The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-10-28

Ifany thing was needed to prove that there
has been neglect Of duty in the Office of the
Comptroller-General is 1t not here furnished
The grand jury Of Richland, among other
things certihes to the neglect of duty Of q
State officer and the inefficlency Of the pre-.
vious juries. The grand jury says:
q committee to investigate the books and
accounts OF the county officers and as re-
suit Of their Investigation We beg TO submit
our report, as follows: ,,
1900 and part OF 1901, covering term Of the
/ late treasurer, James \. Campbell, We find
that his Office is short $40, ,25670, with credit
however ofs226 which we viii mention later
on, leaving q net shortage of $40. 0.03O7O.
| 1--WE find that during Mr.. Z. ]. Brennep' II
| term OF Office as county teasurer he collected.
under q misapprehension. com missions on
| dispensary profits amounting TO S7SS, 43. that
he had no warrant Of law for, his Office being
| u saIaried one. Aside from this and few
unimportant errors we f1nd the books during
bis term in good shape.
| "Your committee, after considering the
matter carefully. thought best, and did re-
port the matter TO the solicitor on August 26,
1908, furnishing him with two copies OF our
report, In order that he might Immediately
take action In the matter.
I'VE would call your attention to the fact
that there are no cash booKs kept In the
| treasurer's Office. and would suggest that you
|
| the future. We 80 recommend.
! The duty OF the Comptroller General is
made clear In these Sections OF the Statute:
| of each County 10 notify the foreman Of the
Grand Jury thereof and the Comptroller Gen
| eral OF the day upon which said settlement II
| TO be made, and the Comptroller General, or
foreman of the Grand Jury Of each County
are hereby required to be present and witness
Sec. iS8. When said settlement shall have
been completed, the settlement sheels shall
| be signed by the County Commissioners and
County Treasurers, the County Superintend-
ents Of Education and County Treasurers, 10
duplicate and certified by the County Audi
County Auditors Office and the other mailed
| 10 the Comptroller General, to be by him re-
ported TO the General Assembly.
| Seo 437. 1t shall be the duty OF the Comp
| troller General to mail each year a copy OF
bis report con tanning such settlements TO the
Clerk OF the Court, County Com mlssioners,
school Com misslon ers and County Auditors
of each County OF the State. to be filed and
kept by said officers In their several Offices
As We understand 1t. the Comptroller Gen.
eral has been making annual reports to the
General Assembly. How did the ComptrolI.
er.General make his report be had not sell
tied with the treasurer Of Ricbland? If the
ICOmpLrOller naQ settleQ Win tDe treasurer,
how is 1t that in all these years there were
great errors against the State and the County?
How was 1t possible for the County treasurer
to hold the large sums which are now report
cd short? Does 1t prove that the Comptroller
was inefficient Or does 1t prove that the
Comptroller's office has been careless In
the most important duties devolving upon
any officer?
AS further evidence Of the incompetency
in former years In the discharge Of the
duties Of that office, other County tressurers
have been reported derelict. Are such dere-
licti ons Of duty to be continued?
II 1.-THE incumbent OF that office shall inau.
gurste system OF annual settlements as
required by law, and will tell the public how
former Comptrollers made up their reports to
the Legislature, when they had not made
settlement with some OF the treasurers, he
will do a public service.