The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1905-01-27
VERY STRONG PAPER.
He Wants All Officers Receiving or Dis.
bursting Public Funds to Have the
Same System of Bookkeeping.
The Report Contains Other
yo1u,bIa c,oooe,;o,e
Valuable Suggestions

poor rTachinery with which to carry
out tHre tax laws. In his annual re-
portVhe takes hold OF the problems
boliA
tOUNTY TAX OFFICIALS. ~
With Regard to county tax 6lHcials
ComprolleNy J ones makes these recon-
mendations:
q. That 3 luriform system of
GERS charged with receiving or disburs-
ing public funds.
70. That the comptroller general
be empowered to appoint an expert
accountant to visit frequently during
the year the various county officials
and make examinations Of their books
3. That a sufficient gum he ap-
propriated to purchase the necessary
books and blanks required In intro.
duclng uniform system Of bookkeep-
Ing.
a. That an amount sufficient to
cover salary and expenses OF an ex
pert account be appropriated.
8. That the term Of Office OF
auditor and treasurer be fixed at four
years"
A0 III COUNTY FINANCES.
"Dispensary Fund.-The present
law requires county boards to meet
once month in the auditors office
aud divide the dispensary profits be-
tween the town and county. The
county auditor Is required to- report
the same to the state board of CON-
troll. This law Is practically ignored, /,
for we tind the county auditors, with
a few exceptions accept the county
treasurer statement Cf the dispen
sery funds received. I would recon-
mend that the law be amended requir-
ing the county board to meet as above
On the first Wednesday Of each
month.
Borrowing Money by Counties. =
In witnessing annual settlements we
aud ufle e'cuuuGy auditor, county super.
visor and county treasurer In many
instances ignorant Of the amount OF
money borrowed, or they are unable
to give any definite information as to
the exact amount Of thase funds until
all hands make an investigation The
law relativa to borrowed money for
county or school purposes, should be
amended so as to require all notes to
be signed by the county supervisor
and county auditor and councersigned
by the county treasurer before they
become legal obligation against the
county,
Reports of Magistrates. -Magis.
tfatcs should be required to make a
full and complete report monthly to
the county auditor and county treas.
urGr, Of all fines aud licences collected
and pay the same into the county
treasury before warrant is issued by
The county for their salary.
Reports OF County Treasurers.
The county. treasurer should be re.
quired by law to make report on the
lst and 18th OF eacn month to the
comptroller general, sthe county sup
ervisor and cluntY. superintendent Of
education, covering his entire receipts
and disbursements a penalty should
be provided for derelictiun@ of this
duty. sA
County Supervisor. The supervi-
sor should, under heavy penalty, be
required to enter on the claim book
every obligation OF the county, show.
ing in appropriate column its disposl-
tion by the board OF ccuaty commits.
SlOners.
"Supe and County Superln.
tendcnt OF Education. That penal
ty be provided by law where the coun-
ty supervisor or county superlnten-
| dent OF education shall draw check
upon any fund, unless the report OF
the county treasurer shows balance
to the credit Of that fund; that war
rant drawn by the county supervi, or
or county uperintendent or educ ltion
shall designate the particular fund
and the fiscal year to which 1t be.
longs. This is necessary In order to
keep the special fund Of the county
and schools separate and distinct.
FIRE BUSINESS GAINS.
Fire business in South Carolina fol
1893 with figures OF 1902, for purpus,
of comparisons:
Risk written 1903, s96, ,945. 176,
1902 s90,Ol4,2l3 s3; gain Sc $50.
062 II.
Premiums received, 1903 s1,l0l,.
O69 l6; 1902, 81, ,l4o, 867 81; gain $50 ;.
2U2 90.
A. AyeIaEe "a. {rs rate e, 1923. .2si 1902
Losses paid, 1908 s557 57I7o; 1902
SG92 500 %; decrease sl36, ,288 81.
Percentage OF losses paid 20 prem.
iums received, 1903, 46 8; 1902. 80. 8.
LIFE BUSINESS GAINS.
|. Life business in South Carolina 70,
1903 with figures Of 1902 for purpose
Of comparisons:
Risks written, 1908, $40 $40, 326 90
1902, 15,803, ,007.7 10; gain s4,o37,
1880.
Premiums received, 1903, So, 1874
72l 83; 1902, So $50. 4So.1l; gain 1904
24l.72.
Losses paid, 1903, 1906, 800. So
1902, ssoS,677 65; gain :7,2l3 81.
Losses Incurred, 1903, 1907 966. i
1902, S076, ,S88. G8; gain s68, ,922 OF.
INSURANCE FEES AND TAXES.
II would recommend to take et
feet Jan. l, 1906, that in lieu OF GU
present license laws and the require
mcnts for companies to pay taxes [
counties, that all insurance companie
chartered In other states or foreip