Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1897-12-15

| a great deal of comment was made by the old
board on the fact that 1 reported the over
| charges of Sheriff Waite, but did not examine
into the same matter under his predecessor
with the further charge that the reason therefor
| was political one, viz. that i, being a demo
crat and a partisan. was only looking for the
| shortcomings of republican officials. and con-
| sequently was prejudiced against Sheriff Waite
and the commissioners of Fergus county. Re-
plying thereto. my predecessor in the state ex-
aminer's Office for two years was not a demo-
crat. but a republican. and. further. it was his
duty, under the law, to examiue into the affairs
and accounts of all county officers once each
year, and. consequently. the affairs of Mr..
Waite's predecessor in the sheriff's Office were
matters for his investigation. not mine. and.
while on this score. there is no reason why if
you desire to. you should not yourselves go
back and ascertain the excessive allowances to
Mr.. Waite's predecessor and recover them if
you can.
Mr.. Perkins. the county recorder, has been
paying out of his own pocket cash for certaiu
incidental expenses of his Office, such as post
age, stamps, kilograms, etc, and deducting the
same each month from tbs fees earned in the
settlement with the county treasurer. Here
after it will be better plan to have the warrant
drawn for same instead of deducting from his
fee account.
In the matter of ledger accounts of warrants
outstanding, paid. etc. in the several county
funds:
In Fergus county no accounts had been
opened with the several county funds. There
should be ledger account with each of these
funds. showing. first the balance or amount
of warrants outstanding against the particular
funds. and then continuing each month or
quarter the amount of warrants drawn and paid
thereon; thereby the fund would be balanced
on short notice at any time and the exact finan-
cial condition of the county determined with
out any trouble. This system of accounts. /
think, has been opened by County Clerk Per-
kins since was in Lewistown.
OF the offices of coroner. superintendent of
schools. county attorney and public admins
traitor.
These Offices collect or handle little or no
public funds, hence no report.
Quite little controversy was had between
the commissioners and this Office concerning
the letting of the printing contract for this year
1t was my opinion at the time i made the ex-
animation. and is now. that the contract was let
to the highest bidder. However. gentlemen, i
think that the best interests of the county re-
Quire the letting of all contracts to the lowest
bidder, and believe it is a good. business-like
proposition for all boards of commissioners to
follow. The playing of favorites in such mat
tiers is not conducive to good county govern
ment or to the diminution of county debts.
Before dismissing herein the subject of
county printing This Office last March sent
notice to the honorable board of the final pro-
visions of section 42S3 of the Political Code.
This section provides. in substance. that all
books. records, ETC., used and bought by the
county should be made within the state. On
this score an opinion was gotten from the at
torney general, a copy of which was sent you.
Mr.. Vrooman informs me that he does not
make the books furnished the county. but buys
them outside of the state. Your attention is
called to the provisions of the law.
Respectfully submitted.
J.G. MORONY,
State Examiner.