The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1898-04-06
OBJECTIONS STAND.
Accused Commissioners Msks No Defense
Against AuaitorA' Charges.
CONTEMPT Foa THE PUBLIC.


Two fun months have passed since the
auditors filed their annual report Of the
receipts and expenditures Of the county.
The report in some respects was the most
notable ever presented for the considera-
tiOn Of the taxpayers.
In It were embodied STRUCTURES reflect
ing upon the official conduct and lnan-
agement of those sworn honestly and
economically 10 conduc; public affairs
that few guiltless officials would permit
to go unanswered for so long time.
The auditors found that county funds
have been earelessiy, II not Illegally,
Withdrawn from the treasury; they found
that county orders have been issued from
two or three sources: that orders bearing
interest have been issued, which they be-
lieve was done without warrant of law,
and 10 the prejudice of the taxpayers !;
that the minute-b book kept by the CON-
missioners is farce, inasmuch as it fails
to set forth the public work performed by
the officers in that office; that officials
were paid for services rendered the county
before the same were furnished; that or
ders were isued upon presentation of un-
itemized bills; that contracts have been
secretly let to the prejudice OF the people
that rebates were uniawfully granted on
taxes legally assessed that public furni-
ture was disposed Of for which no return
was made TO the county; that the records
were juggled in order TO deceive the aud
itors and taxpayers; that unnecessary
furniture was provided for public offices
at an extravsgant price, and that money
received for the county 10y the commits
sioners was not turned into the county
treasury.
The above are serious reflections TO cast
upon the official integrity of gentlemen
who we're elevated to Office upon the de-
eeitful cry of reform but they must be
accepted by the taxpayers of the county
as indisputable facts. so long as they re-
main unanswered and unchallenged.
If the allegations of the sworn officials
charged with auditing the accounts of the
county are false and untrue, the commits
sioners, whom the public hold response
bic for the abuses complained of. are not
as jealous of their honor and integrity as
are most men under similar circumstan-
ces, for up to this hour they have not en-
tered single denial of the charges pre-
ferred.
The manner in which certain officials
have met the issue forced upon them has
been highly discreditable, and unworthy
Of men charged with the conduct of pub
lie affairs. A grossly libelous and unau-
tborized attack on the personal ch lracter
of their accusers was published, and after
it recoiled upon the heads of the mali
cious authors, efforts have been made to
cloud the issue by published reflections
upon the character Of disinterested par
ties, but up to this hour not a single one
of the charges brought by the auditors in
their official capacity has been authorita-
lively denied
Why this long silence upon the part of
those who have been elevated TO office
upon the plea that they were reform
ers," and, having previously served as
county commissioners, were better pre-
pared TO secure economical management
of public affairs than others? Are the
allegations made by the auditors all true,
and are the accused officials afraid to have
the lid lifted for fear that it will expose
them to the public in their proper light?
Public officials, wrougfully accused
of mismanagement and other offenses
against public policy, as rule are not
50 slow in setting themselves straight
f.a hs. H,.
them with their votes.
The issue forced by the auditors can
not be clOuded from the eyes of the
public by the fatuons plea of Messrs.
ShOber and Kimmell that under their
administration in the commissioners
office taxation was systematically re-
dueed," whereas every taxpayer in the
county knows from personal experience
that local taxation mas advanced or re-
mained stationary on depreciating real
estate, and they also know that county
expenditures reached their highest ebb
during the hard times of 1896.
The HERALD has pointed out the road
to be followed by the taxpayers, espe-
cially by those who have recently allied
themselves with the State organization
known as the Taxpayers Union,' in
order TO bring about a reform in this i'm
portant public office, and TO convince the
residents of the county that their protest
atIons of honest and economical admin
istration of public affairs is sincere, and
not blind 10 accomplish selfish pur-
poses. Will the "Unionists'' follow it, or
will they exert their best efforts to cover
up the sins of their political partners and
leave the county treasury oper to be pill
laged by those who have blsely deceived
the people?