The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-10-05
Wednesday, Oct. 5, 1904.
Mr.. Calvert Goes Ont and MIR. Jones
Goes In.

Mr.. Calvert Goes Ont ana MT. jones
Goes In.
On last Friday. September so, Mr.. w. A.
Calvert resigned the duties of dispenser and
Mr. j. E. Jones assumed the duties of that
position on the first day Of this month.
While it is a fact that q few good and hon
est prohibitionists are making fight on the
dlspen sary, yet II is true that there has never
been, as far as we now recolect, any COM
plant of the Abbeville disCensary by either
the license men or the prohibtionists.
AS far as we know, the dispensary law has
the approval OF the temperance element, and
the management Of the dispensary has been
satlsfactoryto all.
Mr.. Jones has been employed for some time
as clerk In the establishment, and is now so
familiar with its workings that be can keep
the books correctly and manage the institu-
ton according to'the provisions OF the law.
Dispensers are required to make frequent
settlements and when they make a settle
ment 1t Is final.
The Comptroller Gene and the county
treasurers are the only officers known to us
where final settlements are not often had.
The Railroad agents settle periodically, and
and when they settle the settlement is def
mite and specific.
The Post Office authorities with thousands
of assistant post masters under their charge,
make exact and correct settlements every
few months.
The Carolina Chem cal Company, having In
charge many manufacturing enterprises, and
employing many financial agents, settle
with their employees at stated intervals.
The r, ted States Government looks after
the Nat lal Banks, and their affairs are
made known a; least five times during the
year.
The insGra nce agents settle with the CON-
panies every month.
The only financial agents OF whom we
have any acquaintance, that do not make
clear, specific and definite settlements are
the Comptroller General and the County
Treasurers.
1t seems that the Comptroller General and
the County Treasurers seldom settle their
accounts before the treasurer goes out Of
office. Or, to say the least, in some instances
such settlements are deferred or are left open
3 for years.
II public officers fail to pay over the States
money, somebody must be derelict In duty
II these officers fail 10 make settlements and
hold money in their hands which belong to
the Government, who Is responsible for the
loss
1.-the Comptroller General max s.these set
Elements, and 1t can afterward be estab-
lished that he allowed any County Treasurer
to hold back money belonging to the State,
are not he and his bondsmen legally and
morally responsible for the loss?
We wonld state distinctly, that We make
no sort of charge or imputation against the
integrity or the character Of any man who
has held the Office OF Comptroller General,n nor
would we entertain for moment the thought
that any County Treasurer had wlfully with
held public money. 1t is their manner of
making settlements TO which we object
We cannot believe and would not believe.
that either Of these officers have been dishon-
est. Those officers with whom we are &C.
quainted we know to be honest men.
But the fact that settlements have not in
past years been made annually as the law
directs, and that the half made settlements
stood over for years indicates painful con-
dition Of affairs and great lack of eff
cheney,
If the work OF The Comptrol er- General, Mr..
Jones, in overhauling various Treasurer's &C.
counts, Is with view 10 correcting them I'D
to date and making them final, which We
understand is. his purpose. the public will
commend him for his efficient work, and II
he will hereafter demand annual settlements
which can not be ripped up and questioned
he will have inaugura,ed a much needed
reform.
Why is 1t that the State Of South Carolina
is the only great concern that does not max,
periodical final settlements with its fuarcia
agents.
Is the law detective? If so, 1t Is time that
II was amended.
II the law Is what 1t should be, and the
Comtroler-General discharges his duty, how
is IT possible for County Treasurer to hold
back money, belonging 10 the Government?
1t would seem to us that the first and i'm.
perative duty Of the next Legislature is to
remedy the evils resulting from the careless
OF making settlements. We have no
30. .yoi dout' as to the Integrity OF any body ,
but the looA. say Of allowing County Treas.
urers to hold back government money should
DE stopped.
What would we think If the State off GERS
allowed dispenser TO keep part Of the States
money? What would we think If he should
be allowed TO 60 for years without making
settlement?
If superior officer allows an In ferior Off
Ger to keep public money for years. is the
higher officer blameless, or should all the
censure be directed to the lower officer
Who is more blame!ess, the one who makes
an error or ths one who prevents 1t.
R- - -o.-----