The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1906-02-02
SEVERAL SHORTAGES
Comptroller General Reports Results
Of Investigations of Finances
of Several Counties.

IN has annual report 10 the general
assembly Comptroller General Jones
makes the following report and rec
concentrations as to the examination
Of county affairs and finances:
"At the last session of your honor
able body, an appropriation was made
Of $1,000. to be expended in making
special Investigations where necessary
In several counties.
''Berkeley county: An investiga-
tion of the accounts Of the present
treasurer, J. 0. Edwards, was made,
and some small discrepancies discov-
cred, which were corrected.
"Clarendon county: A thorough
Investigation was made, as requested
by the grand jury, Of all Offices in
this county. While<-books and ac-
counts of some Of the officers were in
a tangled condition, the treasurer has
accounted for every dollar of the
funds passing through his hands.
(See reports, page-.) While the books
were not kept as we'll as an expert ac-
countant might wish, it is gratifying
to state that they were kept with ab-
solute accuracy and honesty.
t'Greenville county: Your atten-
ton was called in my last report, to
a partial investigation made in this
eoanty by Mr.. E. B. Wilson, chief Of
clerk, and Mr.. D. II. Wise Of Aiken !;
that it appeared from their report
that there was balance due by the
s1=treasurer Of $2,352; that the bond
ed indebtness Of the county was found
to be $1S4,500; outstanding notes.,
eeuntersigned by the treasurer and
charged to him, $94,712.l2, that the
floating indebtness could not be fixed,
bat the investigation showed notes
$3s,SOO, and outstanding claims, $685.
for money borrowed outstanding
012.09 that none Of the notes designa-
ted as floating indebtness were coun-
tersigned by the treasurer, as requir-
ed by law, nor was one dollar OF this
$3S,S00 paid into the county treasurer
to be distributed according to law;
that, in my opinion, none Of these
notes were a valid debt against the
county. In the investigation it ap-
!: peared that the late master Of Green
vile county held some $4,000 in
claims against the county; that none
> Of the floating indebtness, which IN
sl1ded the borrowed money appearing
4pen the county supervisors books,
and NO record could be found showing
that any entry had been made OF his
aeating indebtedness.
"A joint resolution was passed ap-
peinting a commission to Investigate
the affairs Of Greenville county. I
have therefore, taken no futher steps
i'm the matter.
"Colleton county: A thorough IN
vestigation was made Of the treasur-
er's books, covering period Of FIVE
years. A number of small dis
crepancies were discovered, in all
amounting to about 500. will state,
in Justice to Mr.. Smith, the treasurer,
that while he did not agree with the
finding Of the expert, he made good
the 500, as appears from the GER
tiicates Of the banks on file in this
effiee.
.tDorchester county: A thorough IN
vestigation was made Of the books
and accounts Of the treasurer OF Dor
chester county, which reveals short
age of $2,164.94 The facts uncovered
in this investigation were reported to
his excellency the governor, and Mr..
Whetsell was removed and T. J. Muir
ray appointed in his stead. Mr.. Whet-
sell has. since his removal, paid up the
shortage.
"Edeefeld county: DR.. J. T. Pat
tison. county treasurer, and Mr.. Hal
tiwanger. county auditor, officially
called my attention to the fact that,
in making up the annual settlement, a
shortage Of several thousand dollars
appeared in the cash balances. I'm
mediately an investigation was made