Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1906-03-24

the treasurer and the treasurer's in
not showing dates of payment Of war
rants.
From these statements it will ap-
pear, and otherwise in the course OF
the examination made | have found
among other things, and now report:
a. That all moneys receipted for by
the clerk, for the period beginning
March 81, 1904 and ending January L.
1906, have been by him accounted for,
that is, turned over to the treasurer,
the total amount whereof were an
nually, at the end of each fiscal year,
correctly reported by the clerk.
b. That such accounting and turning
over of funds by the clerk to the
treasurer was not always promptly
made, but excepting as to the mon
eys received for liquor licenses, was
dilatorily made, and especially 50
during the fiscal year of 1904-5, not
ably of moneys belonging in the gen
eral fund, whereas during the fiscal
year ending January l, 1906, the great
ried by the clerk belonged to the
water works fund At times during
this period, especially in 1904-5, many
warrants were not promptly paid but
payment thereof refused as for want
of funds, including warrants in favor
Of the clerk himself, and that at times
when considerable cash remained in
the clerks hands A complete ac-
counting was made, however, WITHIN
or at the end of each fiscal year.
In this connection, as a matter OF
fairness to the clerk, it should be
stated, however, and | now SO state,
that it appears he has at times ante
dated receipts for water rents and
water meter rates paid him, some
times by 8 Or 10 days, and in isolat
ed or in exceptional cases by from 2
to weeks. In preparing my showing
as to his office | necessarily followed
the actual dates of his receipts, but
actual cash balances carried by the
clerk doubtless varied a little from
my showing thereof, for the reason
here stated.
C. That the clerk has kept a COM
plete record of his cash receipts, but
omitted any book record of the mon
eys he turned over to the treasurer.
Following my suggestions this defect
has now been remedied.
d. That at times there We're a no
ticeable delay in presenting bills for
supplies purchased for the considera-
ton of the council, and a conse-
quent delay in payment thereof-thus
rejecting on the city as a paymaster.
Perhaps the council should share in
this criticism.
e. That there was laxity with re
spect to requiring proper verification
of numerous bills or claims allowed
and paid.
f. That between April and December
1905 certain monthly salaries mot
the clerk's) were permitted to be pre-
paid.
g. That while the salary per year az
months) of the mayor and each mem
Der of the council (whose terms ex-
pired in January, 1906 was fixed at
$4,000, said mayor and council mem
bers each received full two years
pay for p IL months service-the
aggregate over payment amounting
to $52.O5.
h. That, as finally determined, the
clerks monthly salary was $4,000
During the village administration of
1908, lasting until March Is, 1904, the
clerk was paid at the rate of $35 per-
month, excepting that beginning Feb
ruary |, 1904, he was paid at the rate
Of SIS per month. The day before the
city clerks salary was finally fixed,
the clerk received $75 as his salary
for March, 1904. If the new salary
rate became effective as Of March Is,
1904, when the city administration
began, the clerk was overpaid for last
lalf Of said month $780,
l. That the city clerk has made no
'eport Of fees by him received, and |
lone have been turned into the city /
treasury, if any he has received, as is
~ law required. apprehend this to
De a minor matter.