The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-02-23

We, the undersigned Audltors OF the COun-
~ OF Somerset in the Commonwealth Of
Pennsylvania, do certify that in pursuance Of
the eth section Of the Act entitled. An Act
Relating To Counties, Townships. etc. " passed
the 18th day OF April, 1891, We met at the seat
of justice in the county OF Somerset on the 81
day OF January. A. D., lSslS and after being
duly sworn, did audit, adjust and settle the
several accounts required by law. agrcesibly to
the several Acts OF Assembly, and the snppie-
ments thereto, according 10 the best of our
Judgment, ability and knowledge 49, 49, 49,
foregoing is a true anu correct statement Of
the following accounts respectively:
lst. William Winters. Esq. Treasurer Of
the County Of Somerset with the said County
I'd. Henry F. Barron. Esq. Prothonotary
and CLERK ofthe Courts OF the County OF Som
erset with the said County OF Somerset.
Sd. Martin II Hartzell, ESD Sheriff of the
County Of Somerset with the said County Of
Somerset
9Th George F. KimmeiI, County Commits
sioner Of the County OF Somerset with the
said County # Somerset.
5ih. Gabriel Good, County Commissioner
of the County of Somerset with the said Coun-
ty of Somerset.
9Th. L. A. Kretchmnn. County Commis-
sioner OF the County o. Somerset with the
said County OF Somerset
All for the year ending January~3. ISlS.
And we further certify that we find Q bal
ance due the County Treasurer, William Win
ters, E-q., OF nine thousand. forty-seyen dol
lars and fifty-siX cents, 81 0l7.i6
We further certify that each OF said officers
named above We're duly summoned to appear
before the Auditors, and they did appear be-
fore us and produced their books vouchers
Orders. bills and papers, etc.
IL TESTIMONY MHEREOF. we have her,un-
10 set our hands and aiiixed our seals, this fth
day Of February. A. y ISIS
Is J. BOWMAN, TSEAIl
PETER SIPE. SEAL
JEREMIAH RHOADS, SEAL
A J. HILEMAN,
Clerk.
Before concluding our report, we deem
it our duty 10 interpOse objections to the
system Of bookkeeping praciiced in the
office of the County Commissioners.
whereby large sums Of the county funds
are carelessly, If not illegally, drawn
from the county treasury. IL is manifestly
the duty of the commissioners of the
county TO draw orders on the county
treasury for every cent expended, and
not to withdraw funds from the treasury
upon the mere presentation of bills or ac-
counts stamped Approved by the Coun-
ty Commissioners" We are Of the Opin-
ion that the practice has resulted in great
injustice in the past, and it is unnecessary
to point out the fearful consequences il
may have in store for the tax payers ofthe
county If longer continued.
Objection is interpOsed to issuing orders
from two or three different sources, which
of itself must be regarded as unsafe busi-
ness methods. as well as confusing To
those charged with auditing the same.
Objection is interposed to issuing cOun-
ty orders bearing interest, which we be-
lieve has been done without warrant of
law and to the prejudice Of the taxpayers
of the county.
Objection is inteTpOsed to the manner
in which the minute book, in the Office
of the County Commissioners, is kep.. IL
is farcieal and unbusinesslike to make
minute of the fact that the commission
ers met on Monday and adjourned on
Saturday. without giving the names of
the commissioners present, and a full ac-
count of the public business transacted
by them each day they were in session.
Serious objection Is interpOsed TO issu-
ing orders on the county treasury for
services rendered by county commission
ers aud their employees before the same
have been furnished. as it is against pub
lie policy and without warrant Of law.
Objection is interpOsed TO drawing war
rants upon the county treasury upon Dre-
sentation Of unitemized bills.
Objection is interposed 10 letting public
contracts IN secret without public notice.
as we believe Il u be prejudieial 10 the
best interests Of the taxpayers.
Objection Is interposec to the granting
of rebates npOl taxes properly and legal |
ly assessed. without due notice, as the ]
same iswithout warrant Of law. and can
only be done in the interest of favored !
parties
And we further certify and find that ]
there IS q balance due the County Of SOM |
eTset from ex-CouDty Commissioner
Henry +. Barnett and s. L. Shoter o
500 %. amount disallowed on order No
'I59 of 1896. and was issued in part paw
ment for metallic file cases for the Pro-
thonotary's Office. IL has not been made
to appear that there was any public necs s.
Siiy for such extravagaBt expenditure OF
County funds at thai time; whereas Il