The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1899-07-19

please, a word concerning the Grand
Jury's report on the condition OF the
books in the Office OF the County Sill
perintendent of Education.
First. The present incumbent re
ported that |, being the predecessor,
left the books in an unfinished condi-
ton. This is true. He did not report.
however, that left $3.50 in the SUI
pervisor's office for him as compensa-
ton for the work left for him to do
I feel sure that an energetic man could
do that work in two days, three any
way. Mr.. Nicholson availed himself
of this money Feb. 23rd, and tells me
now he is satisfied with the compensa~
ton. I, therefore, fail to see why |
should be put in this light before the
Grand Jury.
Now, my reasons for not having the
books posted up to date of transfer.
The best of men make clerical errors.
found it more convenient to write up
the books after the rushing season OF
school business. Moreover. l could the
better correct any clerical errors made
in the haste of busy day with the
public. My predecessor, a good, faith
full officer, turned over the books to me
in the same unfinished condition. |
wrote them up without compensation
and without complaint to the Grand
Jury. suppose he had the same good
reasons. He and ] both were very
busy men during the school term.
Second. The day turned over the
books to my successor, | called his
attention to the discrepancies COM
planned of. I said to him: 81 will be
busy now, and you are not yet familiar
with the books. When YOU get ready
to take up the matter drop me a card
and will come over and give you the
benefit OF my knowledge OF entries"
have not yet heard from Mr.. Nichol-
son bearing on this subject. do not
understand why he should lead the
Grand Jury to believe the discrepancies
serious matter, when he did not
esteem it serious enough to ask light
of those who had information by which
every item might be verified. 1t will
all come right when the ex-Treasurcr
completes the transfer OF his books to
his successor. Had Mr.. Nicholson
known more about the books he would
have seen the matter in quite a differ
ent light. He is excusablc.
Third. The report says, Apparently
the County Superintendent would
draw a warrant against a certain dis
trict when he intended to draw it
against another" Further on it's CON.
clusion is that perhaps some districts
have lost by reason thereof Let us
remember that a County Snperinten.
dent never issues a warrant. | never
did. Trustees issue warrants. After
searching the whole years work MIR.
Nicholson found one claim for $40 OF
s12 bearing the wrong number. Whose
error was it9 If you look OH my book
you will find the correct number. The
trustee mistook his own number, and ]
failed to notice that he had placed
upon the warrant the wrong number.
One warrant, this out of more than a
thousand, and yet it is magnified until
the Grand Jury is led to fear that
perhaps some districts have lost by
reason thereof | would not notice
this, but some may fear their funds
have disappeared. Mr.. Nicholson, with
all his bright, quick ways, failed to see
that there was absolute protection i'll
the correct figure which stands on my
book. Verify, some of the fearful and
unbelieving may be alarmed.
Finally, let me assure the people OF
Anderson County that their school
funds are not in jeopardy. will take
pleasure in showing this to the Grand
Jury's committee, and they must see it
Before the next term of Court.
Respectfully.
A. w. .ATTAwAf.