paid one cent into the treasury for impound-
ing stock, when so per cent of such receipts
belong TO the town. From statements
made by people who had paid various
amounts to the marshal for the release of
their stock he had collected $76 and there
is no record that shows that he has paid
any part of these collections into the towns
treasury. The eight statements given be-
low are of the general totals shown by the
statements of the committee, and were
drawn from the statements compiled 10y
the committee.
The committee calls the attention of the
taxpayers of the suburb TO the c)Taara-
tive statements of 1894 and 1896. which
April T. 1894. to be $2,2i9.63 over and above
the outstanding warrants, while the
amount of outstanding orders over and
above the amount in the treasury July /,
1886. is So.Sl3.2l. The road-fund statement
shows that road work has been paid for
out of the general fund, when such pay
ments should have been made out of the
road fund: also, that fire bills have been
paid out OF the general fund, when such
bills should have paid out of the fire sink
ing fund. The boards report of last spring
the committees report shows that the
amount of available funds on hand at that
time was only s39S.47 The board had paid
hre-fund warrants out of the general fund,
thereby increasing the amount of it's fire
sinking fund in the bank, SO that the
amount in bank would be large and show
up 10 the boards credit
THE GRAVEL SCANDAL,
According to the last years records, the
Town Board allowed $500 in payment for
an
cents load when one member of the
board says trat the verbal contract was
for % cents load. The board allowed
payment for 975 loads of gravel when the
number of checks given out were $50, ac-
cording to the checkman's statement and
according TO this statement they unjustly
allowed pay for 1875 loads of gravel which,
at 40 cents a load amounts to ST. And
$50 loads at 10 cents overpay amounts to
s1l7, making total of $l95 overpayment
allowed. according TO the statements of
the checkman and town trustee.
The records show 1882 allowed in full for
services TO Frank Edenharter, attorney.
but does not show the truth fully why this
amount was allowed. A contract has just
been entered into between attorney Eden
harter. who had already served year
as town attorney, and the board, by which
the board agreed 10 pay him $3.50 a month
for his services as town attorney for an
other year. Soon after this contract was
in force a difference arose between the
board and the attorney. and the board no
titled him that his services were no longer
required 1t is claimed by disinterested
| parties that the attorney had been doing
| but through petuiance the board became
| dissatisfied and appointed another attorney
| in his place and were obliged TO settle up
| with Edenharter to the amount of S1S2
When James Tharp was deputy marshal
| under Marshal Huddleson. from May 1894,
I to May 1898, he was allowed overpay to
81 % Il
| one-half months pay when only twelve
months pay was due him.
Jacob Russell met with the committee
| and agreed to accept their statement re-
| garding his error of Sl63.50 and has begun
TO make payments In order to correct his
shortage. Treasurer Forrest has corrected
| his error of $97, which, he says, was a
| clerical one.
! E. L. Moore one of the committee, was
Democratic member of the Town Board
| prior TO May, 1894 and 1t must be ac-
knowledged to his credit that when he was
| ousted the towns funds were in good
shape with s2,24s6S in the treasury over
! and above all indebtedness, while the
! towns indebtedness at the present time is
| $31, 1921.
The following eight reports, drawn by
the investigation committee. show the to.
tai amounts and will speak for themselves:
General Fund Report
| Expenditures:
/ Amount of outstanding orders
April T. 1894. ........................ 1896
! Amount of warrants issued to May
l. 1896, on account of officials sal
aries. - ........--.................. 4.S25.2s
! Amount of warrants issued on ac-
| count of other general expenses. 6.057.24
Total -. $40 9O2. /:
Receipts:
| Amount on hand April 4. 1s94...... 81, ,360 81
| Amount received from taxes........ 5.406.Sl
1 On account of miscellaneous re-
ceipts =. .......,................... 4,7sss1
| On account of stock laws.......... $500.
Total -. .$11 so. 81
| Amount subject to warrants. ....... 599 &C
Road Fun Report
| Expenditures:
Amount of warrants outstanding
April A. 1894 4........................... s35.2: