The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1908-01-03
BERKELEY'S TREASURERSHoRT
Mr.. Edwards Says That He is Pre-
pared to Make Good the
Difference.

COlumDld, Jdiludly I.-COu ptlollol
General Jones has reported to the
Governor that all examination Of the
books Of the auditor and treasurer OF
Berkeley county Show condition OF
affairs that justifies the attention OF
the governor. The treasurer, Mr..
John O. Edwards, is stated to be snort
over $4,000, but this does not neces-
sarily mean that the treasurer is gull
! ty Of peculation, since the shortage
may be due to errors Of bookkeeping,
Mr.. Jones has a telegram from Mr..
Edwards today stating that he has
the money to cover the shortage.
The auditor, Mr.. C. NJ. Wiggins, is
reported for "grossest neglect and
careiessness," and the statements
made by the experts in regard to the
auditors books are very strong, to
say the least.
Governor Ansel under the law has
the power to suspend the officers
named and to report their cases to
the senate, but he had not had the
opportunity today to look into the
matter and has not announced his de-
termination in the premises.
The letter of Comptroller General
Jones to the governor, which sets
forth the matter in detail, is as fol-
lows:
Columbia, S. c., Dec. 81, 1907.
To His Excellency, Governor Mar
tin F. Ansel, Columbia, S. C.-Dear
Sir: have had an examination made
Of the books and accounts Of Mr.. C.
NJ. Wiggins, county auditor, and Mr..
John O. Edwards, county treasurer,
of Berkeley county, and find from
the report Of Messrs. F. B. Wilson
and D. H. Wise, both expert account
ants employed by this office, that the
tax books of the county auditors Of
See shcw the most flagra1t neglect,
errors and omissions both il the du-
plicates and abstracts in the offic
Property returns on which the taxes
amounted to $66SS7 were not charg-
ed to the treasurer. and other omis
sinrs amounting tc $57.62 in the
books of 1906. Errors and omissions
were found in the duplicates Of 1905
aegreeating $32O.7S. making the to-
tai omissions $1.047.27. The county
auditor has failed fer the past four
wears, 1904 to 1907, inclusive, to en-
| ter the taxes to be collected upon
his duplicate. The treasurer's du-
plieate, his warrant for the collec-
tion Of taxes for 1907. is not added,
neither the property nor taxes ex-
eepting the special school and spe-
cial local county tax. The examina-
tion Of the county auditors office
| shows the grossest neglect and care
}essness on the part Of County Audi
tor C. NJ. Virgins.
The annual settlement between
the county auditor and county treas
! urer for tne taxes Of 1906 made the
3eth day Of June, 1907, revealed a
shortage in the treasurer's accounts
Of 1868; this according to the coun-
ty auditors certificate showing the
cash on hand and in bank Of tnat
date. The treasurer's accounts were
checked mp. to aad including Decem-
Der 10th, which reveall1 shortage
in the accounts Of Mr.. joan 0. Ed
wards, county treasurer, amounting
to $5,07043: that amount being the
difference between the amour: Of
funds with which he is properly
chargeable and the amount Of cash
he has in hand. I. therefore, report
the matter to your Excellency in or
der that YOU may take such action
as you may deem proper.
! Respectfully,
A. W. Jones,
Comptroller General.
Mr.. Jones wired Mr.. Edwards as
follows:
"John O. Edwards. County Treas
urere, Moncks' Corner, S. c.: Wire
quick if you have funds on hand
! to cover Deficiency.
"a. W. Jones. Comptroller General" :"
The following reply was received:
"a. W. Jones. Comptroller Gener-
al. Columbia. S. C.:-Answering your
wira this date will answer YES.
~. O. Edwards.' -