Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1905-06-29

REPORT OF FINANCE COMMISSION.
By the unanimous vote of the City
Council last night the report of the
finance commission, consisting OF
Mayor Jones, Counsellor Riley and
Treasurer Russell, on the matter of
the financial relations of the city with
the late treasurer, Jerry l.. Smith,
was adopted and Mr.. Smiths accounts
with the city were declared satisfao-
torily settled.
This was accomplished after the
finance commission had made an ex-
haustive examination of Mr.. Smith g
accounts from the very beginning of
his occupancy of the Office aud found
the balance due the city to be 81, 300. 81,
which Mr.. Smith promptly turned
over. The final result makes an excel.
lent showing for Mr.. Smith in regard
to the amount of taxes collected by
him in comparison with other incum-
bents of the office. OF the total levy
of over S32, 900, Mr. Smith has now
collected and accounted for all but
81. 51S. 81, q much smaller balance
than many former treasurers have had
after the same period.
In fact Mr.. Smiths balance is still
smaller than this amount, as he has
collected q considerable sum within
the last few days, which will be turn
ed over to the city. This considerable
sum of cash which the city has re-
ceived enables the present board to re-
tire from office in most excellent finan-
cial shape, and there will be no en-
cumbrances on the next board in the
way of unexpected indebtedoes. The
public is naturally interested in know
ing Just how the ENHANCEMENT over
Mr.. Smiths accounts occurred and
the facts are not at all generally un-
derstood.
1t will bs remembered that Mr..
Smith went into office about four
months late in 1908 and that citizens
had been ready to pay their taxes foI
some time. The usual discounts, rang
ing from per cent. down were grant
ed, but for shorter period than
usual and there was great rush to
take advantage of it, As result Mr..
Smith collected a very great sun
during the first two months when dis
counts of 4, and per cnet. were al
| lowed, aud some errors were made in
keeping the accounts, Mr.. Smith be-
| ing compelled to receive the bulk ol
| the years taxes before he could ever
provide himself with the proper books
or become thoroughly acquainted witt
the city's intricate system of book
keeping.
Mr.. Smith became charged with th'
| full'amount of the taxes levied agains
| the persons paving during that periot
when as a matter of fact they wert
all collected less the appropriate dis
count. These discounts Mr.. Smith
of course, never received and the,
amounted to ever $780, A furthe
| error was discovered in that mistak
in the addition of the levy of 100
furnished Mr.. Smith by the clerl
made an error of $1,000 against Mr.
| Smith. These errors and some other
of a minor nature, caused some confu
sion and it became very diettiult t.
find just what Mr.. Smith did hold O
the oity's monies. 1t has been thi
task that the finance commission ha
been working upon and after very ex
haustive and painstaking work the.
have agreed upon the figure mentioned
above. which Mr.. Smith promptl,
| truned over. The report of the com
mission. upon motion of Alderman
Williams, was unanimously adopted