The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1902-07-08
TO COLLECT THE
CLIFFORD DUPLICATE
School Board Moves to Proceed
Against the Tax Collectors Bonds
men for Full Amount Of Duplicate
Which School Board Statement
Shows Is $s,4oo-All Old Teachers
Elected.

Elected.
At the meeting Of the school board
asst night after ventilation of the
matter, the board decided to proceed to
the collection of the duplicate, amount
ing to several thousand dollars in the
hands Of Tax Collector Frank b. Cliff
ford. This means that the boards So
licitor Attorney Fl. c. Butler, is to Sc
cure "a settlement of the unreturned
duplicate of 1890, from Mr. Cliffords s
three sureties.
MIR. Clifford. himself. was present and
made brief statement. He explained
that he had $1,000 to collect, $1,000 he
has given to Alderman Jones for col
ection: $1,000 to Alderman Atkinson;
$4,000 to Alderman Bunnell, while he
kept $1,000 in his own hands.
He suggested that this was hard
time to collect taxes and begged for an
extension of time. finally suggesting
that if the board allowed him grace un-
til the expiration of his bond, which
would be next September, he felt cer-
tain that every cent would be paid over.
Il agree with you that this is hard
time to collect taxes said Mi. Cope
land, after Mr.. Clifford took his seat.
But you didn't seem 20 think of this
matter in the past. The taxpayers are
bowling, and this money ought to be
collected. l don't think that they
should suffer because this money has
not been collected
Its time this matter was brought
to head" followed Mr.. Evans. II
move, therefore, that we refer this to
the boards attorney for collection
from the collectors bondsmen."
Mr. Butler, the boards solicitor,
asked before the motion be put that
the board specify the amount that he
was expected to collect from the bonds
men Of Mr.. Clifford; the bondsmen
might want a few days in which to
meet this demand.
President kerwin made a suggestion
Of leniency towards Mr.. Clifford, if
such was possible.
I'VE have been too lenient in the past,
it seems to me-" sharply insisted Mr..
Copeland. THAT seems to be the
trouble. 1t would have been better for
the board, better for Mr.. Clifford and
better for everybody concerned, if this
course had been insisted on long ago"
Mr. Kerwin suggested that all the
collectors held their duplicates about
three years, though Mr.. Clifford held
his longer" Their bond was always
good" said Mr.. Kerwin.
Yes" broke in Mr.. Copeland, "but
the bond company didn't pay interest
as we are in this case"
Mr.. Nanaan expressed regret for Mr..
Clifford's inability to settle and said he
was willing to allow him thirty days
extension, making an amendment to
that effect which, however, was not
seconded.
Mr.. Hughes, who had thus far been
thoughtfully silent, entered into the
discussing saying with much earnest
ness: 'As man to man, / don't know
what to say or to do in this case. l am
willing to be lenient, if we can afford
to do so. But | am ready to do my
duty, whatever it may be, and without
any fear or hesitation. 1t must not be
said that we are fearful of doing our
duty or that we have not done it, for
], as one, stand ready to do what is
required of us. There Is no reason for
anything to be said to the contrary.
did expect that Mr.. Clifford would set
tie tonight as promised at the board
meeting of 4 few weeks ago, but since
this has not been realized, we must act
as the way is pointed out to u.s."
Mr.. Evans motion that the solicitor
proceed to collect the duplicate from
the bondsmen was not seconded up to