The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1899-04-15
AN ANSWER TO Mr.. c. II. BLUM.

-"
letter Of Mr.. c, H. Blum, asking
for information on certain Leyee
Board matters, would call forth
an answer, presumably from Mr.
Kellner, the expert whose exam
nation of the books of the Board
discovered the conditions which
provoked Mr.. Blum's questions.
1t Is probable that Mr.. kellner
failed to answer because DESTROYS
of eschewing public print or poll
tics. At the same time The TINES
feels it to be its duty, as public
organ, to respond to the Legitimate
inquiry of its correspondent, who
is an important taxpayer, and who
represents the sentiment of many
others.
The TINES is reliably informed
that the pertinent facts brought to
Lightly the investigation by eX-
perts are as follows;
Mr.. +. W. Anderson was first
employed during the spring of
1897 to write up and overhaul
the Treasurers books. He report
ed them correct and the Board so
approved the report.
Mr.. KeIlner was employed in.
March. 1898, to examine the books
of the Secretary and Treasurer Of
the Board, and reported that the
said Treasurer was in arrears
$17O3.l9. This report was adopt !
ed by the Board The eXamina-
ton of the books by Mr.. kellner
and an assistant occupied ten
weeks, and was as thorough rs he !
was capable of making it with the
books placed at his disposal; but
was greatly hampcred by his fall
ure to get access to certain neces-
sary data. Mr. Kelner called at
tention to this difficulty, and rep
resented to the Board that the con
dition of the books was such that
it was impossible for him to say
that the errors discovered were
the only ones that had been made,
and that be had reason to believe |
that additional debts could be
verified if access could be had to
the said data. The Treasurer then
asked if he would make an exam
nation of all the books and ac-
counts, but stated that he (the
treasurer could not personally
pay for it. Mr.. Kellner declined
to make such examination at the
instance Of the Treasurer, being
informed by Mr.. Jayne, President
of the Board that the Board would
not pay for it, as it was to be made
at the instance and for the benefit
Of Major Montgomery.
An examination was made for
Major Montgomery by Capt. +. .
w. Anderson. and his report was
not in entire accord with that Of
Mr.. Kellner, he claiming that there
were three of the items reported
by Mr.. Kellner to be owing by
the Treasurer as erroneous, and
the Treasurer should receive 4,
credit for same, one Of 1868. Is,
one of S35O.OO, and one Of SlIO.12,
A committee was appointed by
the Board for the purpose Of rec
onciling the discrepancies between
the reports Of Mr. KeIiner and
Capt. Anderson, or ascertalning
which was correct. The point Of
difference was submitted to Mr..
Robertshaw. who decided in favor
Of the correctness Of Mr.. Kellners
report.
Mr.. Clark, a member Of the
Board and Captain Anderson
then submitted statement to Mr..
Robertshaw and Mr.. KelIner
which it was desired should be
in report to be signed
by them on the same evening,
that Major Montgomery
was entitled to u credit Of $4,000
which, it was claimed, Mr.. Kell-
ner. had overlooked, and which
grew out of transaction between
Major Montgomery and the OIL
,ers in charge of the government
work here. Upon an explanation
made to Mr.. Robertshaw by Capt.
Anderson and Mr. Clark, Mr..
Robertshaw, on a casual examina-
ion only was inclined TO believe
he clam correct, but upon having
lis attention called by Mr.. KeII-
er to some entries on the books 81