Evening journal., 1898-09-17
CAROLINE'S FINANCER.
SINKING FUND OF THE COUNTY
IT NOT FOPT UP.


THE BONDED DEBT USED FOR
OTHER EXTGENCIES- STRIKING
EXAMPLE OF THE WAY PUBLIC
FIDUClARY AFFAIRS ARE SOME
TIMES MANAGED.
Denton, Nd, Sept. 17.-The report of
the county auditors. Edward Il. Goslin,
William Stevens and John f. Dawson,
for the past fiscal year has been print
cd and is now ready for distribution.
The recommendation contained there
in will be read with unusual interest
for the reason that the tax rate in
creases from year to year and the
Icounty's indebtednees likewise increases
The report shows that the indebted
ness, both bonded, and floating, now
reaches about $4,000, which is in
excess of that reported one year ago.
In th'slr supplementary remarks the
auditors commend the management Of
the county almshouse for the past year,
showing that with county appropria-
tion of $1,000, and the products Of the
farm, the running expenses of the in
stitution had been met and the indebt-
edness reduced to 81 500 This
would imply that the expenses
Of the institution, with economical adj
ministration, only exceed the amount
of farm produce sold by $500, whereas
it has been the custom of the county
commissioners to levy Annually from
81 500 to $500, and with this amount
the debt on the institution increased
until a year ago it was about $4,000.
The auditors also commend the adj
ministration Of the school boards fl
nances. "a year ago the boards liza
bihties exceeded its assets by $4,000
During the past year this has beer
paid and at the close of the past fsca
year the resources Of the board ex
ceedsd liabilities by 5000.
The attention of the county commits
sionens is called to the constantly in
creasing items of attorneys fees ant
sheriff's fees, each of which approx
mates closely to $4,000. They shov
where violations have been made, es
pecially in attorneys fees, wher
amounts have been allowed far in ex
cess Of the scheduled fees laid down b.
Judges Robinson, Stump and Wickss
r which schedule was signed by tn
court and given to the county commits
S sfoners for their guidance. The sched
e ule is printed in the report.
+ The commissioners are also reminde
y by comparative tables how muo
money has been levied for various pun
? pos,s each year and the amount e'
z pended showing that the expenditure
+ far exceed the levy and no mentio
.e made Of tbs same in The next levy TIL
l. perhaps is the secret Of the constant
increasing Indebtedness.
When Caroline county was put on
cash basis about the year 1880 by tf
e eale of $4,000 bonds, it was provids
l. that a sinking fund should be create
y for the redemption of bonds at a cs'
d tain time. Every year there was il
e cluded in the lsvy a thousand dollar
l. for this sinking fund and nearl
enough money was levied for this fun
If 10 NEST the indebtedness. The fact r
y manned, however, that the money w
le never actually set apart and the sinl
1t ing fund wss merely a name. III
ir money to meet the several excuses
10 amount expended over amount levi'
r for several items had to come fro
some source, and moneys intended al
3, l5vied for a sinking fund went to me
n. these new exigencies.
ly There is a growing sentiment tn
III every department Of public expen
CT should be kept separately and not q
lowed to exceed the amount levisd sp
" officially for it, Unlcss this be dor
e, the taxpayers cannot know exactly L
y, meaning of the items contained in t
j" annual statement, which have been
ey misleading approximation. Probably
Sc sister county much disturbed oy
ay where the proceeds from the sales
to county bonds have gene can trace it
3D. the same place where our sinking fu
nd for dempdon OF first bonds sold, h
a insidiously crept.
Ic- The plan of county auditors W
n shall carefully review me financ
nd statement Of each public treasur
compare vouchers, etc, ard who ha
cd the courage to make such recommend
an tons as their Investigations warra
&C. works admirably in Caroline cour
m and will he the means Of migrating
10 mora economical management OF
Thy uances in the various branches OF
countys government.
- The Thesbaw Saw'ba, one cf the pr
hoe nrrfrrf n In E'i