The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1909-02-04
REPORT
OF State Examiner On
City Departments
Received
COMMENDS OFFICIALS

ObdCS bAdnllnST JdChSOn, WuO spent
much time in Canton previous to the
holidays in making an examination OF
the books in the different departments
of the city, has had copies Of his re-
port returned to officials in this city.
He commends the officials for their
efficiency and points out few tech
nical violations of the code. The per-
iod covered by the examination Is
from September 19, 1907, to October
~, 1908. The following are the more
important parts of his findings:
A discrepancy of $2,707.95 was found
in the treasurer's books, due the re-
port says to the failure of the Can
ton State bank, the receivers for
which have yet to account for the sum
of $6,495.76 due the city.
Under the head of over and unoer
payments the examiner says tnat
1880 was paid James Miller from
the public safety fund instead of
1890 due and that the city is en-
titled to return of 81. He also finds
that an under payment of "a cents
was made Fire Chief Mesnar from the
safety fund.
Under illegal payments the exam
iner finds that on December 2, 1907,
Charles Mckenzie was paid $3.50 for
harness repairing; on December 28.
1907, Charles Mckenzie was paid $1.20
for harness repairs, and on August 10
1908, he was paid $1.85 for brushes,
q total of $7.55. "Mr. Fred H. Sanders,
member OF council, is business part
ner of Mr.. Charles Mckenzie, reads
ha iT1ea
believes that the sale Of supplies to
the city by said firm to be in con-
travention of the spirit of the law
as set forth in section 45 M. c., 6969
6976, of the Revised Statutes Of Ohio.'
Examiner Jackson also finds that
on July 10, 1903, H. w. Smith, chief
of police, was allowed $3.50 for en-
tertaining. THE $3.50 paid to H. w.
Smith, chief of police, was for enter
tanning officers from other cities on
show day. July 8, 1908, which your
examiner believes to be unauthorized
by law"
Examiner Jackson found funds in
possession of the treasurer or on de-
pOsit in local banks amounting to
$282, 1920 on October 22, 1908. In the
city treasury, undeposited, the money
amounting to $826.17. The balance was
deposited in banks.
1.-THE books and accounts of the city
treasurer are kept in an excellent
manner, and all balances were found
TO agree with the several auditing de-
partments,' says the repolt.
Council has never designated city
depository, the public funds of the .ity
being deposited in the banks at The
selection of the city treasurer, and
by an understanding made by the city
treasurer with the several banks serv-
ing as such repositories" continues
the report.
Concerning the department of City
/ Auditor Armstrong Ashbrook, the re-
port says: "The books in this de-
partment are kept in a good manner
and the uniform system of accounting
prescribed by the bureau is being
carefully followed. All vouchers with
original bills enclosed were filed in
consecutive order according to war
rant number, and the same were check
ed with the auditors warrant regis
ter. Copies of all contracts are on
file in this Office; also, the original
bonds of all city officials are on file
except the bond of the city auditor
which is on file in the Office of The
mayor.
mo record is made of official bonds
as required by the Revised Statutes
The attention OF the auditor was di.
rected to the section of the statutes
requiring all Official bonds to be re.
corded, and he promised to secure a
book and comply with the section Nc
Overdrafts in funds or in appropria.
tions or diversions of same were noted
during the period covered by the ex-
animation"
The examiner reports that the to.
tai fines, costs and patrol wagon costs
assessed for violation of the penal or.
dinances OF the city covering the rer.
iOd from September 10, 1907, to Octo,
Der %, 1908, as shown by the docket
in the mayors Office amounted to 81 ;,
493 and the amount collected to 1888.
90. For violations of the statutes
during the same period the total
amount assessed was $3,777.25 and the
amount collected $S2S. The number ot
eases filed under the ordinances wat
121 and Flnder the statutes 1872. The
collections for licenses and permits
totaled $899.55.
Mayor Turnbull has placed into the
city treasury, or has cash on banC
TO account for all fines and costs col
lected In city cases, and for all H.
eenses collected, says the report. His
deposits with the county treasurer ant
cash on hand balance with his collec
tions of fines and costs for use Of
city patrol wagon in state cases.
However" 1t reads, your exami
ner finds that under the provisions o.
an ordinance passed February 13, 1882
makes 1t unlawful for exhibitions
shows, rinks, etc, to exhibit within
the city unless the mayor shall issue
q license for same, and for every IL
cense 30 issued a certain fee sbal
be collected, but your examiner fall
"a find any account of any receipts
having been collected for such licenses
and desires to call the honorable may
Or'B attention to the ordinance"
The examiner says that the dock
cts are we'll kept and the entries o
all collections In cash book greatly
Assisted in the verification OF the re
ceipts of this department. Likewis'
Clerk Henry Paulus is commended fol
the excellent records Of the board o
public safety.
The records and files of the boart
Of public service, Of which Charles A
kellers Is clerk, are stated to have
been found kept in good shape. Th'
examiner says that he made a careful
audit of the receipts Of all department.
under the supervision of the servers