The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1898-07-28


Mention In Their Report Recent
Decisions Change The
Situation Now.
The examiners appointed by Judge
MoCsrty to review and report concern.
ing the annual report Of the county COM
missioners held their findings so long
that reports of sensations of various
sorts got out and gained some circula-
tion. The report was given to the pub.
lie this morning and is voluminous.
The examiners, Col. J. ]. Clark o.. Can
ton, Frank l.. Baldwin, Esq, of Mas
sillon and the prosecuting attorney, have
expended great deal of labor on the re-
port. Epitomized, the report shows that
the county treasurer received s947 900.
The folly of some of the laws governing
expenditures is referred to incidentally.
With reference to the conduct of the
county commissioners the report says:
"In the course Of our examination we
find that the commissioners, for many
years past, have not kept record of con-
tracts Of work which they may let below
amounts required by law to be adver-
tised. Their journal does not show the
letting of minor contracts. 1t has been
very difficult, we may say impossible,
to trace bills, allowed and paid, back to
the origin Of the work for which they
are rendered, and It is frequently i'm
possible to find out what certain jobs Of
work actually cost the county from the
records as they now appear. To illus
trate: Here is copy of bill rendered
and paid, the name of the contractor
being omitted by us;
November 13, 1895.
Stark County to - DR..
To arch and balance on two other
jobs in Osnaburg township. 81, 1883
1--WE tried to find out where the arch
belongs land how much for that and
how much for the Two other jobs, and
what they were and what they were to
cost and what had been paid on them.
Neither the books nor the commissioners
could aid US in determining this"
This and apother ambiguous bill are
referred to, the examiners say, "for the
purpose of showing the necessity of keep
ing a complete record"
The examiners say that all contracts
should be let by competitive bids. They
say that contract by competitive bid
was let in one instance at $500 per perch.
Later an additional thickness of one foot
was added, and the contractor got IS per
perch. Additions to contracts are also
complained of. 1t is recommended that
the commissioners order all supplies for
county offices.
In the clerks Office a matter Of keep
ing up and continuing the alphabetical
index of pending suits and living judg-
ments" has been charged for. The re-
port says that the clerk and his predeces-
sors cannot be blamed for having fallen
into the error, as these charges were
based on an opinion given some years
ago by the attorney general Of the state.
The report adds: "We are glad to say
that they have signified their entire will
ingness to reimburse the county for the
moneys improperly drawn as aforesaid"
1t is also reported that the county
auditor and his predecessor has charged
for making the report Of the county com
missioners. The examiners say the
statutes were obscure, but recent de,
clsion is that this cannot be charged for
The report ad ds that willingness TO re-
imburse has been freely signifed.
Coroners fees are also touched upon
with a view to asserting that more in
quests than necessary are held.
1t is recommended that no further rost
work be done by the workbouse trus
tees, but the report Father commends thar
oriticises the institution under its present
efficient management.
| A recommendation for revisionary
legislation concerning public printing Ii
made.
The report is signed by Atlee Pomerene
pr scouting att lrney, and by J. j. Clarl
and Frank l.. Baldwin.