Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1906-04-13


grand jury of Henrico county which
has been investigating the conduct
OF the office of the late treasurer,
shortly before noon today brought
In report, which was accepted by
Judge Scott. who thereafter discharg.
cd the jury.
Text Of the Report.
The report is as follows:
To the; Honorable r. Carter Scott,
Judge Of the Circuit Court of the
county of Henrico:
We the grand jury appointed by
your honorable court. having duly
considered the questions referred to
us in connection with the affairs of
the office OF w. j. Todd, late treas.
ur1r of Henrico county and the con.
duct OF himself and any others in his
office beg leave to report:
II appears from the evidence that
w j. Todd, late treasurer, applied
taxes collected by him, In part. and
in excess of his commissions. to his
personal use. and in his private bus
ines; that he loaned the same to sun
dry individuals ON his personal ac-
count aud responsibility; that he
placed portion OF such funds i'm
bank at interest and collected, or
claimed. such interest us his personal
property; aud that he used funds
belonging TO the county TO overpay
the State of Virginia on account of
State taxes which had not been
paid and became delinquent, apparent,
ly with the object of realizing person.
ally tic bcncfiL when such taxes
were paid later, Of the five per cent.
penalty for non-payment within the
time required by law; and that ON
amount OF such use OF the funds IL
deficit of $3.50 i39 was found al the
time Of death.
We find. however, that said treas.
urcr had at no time failed to pay
over funds of the county. as Required
by warrants OF the Board of Supervi-
sors. nor to pay over to the State of
Virginia taxes collected by him.
We find. Furthermore, that both
the State of Virginia and the county
of Henrico arc secured for all funds
by valid bond far in excess of the
funds In the hands Of said treasurer
at any one time.
hrpnrflfnr In,
rcsentative OF the security company,
Which was confirmed by the admin.
istrator of the estate OF the deceased
treasurer. and also by the appraiser
or the assets OF the said estate, It's re-
qnircd by law. such assets largely
exceed the above deficit whcih will
be paid by the administrators, and if
not so paid. the surety company will
meet any remaining deficit.
We recommend that the Board OF
Supervisors of the county employ. or
be authorized and directed to employ,
Il competent expert to install sys.
tenn of accounts and methods for the
conduct OF every detail of the treas.
E f.
urers office. and that they also pro.
vide for a thorough auditing of said
office two or more times year, at
Irregular periods, with view of pre-
venting, as far as possible, the use of
public funds, in whole or part, for
any other purpose than that to which
they belong.
We believe from the evidence be-
fore us that the late treasurer had
no wrongful intent In handling the
funds as he did, but, on the contrary
thought that he was Within his legal
rights.
In conclusion, however, your grand
jury desires TO place on record its dc.
cidcd opinion that the use of public
funds by any official, for any other
purpose than That fixed by law. con.
stltutes malfeasance in office, which
would justify his removal.