New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-09-15
THE TANGLE UNRAVELLED.
REPORT OF CAMDEN'S INVESTIGATING
COMMISSION MADE PUBLIC
SHORTAGES FOUND IN SEVERAL. DEPARTMENTS
BESIDES THE CITY TREAsURER's-TTIE
DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED.


BESIDES THE CITY TREAsURER's-TTIE
DIFFICULTIES ENCOUNTERED.
Camden. Sept Il (speciaD. The report Of the Com
mission which conducted the recent investigation
INTO the affairs of the city given out to-day. 1t
gives the result of the investigation in the Offices OF
City Clerk, Department OF Streets and Highways.
City Treasurer City Controller. Tax Receiver. City
Solicitor, Mayor and Board Of Education.
Up 10 December" the Commissioners say, "the
principal part OF our investigation had been turned
10 the various departments whose receipts finally
found their way to the Treasurer The final vouching
Of these made 1t necessary OF course, that
the books OF the Treasurer should be examined At
a session held November % the Treasurer was
called upon for various statements from his books.
His report to us later that It would require con-
siderable time 70 prepare such statements led TO an
examination OF some OF the books From this ex-
animation It appeared that the condition of the
Treasurer's books was not such either 10 enable
him to furnish any statement which could be thor
oughy relied upon accurate or be Of use In vouch-
ing the results in our examination in the other de-
partments arriving any proper conclusion as TO
the condition OF the Treasury of the city at period
during the five years then last past.
Further Investigation satisfied MS that the book
keeping denquences in the Treasurers office were so
serious 10 require an examination such as couid
be best and most economically made by skilled ac-
countants We thereupon made this state Of affairs
known to you and with your approval decided TO
call In the assistance OF such accountant Contrary
TO our expectations. the condition OF the books ana
accounts was such that 1t impossible for him TO
complete his task until early in the month OF May
az which time he submitted to report which Was
upon the day following It's reception by us lad before
you in brief but which IS now in fun appended 70
our report and which discoses not only statement
Of the deficiency in the Office OF the CITY breasnre'
but also full statement Of the condition Of the ac-
counts al the time he assumed charge together win
a full record OF the and omissions, ana de-
tailed statement OF such matters as sppeareI 10 nm
10 be worthy OF special mention.
This statement however, does not, and could not
under our directions 10 him. disclose the actual Py
steal condition Of the Office Inc VYuclg'S - ssi,
Ing bond coupons were so scatterrd anu ,,trd -,
preserved that amount Of time was trluliu ~
simply arranging them 50 mat careful eAaih'la'''l
might be made" IT, ,,.,,.or
Hustled received moneys which were not properly
credited also that he otherwise disresaried ilr ID"
Ii says: The only matter OF pubhc concern inIo.'
~ 9 h olS rc,cd NV The Tax Receiver had been
credited and accounted for that ali receipts hal
reached the City Treasurer. ana the record lhs''C
made complete. First, an examination vas ni.'s ~
determine whether or al taxes assessed upon rear
tsad'e ~ VIM ,sferred 20 he book and accounts Of
the delinquent Tax Collector TINS involved d com
parison Of about fifty tax duplicates win me ae.l-
quent records ms EVA nina ''re5 %v the
returns made The matter Of examination ~ me PC
sonal TAX accounts was Of necessity what su24-
Nciai II being simply a vouching the Tax Re
cever's books BY the books themselves. ~ oe' mo
Fl lnadyisable by reason of the fact that tas assess
mems of pergonal taxes are OF small individual
amounts 10 direct an examination by comparison
with the Assessors lists. and yOuching by the ini
vlduals assessed as the task would Oe almos; inter-
rnlnabie and consequently extremely expensive be
levng it present the results OF he eXanlna-
ion along the lines directed leaving the mourning o.
the greater expense subject for further direction by
yourself or action Of Others The reSu, Of he ~
animation made by the accountants l. embodied IN
their statement TO US which Is here'o annexed ana
marked Appendix 0" This exhibits. IN detail. errors
and omissions amounting in the aggregate 10
s., "a So . -
With reference 20 the charge that the 81 and s.
fees received by City Clerk Narney for Ming and r.
ceving liquor licenses should be paid into ne Ciiy
Treasury the Commissioners ind that official legally
entitled 10 s. He received s. fees FOR 10 licenses IN
1880 The Commissioners find that the city Clerk
has received S6s5 10 ia making the returns OF vital
statistics from August. 1852, up 10 February l' lS-
& $50 % more than he entitled 10 by law
The report IL made 70 the City Council ana VIII be
presenied 70 that body AZ its next meeting.