The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1900-09-26

and we think the matter should b.
called to the attention of the court.
We have examined the County
Superintendent of Education's cffioe
and find his books we'll posted and
accounts in first class condition.
So much has been said about the
chart fund and the unexpended ba'-
ance in the treasury belonging to the
school fund, we have made an exami-
nation of the matter and we find the
condition Of affairs as follow:
Funds in hand awaiting the final
disposition of the chart matter
S2,349 IS, and we find this matter
stands as follows:
The charts were purchased by the
different school boards all over the
county, with few exceptions, from
samples the agents carried around
with them; and pay certificates were
issued by them upon the County
Treasurer. The County Superinten
dent, upon the advice of the Attor-
ney General, and also that of his 10
cal attorneys, approved of the pay
certificates; but before they were
paid the State Superintendent made
an examination and found the charts
delivered not like sample and asked
the Attorney Generals advice upon
the matter. The Attorney General
investigated the matter and advised
refusal of payment. Upon this ad-
vice and the advice of the County
Superintendent attorneys, the Cum
ty Superintendent notified the Coun-
ty Treasurer at once not to pay the
claime, which instruction the Treas
urer obeyed, and the matter now rests
in this condition.
As to the unexpended balance in
the treasury to the credit of tie
school fund, we fnd that there is
an unexpended balance of S96219,
this, however, only belongs to certain
school districts which have not ex-
pended The entire amount appor-
toned to them, while others have ex-
pended every cent of their apportion-
ment.
We find that there is now in the
treasury S3,326 35, which has come
in and been apportioned amopg the
schools from the dispensary fund
since the 1st of June of this year,
and after the pubic schools were
closed, which will benefit the schools
for this next ensuing school tenn
There seems to be an impression
among the people that the public
schools will run much longer since
one-third of the 3 mill tax has been
abolished; but aftsr the coming school
term this will not be SO, for while the
one,third If the 3 mill tax will not
be reserved the Legislature, at the
last session, repealed the law appor-
tioning the dispensary fund among
the schools, which, for last year,
amounted to S., J,494 20 for this county
while the one third of the 3 mill tax
for the same year only amounted to
S3,368 95, consequently the schools
will Lot run, after the present dis
pensary fund now on hand has been
exhausted, any longer, if as long, as
when the one third If the 3 mill lax
was reserved.
We have examined the County Au,
ditor's cffice and find the Audit, r
well up with bis work and almost
ready for a settlement with tie
G C,mptroller General.
We are glad to fud that out of a
levy OF $ll,79l II taxes for equity
purp oses, there is only due on nul'a
bona executions $40 80, and even
this amount includes the Is per cent
penalty. We also fud the taxable
lroperty of the county has increased
since last year from S3,S6S,9j0 to
So 420,S15 for this year, making an
increase cf Sl11,S6
We 6nd that the Magistrates Of
the county, excepting Magistrates
Sweedenberg, Corley, Meetze and
Sightle,; also the other officers Of
county. excepting the Dispenser and
Clerk of Court, who collect county
funds, have failed to report such
fines and amounts collected and turn
ed over to the Treasurer, to the Au-
ditor so that he may charge them up
to the Treasurer; and we find that
the Auditor, to certain extent, has
been compelled to rely upon the