The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1897-08-31
COLLECTOR LOTT
WAS REMOVED
CONTINUED From First Page.)

which Mr.. Lott had instructed him to
deliver only to hlm-Lott. These books
there were four of thsm-Athe examiner
required Nprdmann TO deliver to him.
Two of the books showed collection Of
taxes prior to October Is 1896, which were
not due until after that data amounting
TO $4,62617. The larger part of these col
iections were never entered on the co.,
lecture cash book unasl after Aug. l. 1897
and -wsre rever reported nor accounted
for to that date. Some of these collec-
fions were transferred to other books,
and the time of collection stated several
months ahead.
In his subsequent Investigations the
examiner found like irregularities
amounting In all to $9,1S247.
Another of these Stub books showed
the collection of taxes in October 1895,
which hal never been entered on the cash
books and never paid into the state treas
ury. Another showed considerable sums
collected in February and in July, which
have never been accounted for.
On the evening of Aug. Is, Judge Pu-
rifoy. not having been furnished with
the list of unpaid taxes, summoned Nord-
MAIN and Cullen, two of the clerks, to
assist him in the preparation of SUCH a
list Thersupon the examiner was adj
yised that a search warrant for the books
had been served on Nordmann by the
Lofts The examiner however, took pos
session of them and retained them on
the orders of the governor.
Later in the day the examiner and the
sheriff received this following note from
Deputy Nordmanns daughter:
"Please send me a justice of the peace,
so | can take out a warrant for Willie,
Bob and Wilton Lott at once, as thsy are
guarding my house and l am in danger
of my life"
Judge Purfoy then had the sheriff sub
poena Deputy Nordmann to appear be-
fore him and deliver all papers and books
in his possession. Ths Lett boys then
came to the examiners office and de-
manded the books of the examiner, and
become peremptoIy and threatening in
their attitude toward him. They also
had Deputy Nordmann arrested for en-
bezzlement, because he failed to deliver
the books to them.
These facts the examiner recites in or
der to show the characler of distractions
he had to contend against.
Finally, THE hist of unpaid taxes was
compile. ed by by the examiner and his as
sistants. Instead of showing $4,000, as
showed, state tax unsettled, $699.1S; epe-
cial tax unsettled, $63.5S. Some of che
persons shown TO be delinquent by The
books Showed receipts for their taxes,
however, and cut the total down to
$562.76. 1t is believed that others will
be able to show receipts and will reduce
Ehe amount cdrlectalble to a mere nominal
sum-
The collector summoned numerous wit
a-d.~- ~, ToAfA 1.,1 n
practice of collecting large sums of tax
money in advance of the tax year and
before the collector had settled with the
state for the taxes of the year Before.
These witnesses, as a rule, were Wea Thy
people and large tax payers and tezlsifiad
to having paid their taxes in advance
because OF a, discount of per cent. or
more allowed them by the tax collector.
That testimony is made part of the eX-
aminer's report.
The examiner also took testimony from
the clerks in the Office, and from bank
officials, Showing that Mr.. Lott had been
in the habit of accepting notes for taxes.
He would discount the no;es and deposit
THE money to his account, but would not
report the tax as collected on the cash
book until frequently much later.
The examiner concludes his report with
a statemen. OF MIR. Lofts indebtedness
as shown by the books.
On the basis of no allowances for err
rors and insoivencies by the board of rev.
H.
liner makes this statement:
STATE tax DUE. -. ......... S13. 253. "a
opecfai STATE tax due... 1,204. 05
county tax DUE. -. ... -. %. Is. 291. 80
Scnoof tax nue... -..... 4,l37.99
FOL TAX due... ......... 5,556. 23
The following statement rs made on he
basis OF allowing proportionate amounts
for errors and insolvencies:
n
Specfal state tax DUE. -. -. 1,204 05
Courdy tax DUE. 80. -. ~ 1872 SO
ron TAX due... -. 5.556.00
Total. =. 49,. -. 49,. ss2 ga II
The examiner concludes by stating ust
he has not been able to get Mr.. Lott to his
office on account of the reported irdjs-
posi-. ion of that gentleman.
Assistant Examiner Cowan submitted
also detailed report as to the condi-
lions he found the office, which dos not
differ materially from that Of Chief Elk
aminer Purifoy His report, however.
contained the information that In his
opinion Lott had been behind in his set
tl=rnents for a long time and that he
had been in the habit of collecting taxes
IN advance to make up the shortage of
the preceding year and in this way kept
the true condition of affairs in his Office
secret. This information Mr.. Cowan
says he gathered from some of the larg-
est tax payers in the county.
AS an inducement to pay in advance
the face of the stub is written, Trans
ferred to book No. 90" or soma other
book. By reference found that 1t was
transferred again to some other book,
thus holding back services for months
and months
Quite number of notes are taksn for
taxes and almost Invariably these notes
are discounted by the banks. One of
the large tax payers gave his note for
taxes for the most liberal discounts were
made. He also believes that some OF
the taxes for 1897 have been in pursuance
to the old custom.
In conclusion the assistant says fur
Their:
In fact have seen several stubs which
show this to be fact. Some of the stub
books show that taxes have been paid
ON certain dates. Then occurs the year
1896 payable six months after date. which
makes it due Nov. / this year. He states
that this has been the custom for years