The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-09-21
TAX COLLECTOR is
SHORT IN ACCOUNTS
John Case of Mobile Owes the
State $8,908.91
SEDBERRY MAKES REPORT
Shortage Seems to Have Grown Out of
Double Credit for Errors.
other News of Mont
gomery. ~



by the board of equalization.
The matter was called to the attention
of the governor several days ago and he
directed the books to be checked up. 1t
is said one of the men who at one time
worked with Mr.. Case drew attention to
the matter In Mobile.
The papers have been referred to the
auditor with instructions to proceed to
the collection of the money In case this
is not to be done the attorney general
will be instructed to bring suit against
Mr.. Cases bondsmen.
The full report of Examiner Sedberry
follows:
Montgomery, Ala, September 20, 1904
Hon. R. NJ. Cunningham Lieutenant and
Acting Governor of Alabama
Dear Sir-In obedience to instructions
received from the chief executive office
1 have examined the books and accounts
| of Mr.. John Case, ex-tax collector for
Mobile county, so far as same relates to
the collection and settlement of taxes due
the state for the tax year 1899, and beg
leave to submit the following reports
l find that the ex-tax collector Mr. John
Case owes the state quite large amount
balance due on general and special taxes
for year 1899, vix: Eight thousand nine
hundred and eight and 81. 100 dollars, be-
sides interest since July 1900, by reason
of double credit being allowed him for
| nearly the entire amount of the errors
as they appear on book of errors for the
year named This very unusual condition
of affairs seems to have resulted from a
combination of circumstances which / am
unable to explain.
Double Credit for Errors.
1t is perfectly clear that having re-
| ceived credit for the list of errors once.
he was not entitled to have them allowed
him again. The list Of errors and abate-
ments by board of equalization was de-
| Quoted from total footing of assessment
| book, before the abstract for the audi
tor was made up, and the collector was
never charged with the amount of same,
| hence he was not entitled to a credit
/ therefor.
In order that you may have the whole
matter before you. append hereto, two
statements one marked exhibit a"
showing final settlement had with the
auditor In. July, 1900, the other marked ex-
hibit "B" showing proper credits to
| which Mr.. Case was entitled and amount
still due the state by him, as balance on
taxes for year, 1899, amounting to $S90S. 81,
to which should be added interest from
July l, 1900 to date.
Aggregate Amount of Errors.
/ The error book shows the aggregate
amount of errors, and Attachments by the
board OF equalization to be $67S7.29 gen.
eral state tax and $1243.7O for each of the
special soldier and school taxes, of which
said amounts there was $685. 4S of the
general state tax, and s1206.63 of each OF
the special school and soldier tax taken
off of the total footing of the assess
ment book before the abstract for the
auditor was made out. So that on final
settlement of the years taxes only the
balance of errors should have been al
| lowed as proper credits. whereas the set
tlement with the auditor shows he re-
ceived credit for whole amount of errors,
| thus getting double credit for allowance
by board Of equalization as is more fully
set out In exhibits "a and "B."
Balance Due by Case.
! I also append exhibit &c" showing
amount of balance due by Mr.. Case all
| of these exhibits are requested to be
| considered part of this report. BY ref
erence to exhibit 3D." 1t will be seen
| have given Mr.. Case credit for a larger
amount for taxes on lands sold and bid
In by the state than he received credit for
In his settlement with tho auditor. This
/
property was sold after the board of
equalization had closed their statement In
reference to this item. Mr.. Case is clearly
entitled to this credit and I cheerfully
| give 1t to him because 1t is right
After completing my examination of the
books and making up a statement of the
result, had conference with Mr.. Case
| and submitted said statement to him. Mr.
Case had very little to say and did not
explain or even attempt an explanation.
All oi "hicn is respectfully submitted.
| @. r. sEDBERRY,
Assistant Examiner Public Accounts.
sworn to and subscribed before me on
September 20. 1904.
J. l. COOK,
Notary Public, Montgomery County, Ala.
there follow the detailed exhibits an
pended by Examiner sedberry)
Welcome for Watts.
Hed men OF Montgomery gave Hon.
lhomas II. watts the newly elected great
lncohonee, royal welcome to his home
iast night. He was just getting back from
the great council at ST. Joseph. Mo
wnere ne was elected to the highest office
In the order. The reception committee
met Mr.. Watts at the depot with a hand
and he was marched out through double
lie or red men, waiting to welcome him
The whole party then boarded cars of
the Montgomery street railway and were
transported to Electric park. where ad-
dresses of welcome were made and a
sumptuos repast served at the refresh
ment pavilion. hon. Tyler Goodwin was
master of ceremonies while the chief
speech was made by Capt. B. II. Screws.
Mr.. Watts made a talk, in which he
told of the great progress of the order and
the work 1t has In hand.
Would HobbIe Police.
Alderman J. J. Sullivan undertook to
have passed a resolution by the council
last night that would have throttled ALI
effort to discover and arrest men with
out so showing up the officer that the
culprit would get away.
/ He wanted resolution passed prohib-
iting any officer from putting on citizen
clothes and entering any place Of busi-
ness for the purpose of seeking violators
of the law and making arrests; also
written authority must be shown by any
officer who enters place of business or
other house to make arrest and no arrest
can be made without 1t. Several members
of the council opposed the movement and
1t was laid over to next time.
Macon County Books.
State Examiner J. T. German has filed
report with the governor on the offers
Of Macon county. In each case all books