The Paducah sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1898-1906, 1905-03-22
FISCAL COURT HEARS
REPORT OF EXPERTS
Warm Discussion by Magistrates Over
County Attorneys Fee.
County Clerk Graham Pays Over $2,S4669...May
Have to Pay Over More.

McCracken fiscal court met In spe-
cial session this morning with all
members present and heard n report
from Messrs. l.. Cominger and Ben G.
Weaver. expert accountants of Lou
isville. who have been AT work since
last Thursday on the books of Coun-
~ Clerk Charles II. Graham. making
out n report Of the back tax collec-
tons, II having been alleged that
County Clerk Graham was short to
the county In his back tax collec-
tions.
The report was lengthy, covering
period from the beginning Of his
first term 10 date. and showed him
behind to date In back tax collec-
tions s2.Si2.G9. This delinquency
began on April LIST, 1902. and with
the report came n check for the full
amount. The court room was pack
ed with expectant witnesses who lis
tened with interest to the reading OF
the report.
Judge Lighufoot called the court
together at IL o'clock and read the
report from the bench. II showed
all accounts mp until April LIST. 1909
straight and no money due the coun-
". but beginning with this date no
settlement or report on his collec-
tions had been made the fiscal court.
After the reading of the first report
a supplement report was read In re-
gard to the 90 per cent. fee due the
county attorney for back tax collec-
tions. which was not embodied in the
first report. This report seemed to
confuse the magistrates and there
was much explaining. ending in a
committee being appointed to employ
an attorney for advice as TO whether
the county attorney Is really entitled
legally to this fee or not.
After Judge Lightfoot read the
first report, County Clerk Graham
made a speech in explanation of his
failure TO settle.
"As far as the state and county
taxes. and money due. Is concerned"
he explained. 81 will say have paid
everything in with the exception OF
the s2.Si2G9. This had not been
paid until today and ! never at any
time claimed that II had been paid.
As you all know there Is no specific
time for making settlement and be-
cause ! have not settled for this
amount OF back taxes constitutes no
crime for me: am guilty of nothing
and have always been ready to pay
any money arising from mistakes |
might have made when a demand is
made. or when ! am shown my mis-
tHkes
The matter of whether I have
done wrong. or acted illegally In the
matter, lays entirely with the board
and might take occasion to say that
since my incumbency have paid
more money into the state and coun-
" than any other county clerk, by
double. During the time of my In
/. cumbency have attempted to con-
eeal nothing and my record is open
to all--the books Will speak for
themselves. As to the 90 per cent.
fee OF the county attorney. II has
been paid and there Is no question
ut all on this pcipt.
"This investigation was started for
purely political purposes at this crit
ical time, and II Is a political move
first, last and all the time. | have
always had the money to discharge
my obligations TO the county, and
been ready TO pay over to the county
any amount due II when called for,
and may add that II has been paid.
II any mistakes have been made by
me, they have been honest ones and
all Task OF this body, and ! know |
will get Il. Is fair treatment-then l
will be satisfied"
Al the conclusion OF Clerk Ora
hams statement Justice Tapp offer
ed resolution to accept the re-
port of the accountants and the set
Element made In the payment OF the
back taxes due. The resolution was
neatly typewriter and gotten up In