The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1906-09-11
WHAT OTHER PEOPLE THINK
For Fair Play.
To the Editor of The Journal.
Wa tho ,,ntlorsirna1 Il,

To the Editor OF The Journal.
We, the undersigned desire to call
| attention to some misstatements, both
in the press and on the stump, respect
ing the law and the facts controlling
the Office of the city treasurer. It is
banks on city deposits has for the past
ten years been put into the treasury as
a "voluntary' act on the part of the
present treasurer, and that in addition
to the $4,000 salary paid to the
treasurer, he could, if so disposed, have
kept for his personal use all interest
paid by the banks or otherwise earned.
This is incorrect. The law requires
all such interest to be turned over to
the city, as appears from the follow
provisions OF the charter:
Section 31-1t is hereby made the duty Of the
city treasurer to make every endeavor to secure
interest on the public funds, consistent with
their safe-keeping, herein provided; and to
manage such funds in the interest of the city.
But he shall in no case postpone or defer any
payments after the same shall become due in
order to secure additional interest on such funds
At the close Of each fiscal year the city treas
urer shall make statement Of the total amount
Of interest on public funds received by him dur
ing the year, and such interest shall be placed
to the credit Of the several funds from which it
shall accrue. ~.1 -"
Not only is the treasurer required to
turn over all interest on city funds, it is
also his duty to give monthly detailed
report Of that interest as appears by
the following provisions Of the char
ter: s.
Section 2e-The city council shall have power,
where the same is not herein fixed, to fix tn:
compensation Of all officers elected or appointed
under this act. Such compensation shall be
fixed by resolution at the time the office is Gre
ated, and at the commencement Of any year,
as soon after election as practicable, and when
so fixed shall not be increased or diminished
during the term for which such officer shall have
been elected or appointed. All fees and emolu-
ments of whatever character accruing to any
city officer such officer shall be reported to
the city council monthly and paid monthly into
the city treasury.
We regret that so unfair and unjust
by the friends of Mr. Hubert, and we
believe it right to call public attention
to the truth. We hardly think Mr.. HUI
bert, honored and respected citizen as
he is, will indorse the effort Of his
friends to perpetuate his occupancy Of
the treasurer 8 office by any misstate-
ment Of the facts or the law. We do
not believe that anyone has any i'll
feeling for him, but many do believe
that his ten years Of service, the neces-
sity Of his absence in California each
advanced age, are facts that may be
fairly considered in estimating his fu-
ture efficiency
1t seems apparent that his duties as
city treasurer, and as member of the
city and county building commission,
and as member Of the armory board,
and as treasurer of the school and park
boards, cannot all Of them be given
that personal attention which vigilant
Watchfulness of public funds requires,
during Mr.. Hubert 8 absence from tho
city. -,
The work of the office is exactinv
and the reports required are numerous
and detailed, and cannot, all Of them
be delegated to assistants. No one
doubts Mr.. Hulbert's ability and in.
Itegrlty, but we may fairly consider
the question of his future efficiency.
The books Of the city officials were
last winter examined BY the public ex-
am l1t1e OF Minnesota; It has for some
months been public document. Tt
called attention to several points of
criticism of the city treasurer IS Office