The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1907-12-06

public records and that all city officials
made every effort to facilitate the work
OF examination.
Perhaps the most important part OF
tho report, from the point Of Wow OF
| the average taxpayer was that which
refers TO the condition of-the sinking
fund and the refunding of bonds. The
report showed that the auditors bal
cncC was sGI.39G.25 and treasurer's
balance OF S6i,573.53, due to Si77.9i
which had been received as interest on
deposits.
The examiner suggests that the In
debtedness of the city be Ihore prompt.
ly paid on and in this connection says:
when 1t is considered that the gen.
e'al sinking fund has for five months
carried an actual balance OF s65,000,
| cannot understand the necessity for
falling TO pay upon bonds and coupons
when due. Bonds and interest charges
should be paid when due IL funds are
available therefor. The interest re-
ceiyed from the depository for the use
OF public funds does not meet the In
terest charges by. one-half The prlnci'
pal cause OF the difficulty Is that coun'
ell In recent years has not provided
the funds to meet the city's portion OF
: pecial assessment improvements.
"The attention OF the trustees" the
report continues, rs called to the fact
that the code says they are required
to invest all moneys received by them
In bonds. The maintenance Df a
large balance In contravention OF the
spirit OF tho law. and the situation
presented OF a city having total boao-
ed Indebtedness OF sl.40O.000. one-half
OF which amount has been refunded,
and yet neither an Investment nor 9TH
er provisions made for the ultimate
redemption of such Indebtedness, de-
mands serious thought on the part OF
the present commission. A definite
policy looking to the final redemp-
tion OF the debt of the city should be
inaugurated by the board and strictly
adhered TO in the future"
The report finds the condition OF the
treasury satisfactory and shows that
the funds OF the city are deposited In
various local banks. selected by the
treasurer with the consent Of his
surety. and that they are drawing In
terest at the rate of two and one-half
per cent.
Reference Is also made TO the city's
deficit through the failure OF the Can
ton State bank. II now amounts TO
SIS, 5,633.56 and II is said another diyi-
dend will be paid and that the sure
ties stand ready to make the balance
good so soon as the exact amount Is
made known.
The condition OF the auditors books
Is also found to be satisfactory.
Reference is made to the warrants
drawn in favor OF several local firms
members OF which are in some way
connected with the city government
and It is pointed out that the interest
OF such officials in oity contracts Ia
plainly illegal. The payment OF the
expenses OF the fro and police chiefs
W haliOuai Coh'ohNiOho ~ eAsO W.
demned as illegal.
The report on the mayors ONCE re-
fers most pointedly to the number OF
fines RENTED. II is pointed out that
the law governing this point provides
that fines are susceptible to revision.
modification or suspension but when
Imposed cannot be remitted.
The method OF bookkeeping employ
ed by the board OF public service Ia
found satisfactory but 1t Is suggested
that care should be taken that copies
of every contract made be nled with
the auditor.
Some suggestions are made In regard
to the keeping OF receipts by the city
engineer. The books OF the city clerk
were commended and the legal depart.
ment OF the city came In for word
OF praise.
In conclusion the report refers to the
report made a year ago In which q
finding of ti3S7.4b was MADE against
ex-Mayor Smith for retentioli Of fees
II was said. Tuesday. however, that no
legal action was taken because s..ailar
cases had been PASSED on aRd fees had
been allowed Ia cities whore there was
~ police court Judge. -
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