East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1905-11-04

Last evening the official report OF
Experts Clark & Buchanan, was sub
mitted TO the county commissioner,
and. as was intimated in this paper
several weeks ago, irregularities were
found in the office OF county clerk.
However, the amount found to be due
the county from that office was much
larger than was expected. According
to the report a total of $1,331.47 was
found to be due the county for fees
which were not collected by the off,
cials who have had charge OF the Of
flee during the past six years.
OF this amount $411.l0 is due from
B. S. Burroughs, $S30.37 from W. d.
Chamberlain, and $50 from Frank
Sailing. Mr.. Burroughs held office
for two terms but only the work OF
his last term was Investigated. Mr..
Chamberlain was in office also two
terms, and consequently the shortage
under his administration is merely in
proportion with that of his predeceS-
sor. of the amount due from Sailing
considerable had already been naid in
by the parties owing the fees, but as
the payments were made after July i,
they We're not regarded hr the ex-
prts.
Most of the items charged against
the three clerks were small amounts
many being for 50 and s5. It is ex-
pected that some of the amounts will
be explained away o. else found TO
have been paid already. In their re-
ha oil
made the reservation that Some OF the
charges contained therein were likely
subjects to explanation and rebate
Also, they cleared all three officials
of any criminal blame in the matter,
saying that 1t was evident that the er-
rors had occurred through a misun-
derstanding regarding what should be
charged for the filing of papers
The report on the sheriffs office
was not submitted, as 1t is now In the
hands of District Attorney Phelps
who is at Heppner.
Regarding the offices of treasurer
and recorder, favorable reports were
made. and the latter office especially.
was complimented for the wo:k 1t has
done. Practically no errors wers
found in the work of ]. w. Maloney.
who held the office for two terms.
and of William Folsom. the present
incumbent, who has been in office
over year.
In the introduction to their report
Messrs Clark and Buchanan made q
general statement regarding the con-
dition of affairs as follows:
With one exception, poor account
Ing, cumbersome, complex, out-of-
date and, in too many instances. total
incorrect has prevailed. The laws
have not been carefully regarded
nor have they been wisely evaded or
altered. BY reason of these improper
methods, omissions and perversiona,
the taxpayers have been caused to
suffer pecuniary loss which cannot be
recovered, a large shortage has been
found which, while fortunately re-
stored, should have been impossible
In occurrence and criminal prose-
rution costly and deplorable faces YOU.
1t is the accepted rule that public
affairs in the handling require the
ike simplicity, accuracy and thor
Dughness as do those of private indi-
'lduals with the added mandates of
~ AeN NhlNh NiilllOl ut lOO TlEOrOuG-
y administered. For the safety of
he public and the protection of its
means and methods should
'e provided to conserve the interests
If all. and It is apparent that had
uch been done In the past history of
his county, many thousands of dol
arS would have been saved to certain
II your ex-officials privately and To
he county as whole"
Also, they filed with the court a pc
ition that the provisions of their con-
ract with the Umatilla county court
hat the total expense of their work
hould not exceed $1,000 be waived.
nd that they be paid for their work
t the rate of SIS per day for two
nen. Two hundred twenty-five dayu
all are said TO have been required
or the work. thus making a bill Of
/, 1,s24.60.