The Birmingham age-herald., 1905-02-14

the last examination to December 1st. 1904. They have paid into the county treasury all moneys collected for the county.
 The books of Hon. o. B. Rails, ex- county treasurer, were correctly kept. Claims against the general and the spe- cial funds, which were allowed by the commissioners court, were registered in accordance with law. The disburse- ments of all the funds were legally made and proper vouchers for each fund are on file.
 As your honor knows in the examina- ton and allowance of claims, the ac- ton of commissioners court is executive or administrative and not judicial and much is left to their judgment and dis cretion. As far as I could ascertain, the claims against the several funds allowed by the commissioners court of Etowah county were legal, but many of them seem extravagant. The annual expenses Of the county are quite heavy. In addi- ton to the general current expenses. there are special taxes for bridges, roads and the court house and jail The rate of taxation is 75 cents, the constitution al limit.
 Having both circuit and city courts and working the county convicts by the county are heavy items of expense.
 In 1891 Etowah county issued $75,000 bonds for the erection of a court house and jail. These bonds are payable in thir- ty years and bear per cent interest, making the annual interest S4500
 The taxes. license and other sources of revenue, not being sufficient to pay the current expenses of the county. local acts were enacted by the legislature in 1898 and 1901, authorizing the commissioners court to borrow s10,00O annually for five years to pay current expenses. The act of 1898 provided that the warrants issued should not be sold al less than par and should bear per cent interest. Under this act S20000 warrants were issued. The act of 1901 made no provision as to the price for which the bonds should sell but provided that they should bear per cent interest. Under this act S90 GOO bonds were issued. Twenty-Five thousand and thirtv-six dollars were obtained for i these bonds. The difference of Si964 being allowed as discount and commissions for negotiating them. On these warrants and bonds. the county pays s24O0 interest an- nually
 This makes the total bonded indebted ness of Etowah county s125,0OO with an annual interest thereon of $690o.
 In addition there are old unpaid reg istered claims against the county amount ing to S1014.60.
 Just pIeNiOuS 10 ms retirement rom office on December 1, 1904. Ex-Treasurer O. B. Rails borrowed SIS 499. 3s from a bank in Gadsden and paid all registered claims against the several funds of the county, which had been allowed by the commissioners court to December l. 1904 except the slo146o above mentioned.
 This makes the total indebtedness of the county on December l. 1904 $144- 5l7as as per exhibit "A" attached
 This does not include any claims not presented and allowed by the commis- sioners court to December 1. 1904
 The 3S borrowed money will have to be paid out of current expenses which are due this year.
 The county taxes and license amount to about $45.Oo0 annually.
 From these figures it is evident that a serious financial condition confronts Eto- wah county and reform. retrenchment and strict economy are necessary to meet it. Respectfully sumbitted.
 J. T. GORMAN, Examiner of Public Accounts
 Sworn to and subscribed before me this 17th day of January. 1905 J. B. LYONS.
 Judge of Probate. Lee county. Ala.
 Exhibit "A"
 Registered indebtedness of Etowah county. December l. 1904: