The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-05-16

Mr.. Wade as a Contractors Agent
Synopsis of the Report.
Ogden. May 15.-The report of Ex-
pert W. J. Bateman was submitted to
the board of county commissioners yes
Terday afternoon, and is a REMARKABLY
clear and concise resume of the county
finances; especially interesting to every
citizen of Weber county. Mr.. Bateman
was simply commissioned to examine
the books and records and prepare a
comprehensive statement. He has done
so. using the facts and figures left
behind by the officers of last year. If
his report shows a discreditable state
of affairs and reflects against certain
eX-ofhcials, they are responsible. An
examination warranted the conclusion
that all is not right. Among other
things, over 200 of county money was
discovered as unaccounted for. About
$500 of this sum was returned by ex-
Clerk Ledwidge when his attention was
called to the matter. In all the report
seems to show that transactions
amounting TO nearly $1,000 need either
an explanation or refund by the ex-
clerk. Doubtless he viii explain or
refund, as he has shown disposition to
DE fair about the matter.
From the report it appears that
nearly $1,000 was not properly ac-
counted for by ex-Commissioner f. w.
Wade, part of which is for double sal
airy. Something over 500 appears
against Commissioner Child
The report shows lax methods of
bookkeeping and carelessness in the
handling Of public funds. The lack of
proper entries and other data has made
the experts task a particularly difficult
one. AS an evidence of the system in
vogue, the public is cited to the fact
that no warrants have been preserved;
in fact, were Systematically destroyed
a few days before the retirement of the
old board Of county commissioners.
Just why there should be such haste to
destroy these papers is not clear.
The report teens with evidences of
past Acknowledgement of county bust
ness and corroborates in countless ways
the charges of lavish expenditure and
illegal transactions made last fall by
The Herald and denied. but not refuted
by every other paper. The history of
the action resulting in the experts re-
port is familiar. The present county
commissioners, on taking office were
dissatisfied with the financial report
presented by the outgoing officers. 1t
did not at all give an Intelligent sum-
mary Of the financial status of the
county. They first invited the ex-com-
nlissioners and eX-auditcr to explain or
correct their report. The invitation
was ignored. The present board then
did the only thing left for ii under the
circumstances, ordered a new report.
Criticism has been heaped on them for
their eXtrava gance in this act. On this
L..
out that while Mr.. Bateman's services
viii cost only about $500. 5000 more than /
that sum has been returned already as
q result of errors discovered by him. |
The first part of the report is 2 finan- |
ciai statement. exclusive of bonded in /
debtedness of Weber county for the /
year 1894. The assets and liabilities are
itemized. The renOrt shows a surplus
of assets over liabilities Of S25,o34.79.
The report for 1895 shows that by the
end Of rat year the surplus assets
amounted only to S931.7S
BY another year this surplus had di-
ninshed TO a balance on the ether
side Of nearly $50. 600. as shown by the
following very interesting detailed
FINANCIAL STAT ENENT.
Showing condition for the year ending
December 81 1856 exclusive of bonded
ASSETS.
Amount estimated due from
Collector Hulburt for settlement
of 1856 taxes after allowing all
credits and deductinG trust
funds ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 2.929 Il
State warrants on band
No ls1. April %. Sc. .............. 705 90 (
so. 81. October H. '96............. 4S a
Balance due for 1895 and 1S96... 1852 80
5000 "a
So :; 2 s. s. J s2s q q
3aiance due on 1895 taxes -. 2 q
100 80
1. ls97. -;........$ 1121 80
for ices 10 December 81 1896 :
paid into County treasury aos 80 I
being Dronortion of salaries of
county attorney. treasurer and 2
assessor fo~ year endin~ De- c
cesnber 81. 1895. ..... 5OO m n
AMOUNT due from she-in's Office q
for fees for sly months ending
December 81. 1ss6................. 72S Al !.
Cash on hand with treasurer f
ieneral fund 3. 7sS 20 Il
Soad -uhd Recommendation. 176 90 q
zen fngd innd........ 10 81 e f
LIABILITIES. G
BIS PAYABLE Il
.ote favor Utah National bank.
dated December 81 1895. due De- a
cember 81 1896, interest s per Il
cent. $40 0o0 90
-ote. fa~or Wells Fargo &. Co.
dated June 6. 1896. due February
s. 1897. interest 8 per cent. Is 900 %
Tote. favor d. H. Peerv. dated D
july 3. 1896. due July 8 1897 in II
terest aer cent......... . 500 90
ote favor ID. II. Pecrv. dated e,
ADJUST 3. 1876. due August 8 +
1897 interest per cn-lr Z 600 ~ =
Gle favor j7tah NationaI I,anI, L
dated july .. 1875. due .Tanuarv a.
I 1885, interest per cent 1fO 600 90 n
lterest due an the above rotes fo
and unpaid on December. 81 1896 ]. 4yG 81 =
mount OF juror certificates in