The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-02-06
A SUMMARY OF BUSINESS
Auditor Davies Writes an Open
Letter to the Commissioners.
THEY GET SOME SLY HITS
How the ONCE Has Been Conducted
During the Last Year = The
County Poor Expenses While
Under His Charge.

County Auditor Davies yesterday
drafted an open letter to the count,
commissioners relating to recent mat
tiers of controversy between themselve:
and embodying a report of expenses fol
the maintenance of the county poor
while they were under his charge last
year. The letter is as follows:
'Gentlemen-This communication will
contain a summary of the business
done in this office in connection with the
care and maintenance of the county
poor for the year 1897. The same is
made comparative with the business OF
this office for the year 1885, and was
compiled originally for the information
and convenience of the auditor. Con
sidering, however that the taxpayers
twealth producers). are entitled to this
information and that the document
may contain some information of use
and value TO your honorable board as
well. and presuming possibly that you
may have been as ignorant of the fact
that the auditors office contained this
information. you We're evidently de-
sirous that the general public would be
led to believe il ignorant of many other
things, i have concluded that all par
ties concerned. as well as those public
officers not interested, may learn some
facts with reference to the manner in
which this office has been conducted for
abe past year although neither feel any
satisfaction in the results. You would
introduce certain reforms with regard
TO the administration of the affairs of
this office. Ordinarily such steps are
undertaken only after thorough inyesti-
CATION and where the necessities are
such as commend reforms to the con-
-i.nfatf rfsC ft..
formed mind. l am not aware the
source from which you We're Informed
that the auditor of this county could
give no information of the business of
his office that would enlighten the mind
of your honorable board, but suppose
in your estimate they were of sufficient
dignity and Importance as to Justify
you in adopting rules for its govern
ance without giving it any consulta-
ton. In view of the fact, however, that
the rules you have adopted in such
profound silence. and published with so
much sounding of brass, are in nearly
every instance rules which had preVi-
ously obtained in force and effect in the
ONCE, l cannot concur with you in the
nigh value you place upon the informa-
ton you received. nor allow of its all
sufflciency. nor is your course in thus
wantonly and uselessly eXpending your
time and talents a thing to be admired
by the student of economies, who must
deprecate such waste of energy pr APP
proved by the taxpayer, who must bear
the expense. That this may not again
occur. 1t would see desirable that YOU
become better acquainted with the
affairs of this office, and, considering
your disposition ON all previous occa-
sions to enfold yourselves in the cloak
of majesty, | have taken this course to |
convey the information considering II |
the only way one might penetrate the |
emily enVlrons of your aloof austerity, |
as II We're. and gain your attention
You have written to the merchants |
OF the town notifying them that their |
claims against the county must be pre-
scented IN an itemiZed form. This office |
did this same thing year ago. and has |
not failed to require its observance. /
endorse your attempt here, and trust
only that you will make Ii the univer-
sal rule to be everywhere applied.
nave endeavored 10 make the county
detective and the county superintendent
81 schools submit an itemized account
Df their expenses. The county superin-
tendent OF schools observed the re-
luirement with the result that her ex-
penses have never equaled the amount
ID the maximum allowance. The
county detective ignored it, and when
refused to allow his claim ii was or
lered paid by the court. ] now expect
- ENJOY the cooperation of the COM
Aiss7ANhfiS III liils matter OF the pX-
oense account of the county detective
Rule is, adopted by you for the conduct
i the Poor Farm. reads: All COM
paints or causes for complaints as To
ne management and conduct of the
county poor farm. or as Ia the treat
neni OF any OF the inmates therein,
snail be made To the county physician
r TO any member Of the board If
county commissioners When. in com
1ection with this, enc reads a portion
d rule 10. he finds a serious defect
Rule 10 requires the auditor 10 visit tho
'ooi Iafh al least twice a month and
INQUIRE into the condition of each in
mate. and if he finds the condition of
any such inmate or inmates to be such
nat they can or should be discharged
le shall recommend the discharge If
such person or persons to the county
physician, etc. Did you suppose rule
.. which prohibits the inmates from
.eporting complaints or causes for
complaint 70 the county auditor was
calculated to aid him in securing in
ormation when he made inquiry of
'uch inmate?
i would respectfully cali your at
enfpn TO section 4569 of the political
ode. which provides that the auditor
inoer the county commissioners. shall
nave general supervision of the county /
Door house or farm and ask if Yen
consider that sensible or intelligent
ha0a ~ tloh Oh the statute which ]
would make the auditor Can officer 1
elected by the people,. subordinate. or
second IN authority. To a party merely /
inder contract with the county, The
'hlce has received during the year sol
Implications for aid, as follows: Two
hundred and fourteen for rent. groce-
les or iuel, l79 for transportation: III
or medical attention, OF the number
IS applying for general aid 153 We're
iIdeu ana 81 refused. OF fha number /
applying for transportation, 119. IS re-
'elNed II and 81 We're refused To this
recount must be added nine other
'ehehciafles who We're inmates prev
'usIy OF the poor farm. and eight who
we're regularly receiving groceries. rent
ma Iuei. making l05 orders issueI for
transportation. OF the number appIy-
ny Tor medical attention. IS required
tfeEtion at the county hospital and =
merely the services Of the county phy-
lclan- There were 2l5 patients admit
I'd 10 the poor farm, the auditor, adj
=