The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1905-02-10

lowed for the collection OF all checks.
etc.. deposited. Sometimes a check
which is received by the Office IS not
paid when presented. and confusion in
our accounts arise therefrom For
instance, on March 3, 1908, a check
given by Thos B. Butler upon the
Carolina National bank for S. was re-
fused payment when presented, and
the amount was not finally collected
for about three month. 1t would have
been inconvenient to have turned
that over to the state treasurer, even
though the office books showed it
was chargeable to us.
We found by mere chance that
one item of S1o25 50 for charter of the
Union Ware House Company. of Co.
lumbia. chartered on the 18th day of
January, 1902, was presented for pay
,nent in June 1901, and has not been
vet turned over to the state treasur-
er.'
1T is true that I discovered that
through some neglect there had been
failure to collect the fee for this
charter. l demanded its payment,
and a check was given therefor,
which was held for final determina-
ION as to its proper disposition. This
check is properly accounted for.
There were certain books we had
in Our possession last year concern
ing the period of Mr.. Gantt's predeces-
>or, which we were informed were
!:ept by the present secretary of
state
The present secretary OF state
wishes to say that he has never, ex-
cept for short period at the begin
ring of his term, kept any Of the cash
accounts of the Office During Mr..
Cooper's term these accounts were
!:ept by Mr.. D. H. Means, and the
record books during this period have
l.ever been in the personal custody of
the present secretary of state.
"When fees were paid in the office
10 him they were turned over to Mr..
Leans. whose personal receipt was
taken therefor. Prior TO this time no
receipts were taken, the same prac-
tee being in vogue. He regarded
..1r. Means's letter as official notice
10 him of the loss OF the books from
:; subordinate 70 his superior officer.
The statement is made, however,
that the report of the secretary OF
ssate and the original papers and rec
crds which were used by the commit
tee 70 verify the liabilities during the
present term can be made to serve
the same purpose even in the absence
OF this book, while deposits at the
hanks and payments to the state
treasurer will show all disbursements.
Again reverting to the general
i&atures OF this report, | wish to say
tat l requested all opportunity to
t2st the accuracy of the figures made
- by the committee and to explain
any cause for criticism that appeared
II them. but was refused. Without
t2virg seen the totals arrived at
challenge the accuracy even OF the
addition in the purported statement
hich was made up. 1t does seem
that men who proclaim SO loudly
their jealousy Of the peoples money
should ar least put enough value up
cl the character and reputation OF a
nan that they would at least refrain
from inputing to him that which is
d:screditable until they had observed
the caution of ascertaining facts to
rest their assertion on, and when crlti-
c;sing the efficiency of another to be
certain OF their own.
Respectfully submitted.
J.. T. CAN'T.
Secretary OF State.
t1,a 1o+-n, * rO-,1D1ote