The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-10-11
WAKE COUNTY FINANCE. TAKE A LOOK
AT THE BOOKS"

was held in Wake county in May, Sc
rios Of resolutions were adopted declar-
ing that Wake county's affairs had been
so well managed by the Fusion Office
holders that saving of eleven thou
sand dollars in one year had been made.
This claim was made on the basis OF
statements furnished by j. j. Rogers,
Register of Deeds. and the Populists in
that convention believed that their
resolution spoke the truth. Again, in
the so-called PopuGst Hand Book, the
county government of Wake is held up
as an evidence of the good management
that prevails under Fusion. On page
6S under the head Reduction of Debt, !"
it says:
''In Wake there has been a reduc
ton from $4S.970.56 under Demo
cratic control in 1896 TO S37. S9469
under a cooperative board in 1897,
saving of $11,075.S7."
On page 81 the Hand Book, under the
head of Current Expenses" says:
Wake expended under a Demo
Critic DOdIu Ill ICDo Po-,J-i''I
against S27 ,S34S6 under co-opera
tive control in 1897. a saving of So
092.2S."
Here the people are gravely told that
the cooperative board reduced Wakes
county debt 81 ,075.S7 in one year, and
effected saving of SCOPES in current
expenses. Fusion orators all over the
State have quoted these false figures
and this false claim.
We knew at the time that it
was made that the claim of the
Fusionists was without foundation,
but not having access to all the
books, choose to let them go uncOrrected
until such time as the books could be
examined, and the truth be ascertained.
We publish elsewhere two letters from
Mr.. III. III. knight, county treasurer,
elected as Populist on the Fusion
ticket in 1894 and reelected in 1896.
which gives the truth. Mr. Knight
states ten important facts:
l. That the disbursements of Wake
county from December 1. 1896, to De-
cember /, 1897 amounted to $40 .990.T3
and not So. S34.S6, as certified to by
Register of Deeds j. j. Rogers.
2. That none of the county debt has
been paid except 5000 paid for building
bridges.
3. That the Fusion board has increas-
cd the county debt $4,000, borrowed
from the Commercial and Farmers
Bank.
4. That the county treasury is now out
of money.
). That the jury tickets for the last
term of court have not been paid.
q. That ''only few poor orders to
outside poor have been paid and these
dependents on the county cannot re-
ceive the money due.
{. That Wake county is behind two
months in paying the expenses of the
work house and poor house.
8. That there are outstanding unpaid
county orders to about 81 200 or 81 800.
8. That the costs Of the September
term of court have not been paid.
10. That none of the county bonds
have been paid.
These ten facts, which Mr.. Knight
furnishes from official records and data,
show that the statements in the Hand
Book about Wake county's finances are
as false as the other statements in that
Cyclopaedia of Lies. Mr.. Knight, who
furnishes this information at the solicit
tation of Mr.. w. G.. Stronach, the for
mer honest and capable chairman of
the board of county commissioners, is
the most highly esteemed and honored
Populist in Wake county. His word
will not he called in question. He has
not made any statement of his own az
cord, or sought to make political capital
for any party. AS public official, he
has merely given taxpayers the truth
about the condition of Wake county's
finances. He has received and disbursed
every dollar. and his books show, the
income and expenses of the county.
What will the taxpayers of Wake
county think of public officials who pub
lish to the world that they have effected
a saving of over 81 900 whereas they
have in fact increased the debt of the
county? Those who want honesty and
economy in the administration of affairs.
will vote Ito turn the rascals out and
take a look at the books"
We give emphasis to the false state
ments as to Wake county affairs be-
cause the big claim of reduction i'll
Wake is on all tours with the claims
made with reference to other counties.
The gang now in control, not
only increases the burdens of
the people and brings county
treasures to bankruptcy, but has
the effrontery in the face of such con-