The daily journal. (Salem, Or.) 1899-1903, 1901-05-16
EXAMINATION OF
SCHOOL LAND FUND
And Records Of the Land Department
Stopped Not UneompIeted.
Funds Nearly Exhausted and No Fur
ther Disclosures Were Being Made.

&C. Hockett, J. @. Hodson ard w.
A. Jones, the clerks appointed by thelas'
Legislature TO expert the books Of the
State Land Department, yesterday pres.
ented their report Of the condition Of the
books Of Gen. w. H. Odell, clerk for the
period between August l, 1895 and Dec q.
81, 1899. They had nearly completed
the examination Of present clerk, Hon.
NJ. L. Chamberiin, only needing TO check
the account Of the cash register with the
treasurer's receipts, but were not allow.
cd by Attorney General Blackburn TO
continue their work, being dismissed by
h,rn on receiving the report Of the mat
ters concerning the books Of Gen. Odell.
The legislature appropriated $1,000 for
the purpose Of exporting these accounts
and there is f55 Of this remaining unused
which could probably have allowed for
the completion Of the investigation Of
Mr.. Chamberlain's books.
The shortage Of S7l.30 in the accounts
Of Gen. Odell is explained by George G
Brown, who was assistant clerk at that
time, az having occurred during a short
absence Of himself from the office, when
@. w. Colvig paid the money and was
given a receipt by Gen. Odell. When
checking up the books Mr.. Brown saw
the receipt stub but the writing not be.
ing his own, did not chech it on the
book, and II not being accounted for,
was not paid the treasurer which leaves
the sum named still due the state, and
II will no doubt be promptly refunded
by General Odell when he lie officially
made aware Of the existing deficit.
Following is the final report;
We the undersigned Clerks appointed
under and in pursuance Of concurrent
resolution No. % OF the late session OF
the Legislature 10 futher investigate
matters connected with the state land
office, school funds, etc., beg leave 20
luther report at this time as follows
That we have carefully gone over the
books and accounts OF the clerk Of the
State Land DEPARTMENT Tor the period
Aug. lst, 1895 and ending
Dec. 3lst, 1899 and submit herewith
detailed statement OF our findings.
This IL a general summary OF the
entire period covering abOdt four and a
half years. As before we show each
Iund separately and receipts for same
On March, 1898, we find that receipt
No. 6l58 issued 10 G.. w. Colyig for
l7l 30 has been omitted from the cash
book aud hence not accounted 'or. This
amount IL still due the state from the
Clerk.
We find that during the third year Of
this period the Clerk has no receipt for
school fund interest, und hence the
school districts we're necessarily short
the amount collect, for the year, but,
Oi course, IL WAS finally made up.
With the single exception heretofore
noted We find that TIE Clerk holds re.
ceipts for all collections.
We find that during the month of
A ugust, 1899, tl07 .llS,6 we're collected
that during this entire period Tli,
8iB. 80 were collected, and not including
the t7l 30 heretofore noted.
That all receipts we're not noted on
lhe stub. This scoms 10 have been
practice handed down from each clerk
10 his successor In Office
Wish 10 call your attention 20 the fact
that the State Land Department
needs more room, Tho busiues Of the
office has grown immen.ely and iii
should be provided with larger vsult
and large room suitably lighted aud
ventilated.
The state has many valuable papers
in the department and necessary steps
should be taken toprotect them
Assuming this task with sonse OF
the responsibility resting upon us We
have used our utmost endeav0rs - do
Dur work thoroughly, honestly aud !
'airly. We know our figures TO be- cor |
rect and In accordance with the facts. !
II our recommendation were com. }
piled with little chance would be left for
nannlnI lnnn III nnu Lln.I nnI H.. L..l.r.nI. |