Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1902-12-17
ThF CITY FINANCES.

THF CITY FINANCES.
Over eight months ago, upon the eve
of the last city election, the editor of
The TRIBUNE charged that the sum-
mary of the financial statement of the
city for the year closing Mar. 20 was
deceiving; that in place of the city
having 81, 1888 So as balance of re-
ceipts over expenditures as the finance
committee reported, it in reality was
short many thousands.
The charge was ridiculed by the Or
gan of the city administration, which,
for want of figures to refute our state
mcnts, pointed to the high character of
OF the men who had charge Of the f.
nances as sufficient proof that we were
wrong.
The TRIBUNE editor harbors no per-
sonal i'll will or feeling towards any
one. If in stating facts which the pub
lie should know regarding the admin
istration of public affairs any individ-
ual be indicted with gross carelessness
or intention to deceive the public, we
certainly are not to blame.
A majority of new aldermen were
elected last April, and they promised
to speedily investigate the city finan-
ces, find the exact standing OF the city
and cause the same to be published.
They started out bravely. The pub
lie was pleased that the truth would
soon be known.
An excellent man was selected for
city auditor, Nels S. Swenson, the dep
uty register of deeds. he is an expert
accountant and a conscientious man
of honor. He labored diligently for q
fortnight or more. He is said to have
encountered discouraging difficulties
in getting at the true state of affairs.
On May rs he made statement to the
council of the condition May /, as far
as he had been able to ascertain. A
few days later he resigned from the
position.
The council began looking for anoth-
or city auditor-and are still looking,
seven months later. Many have
been approached but none seem to
care for the place. Meanwhile the
auditors statement was not published,
but the quarterly statement appeared
regularly, doubtless prepared by the
city clerk. The Office of city auditor
was superfluous, quite.
In the last issue Of the Official organ,
however, q close reader Of the council
proceedings will be rewarded by the
statement ':City Auditor Swenson
filed the following report" and then
follows the statement tina. the past
auditor prepared last May.
We will confines our attention this
week to the summary of the assets and
liabilities Except bonds as found by
former Auditor swe, son, May J, 1902,
five weeks after the beginning OF the
fiscal year, as follows: ~.
.~s .%.= # LIABILITIES. Il.
Verified bills on file mot yet . q.
all0wed) observation-disclosures 039 90 s5g n
Miscellaneous bills and claims 219l 81
i Warrants outstanding .......... 4S8 IS
Interest on bonds to May 1..... 1856 O6 $l0O65 81
4 ASSETS.
Cash on hand ION deposit) ..S1a67 81
1 Electric light rents delinquent s==s
previous to April 1......,.... 652 oe 4.
Electric light rentsuncollected
for April, 1902 ...... ba2 81
i Water rents delinquent. ....... 1900
lUncollected bills for electric n .a.,l
supplies etcs /. =. $50 IS 1852
Total Debit Balance -. 3ee60 i
The above is.a complete vindicatiol
Of the position taken 81 THE TR1BuNl
st the last election. Besides the ol,
bills and contracted debts which hi
q
been paid between the dates 81 the @
Inual statement and the auditor's state
/ [ment, amounting g q. 64s. q, the sud