The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1909-08-14

Fred Brinkman, Alderman 4th
w. A. Gould Alderman at
/ large. 25.OO
Amounts 1 paid Geo. Fuller for band band
leader, $4,000; J. Graham, director of
band, 5000, and room rent for band,
are all improper charges against the
city.
Contingent funds drawn by former
Mayor Carter, Chairman Gould and
present Mayor Pogue, neither of them
have ever made any report to council
drawn. A report should be made to
council showing what the funds have
been expended for.
The bills of the city are nearly all
in proper shape, properly item1Zed
and verified, except those of the city
clerk, where he verifies his own.
Bills for the monthly city pay roll
made out by the Clerk and by him
verified before himself. In the min
utes Of the proceedings Of the council
these bills are not entered at length,
but punched as lefty pay roll" Same
applies to clerks entry in his record
of warrants issued, in that record the
same entry is made and warrants
punched, both Of these punching hab-
it's should be discontinued and every
bill show for itself, both in the min
utes of the council proceedings and
those of warrants issued.
Clerks Minute Book.
The clerks minute book, proceed
ings Of council, is carefully kept, eX-
cept that Of punching the city pay
roll items, and also the punching Of
the "Street gang" expenditures, re-
ported by street commissioner: These
should be entered at length, both in
minute book and in the register of
warrants issued
Duties of the City Clerk.
"He shall keep regular books of
accounts, which shall at all times,
show the precise financial condition
Of the city, record of all bonds, or
ders, warrants, Or other evidence or
Indebtedness issued, record Of all
orders, bonds, warrants, or other evil
dence Of Indebtedness which have
been redeemed, and the amount of
each outstanding.
Said book shall contain separate ac-
counts with the different city officers
and the various funds of the city, and
the amounts, date and purpose of each
appropriation He shall record. at
length all official or other bonds run
ming to the city of Bemidji, excepting
only the bonds of the clerk and treas
urer, which shall be recorded in the
office of the Register Of Deeds.
He shall keep an accurate account
of all fees received and report to the
city council annually in January
Above is copied from the charter for
the purpose of showing how far its
requirements are complied with.
A ledger was started some time ago,
but accounts never even all entered
for lack of time.
The Register Of receipts and dis
bursements is a splendid book, but too
many items neglected from it's entry.
This applies equally to the amounts
received by the clerk as we'll as to the
amounts paid into the treasury by the
clerk. Besides the number of entries
forgotten, in order that a perfect rec
ord be kept as required, each and
every item of collections by the clerk
should be entered as received and not
| punched, so that no one can tell what
| the collections are for, and apply this
same remark also to the amount when
paid into the treasury, each should
show for themselves, so that the
items may be identified and checked.
And it would be an improvement If
some of the entries were added. They
should be addedgat least once a month,
and entered in the ledger to the re-
spective funds and accounts.
A trial balance could then be made
at the first meeting of each month of
the council, and they would be in pO-
sition to know just where they were
at and could act accordingly.
Notes on Some of City Clerks Entries.
| Liquor Licenses paid in installments:
No. 3d. June 80, 1908.
Jens M. Hansen.
June 8th-Application. .. IS 1000
(This is short $4,000
Dec. 18th, 1908.
Martin A. Rosen .$5l9.l8
" 1 year and IA days.
| The extra time charged for is with
out any authority, council granting
| license for the term of one year, and
if applications are not made in time
the saloon keepers have no other re-
source than to close until the license
is granted by the council. The clerk
| is entirely wrong in collecting any
amount in excess Of amount Of license
set by the city council.
No. 81. June 18th, 1908.
L. Bloosten.
2 Billiards Pool table IL
Stub Endorsed .pay June 22nds 'os."
| I am unable to find payment.
No. r.. Aug. 10th, 1908.
| John Streeter.
Dray Lcense-for overtime ~ 8.15
Paid on account ...... 1886
Bal. due 8.15
| No. 81. July 18th, 1907.
PaWnee Bills Historic Wild
! West Co. :. :. IS 1870
! Not entered by clerk.
| No. 159. July 9Th, 1908.
/ NJ G.. Slocum, j. P.
| Report for June IS 5000
Not entered by clerk.
No. pa Mar. 9th, 1909.
VIM. McQuaig Water Clerk $500. 0C
Entered by treasurer in his receipt
but no entries by clerk.
No. 148. Mar End, '08.
! M. G. Slocum, j. P.
Fines ....$ 22.Ot
! No entry Of by clerk.