The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-10-02
THE coMMrTrEE REPORT.

SuAnters .. ~, sept. 2Sth, 1909.
Mr.. Mayor;
We. your committee, appointed to
receive and check over the report of
Mr.. w. w. Harralsen. public account
ant. made June eth. 1909. beg to sub
NIT that we have examined the report
and f,nd ir, 1t more errors (made in
about 80 days) than occurred in the
Clerk and Treasurer's Office in four
years. To make an itemixed statement
of the errors would take a great deal
of time and cover almost as much
space as the very voluminous report
made BY Mr.. Harralson. We have to
return yotl the report with the in
formation that "Falsus in uno, falsus
In ompibu,f'it does not give us what
we asked for, or what we paid for.
viz; q correct account OF the transac-
Tons s0f Vie cssy sss.!ees for tho past
four Yeas, In that there are 80 many
ito USE Mr.. Harralsons exprsss,on)
"culpAble" errors In II that we arc not
prepared to say, that we have true
condition of affairs. We would IKE TO
state further that there have been
strenuous efforts on the part OF your
committee. and others, whose interest
We have ealisted In this matter, to get
Mr.. Harralscn to return TO Sumter
and make his report in person, and
explain what your committee calls
very gross carelessness or something
OF that sort on his part in the making
up. of his statment. which to our mind
renders Void all his work, and makes
US feel that for the money we paid
out We have received nothing at his
hands. but most vicious letter. CAL
culated 4 blast the name of our
Treasurer. our Counen and our City.
This committee feels outraged that II
has TO publish such scathing article
about our public cfIcers, unless the
report warranted 1t, and we most en-
phaticaily deny that said report, even
If taken. as written by him, would
warrant such a denunciatiou OF cur
public officials. further, we did not
know that we were engaging the SER
vices OF an expert accountant, with
vices OF tan expert writer of Billings
gate. nor an adviser, but the services
OF an expert accountant, which in our
Judgment we did not get. We think
for the enlightenment cs the public
the letter and report should be pub
lished. and that same as published
should be made part of our minutes,
and to be open at all times to any
citizen who cares to examine them.
We have found that the errors made
by our Clerk and Treasurer amount
To IL lac per month against the city
for the four years. as to the amount
or money saved to the city by this Of
ficer. we are not prepared to say. but
We do feel that we have a most ex-
celient officer in the person of our
present Clerk and Treasurer, taking
for basis OF his excellence the bare
report. as made by Mr.. Harralson. but
OF course. excluding the letter accom-
pnnying same, and cannot but resent
the insinuations Of this expert audi
tor. Mr.. Harralson. The parts Of this
report referring to the affairs of the
water company. we leave to the Wa
ter Commission for investigation aid
action a., they see fit. We are sorry
indeed tO have to make such a report
on the finding Of Mr.. Harralson, but
we have delayed already too long. and
In extenuation OF this delay will say.
that We had no other motive than
that Mr.. Harralson should return anu
make the report in person. 80 that
ne would have n chance to clear up
much o. this harshness. II ne could.
We have failed to get him and now
make this our final report, and ask
your honor to accept It, the same az