The Montgomery advertiser., 1906-12-18

w. R. Tucker, Commissioner 6.Sf H n. McGraw, ex-Commis-
 sioner 1.lS T. T. saddler. ex-Commis-
 sioner -. .. =. 7.15
 Total due ...s2O,s75 ST
 Of these, Probate Judge B Lyons, Superintendent of Education D. NJ. Ranks. Tax Collect or W. M. Bass and Circuit Clerk H. NJ. Wilson, upon hay ing their attention drawn to the amounts due, immediately refunded the money
 Far Reaching fin it's SfEect.
 The significance of the results of the examinations lies in the fact that the conditions which have led mp to this misrepresentation of money in Lee connty are similar to conditions exist ing in every part Of the State. County funds cannot be used except for pur- poses expressly authorized by law. In many counties it is believed that of- flcials have followed custom rather than laws
 The investigation of Examiner Cor man into the books of the Lee county officials, was most exhaustive in scope. Every item of expense entered on the books of the different offices since 1S9e was gone over with thoroushness and attention to detail. It revealed the fact that for years money has been spent for articles which ,re not au- thorized by law, and which were there fore, purchased illegally with the coun- | ty funds. That money las been spent [ in this manner, the Examiner sets forth in his report, is due in large part
 to appropriations made by the Lea county Board of Commissioners with out requisite authority, and to the | County Treasurer in honoring with | payment illegal demands made upon
 him by the authorization of ths Board.
 Among the items which have beer paid for by the county money, the re port states, are ices typewriters, tele phone rental, postage stamps, and ar ticles of office equipment. Illegal col | lection of fees by probate judges fol preliminary trials. in criminal cases i' also charged, and in several instance! money had been paid out to county of | hcials for services which their pOsl ton as officials called upon them tt perform without compensation. No Dishonesty PractIeed. The statement is made by Examines | German, however, that in no instance mas there been any dishonest disburse ments The illegal disposition of larg, amounts, he says, has been due to mis interpretation and misconstruction O the laws. Officials to whom are accred ited shortages have merely been fol lowing customs which have been 1T practice Tn Lee County, as well as 1T other counties, for years, until they have become recognized as legal. The Examiner makes the point, however and he is supported in it by opinion, from Attorney General Massey Wilson that in none of the instances which hC has mentioned are the expenditures au. thorized by any statute.
 rt, Ina of Mir made at the direction ot Governor Jelks, in response to a petition from ten citizens of Lee County, including the entire County Boaro of Commas sioners. He spent several weeks mak ing his investigation. The report wal made to the Circuit Judge of the coun- ty, as the matter IS one concerned pure ly with county finances. and not witt the moneys O: the State.
 That the conditions found to ex1s in Lee County are, general throughout the State is the opinion of those who have seer, the report. number O. petitions nave been received by Gov ernor Jelks asking that the State ex' arniners be sent to the several districts from which they come to make exam nations there. It has been the custom Of the administrat tion, after the exam lners have thoroughly Investigated th' finances of the counties which pertain to the State. to respond to these re quests. The work of the examiners however, is so arduous that 1t is usu ally impossible for them to complete the work for which their office call! until nearly the close of the year. I has been suggested that provision should be made for the appointment O more State Examiners, in order tha the county finances might be better looked after as we'll as the finances O the State.
 It was stated yesterday that it il probable the books of officials of othe counties may be investigated by Stat Examiners in the near future. Full Report Of Mir. GOr..Rn. The full report of Examiner GOrman which was sent to the Circuit Judge was as follows:
 "Sir-In obedience to instructions re- ceived from Governor William D. Jelks 1 l have examined, under Section 1877 of | the Code of Alabama. the books, ac- | counts and vouchers of the officials oi