The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-10-17
~ " u - -
CnmmonweAlth.s AttorneT

d 10 oil of Clerk Crismond = report-
since February 2Sth, 1900.
II this book was not in the Office, pray
ell u how il was possible for him I"
have signed and certified 10 what b,
claimed was not in the Office and how
.ould he have compared the sccounts
handed him by Clerk Crismond with
said book?
also have in my possession a letter
from Auditor Mare in the following
words and figures, to wit:
Richmond. July 81, 1903
!. l.. Powell, Esq, Belmont, Va.
Dear Sir:
Your favor of the 10Th lust. is a.
hand. Mr. Crismond was clerk OF two
courts, the County court oiSpOtsyl vauih
and the Circuit court Of Spotsy lyania.
There l. no connection between there
courts. The records are as distinct ano
separate az If they were kept in different
buildings and by different persons. Ia
-ach the law required book 10 be kept
by the clerk, in which should be entered
III taxes and other money belonging t.
the Commonwealth collected, or which
should be collected by the clerk, which
book il a record Of the court. 1t is the
duty of the clerk AT THE TIME HI
or Is REQUlREDby STAT
UTE TO COLLECT, ANY PUBLIt
MONEY TO ENTER THE SAME UPON
SAID BOOK.
The said book is so ruled that the
taxes on deeds. suite, wills, adminis'ra-
lions and so forth. and other public
money collected, may be placed in appr0-
pirate columns.
II il the duty Of the ATTORNEY For
THE COMMONWEALTH. On THE
FIRST DAY OF EACH MONTH, TO EX
ANIME SAID BOOK AND COMPARE
TIE ENTRIES THEREIN DURING
THE PRECEDING MONTH WITH THE
RECORDS OF THE COURT AND Thu
CLERKS OFFICE, AND HAVING
FOUND The ENTRIES CORRECT, TO
TIL NJ FACT BELOW THE
LAST ENTRY, STATING IN THE
CERTIFICATE THE AGGREGATE
AMOUNT OF MONEY EMBRACED IN
SAID ENTRIES.
Ii il the duty Of the CLERK, on the
lSth of February and the 3lst OF Au-
pust. TO make out a statement upon
forms prepared by the Auditor OF Public
Accounts, OF all taxes and other money
belonging TO the Commonwealth COL.
LECTED. OR WHICH SHOULD HAVE
BEEN COLLECTED. by him during the
preceding SIX MONTHS. which state
nent HAVING BEEN BY THE ATTOR-
VEY FOR THE COMMONWEALTH
,OMPARED WITH THESAID RECORD
BOOK. SHALL BE SIGNED By SAID
ATTORNEY AND SAID CLERK, AND
SENT BY SAID CLERK TO THE AL
)ITOR OF PU Bic ACCOUNTS.
You will find the act requiring this
Record Book to be kept by the clerk on
,ape S47 of Acts of 1S91-1S9S. The
vet went into effect August 81, 1898,
md books for the County and Circuit
;ourt were sent TO Mr.. Crismond before |
hat day.
| enclose n blank sheet Of such book 1
lied in by myself to show how itsbould /
,e kept BY clerk and certified by the Az
orney OF the Commonwealth. II such
,ook was kept by Mr.. Crismond for each
curt. County and Circuit, and com
jared each month by Attorney for Com
,opwealth with records Of the court and
Jerks office, they FURNISH COM
'LETE and ACCURATE ACCOUNT of
very cent OF money OF the Commonwealth
objected by Mr. CrismoDd from August
|. 1898, until he went away, or which
e should have collected. These books
'ere designed to keep an accurate &C :
punt OF such money to prevent mistakes
' the clerk or fraud by the clerk, and
! said before, il they are examined and
impaired each month with records OF
,urt snd Clerks Office and certified by
ttorney for Commonwealth, as the law
reefs, no mistake or fraud on part Of
srk can harm the Commonwealth.
Mr.. Cfismond made regular reports to (
lie Office on the 18th OF February and
st OF August Of collections by him, or
lIectione which be should haye made,