Norwich bulletin., 1909-12-04

During the administration of Mayor Armstrong there was more auditing of public accounts than ever before and general system of bookkeeping was adopted that resulted for the public Deneht. An ordinance was adopted aH- thorizing the finance committee to ap- point an auditor of city accounts anu to make audit whenever called upon. The company engaged c. Frederick Washburne, who certainly IS dn exl,,Tt in that line, and his work has been in every way satisfactory. It is not heavy salaried position and the fees collected do not foo up |; very Firge amount. bus add tha. to what he has makes just little bit more. and helps pay the bills of the man O. family It was supposed to be a life job for Mr. Washburne, even if it vas q part of his duties to audit t:ie accounts Of administrations that preceded that of Mayor Armstrong.
 It now appears that the present mayor wants change and a substi- tute has been named for Mir. Wash burne, the new candidate for the place being Frederick c. Fengar. who de clined nomination on the democratic ticket at the last election thus show ing his self-sacrifiee for party ad NdiCtlllcnl. put lntTc W dS HO ltklll- mate pay in the office he declined. but there is a dollar or two connected with the position of auditor of city accounts. MT. Fengar is an excellent bookkeeper, that is. he is classed as Al at figures. He was bookkeeper for the Thames Towboat company for several years, resigning to enter the government service as deputy collec- tor of the port of New London. with a snug salary. under the first Cleve- land administration. Since them he has held several positions and is. al present in the employ of the Fergusons at Fishers island.
 Mir. Fengar of late years has drilled in the Mahan squad of the democratic party and has served the city as coun- cilman. When the office of clerk to the board of assessors with a salary of s1.500 was created, it was common talk that the creation was for MT. Fen gar, but in that there was disappoint- ment. Mir. Fengar received the dem ocratic nomination. but a republican won at the election and has held the best office within the gift of the city ever since.
 While Mir. Fengar may be well qual- flied for the auditorship. the republi- can members of the finance commit tee can see no valid reason why he should replace MT. Washburne. whose competency is unQuestioned. and who needs the money more than does the seeker for the appointment The f- nance committee is composed of two republicans and one democrat, with Mayor Mahan a member ex-officio The mayor and the democratic mem Der want Fengsr and Fengar wants the appointment. while the two re- publicans favor Washburn and he is favorable to holding the position.
 So. at this writing, there is no new appointment and Mir. Washburne con- tinues as auditor. He is sure to re- main, provided the republican mem bers of the finance committee remain steadfast In the event ef the ap- pointment being referred to the court of scommon council. MT Washburne would surely ee chosen, as he woula receive the full party vote and per haps a democratic vote or two for good measure. There is evident disposition by the new mayor to put Fengar in Washburnes place and should he sue ceed it would be traversing a long dis taince to get even with the auditor because it was put up to him to ex- anime the accounts of the administra- : ton that preceded Mayor Armstrong The auditor did not find anything of an discriminating nature and therefore it Is not plain just how or when he provoked the enmity of anyone con nected with that or the present ad- ministration.
 Unless the remedy is applied before the frost gets deep into the ground there will be need for increased ap- propriation for the care of the streets and gutters, and it will be demonstrate ed that it was not economy after all