The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-10-18
DR.. ]. P. .G|lL|AM
SAID TO Be SHORT
COUNTY TREASURER OF CHEs-
TERRIFIED Will MAKE
AMOUNT coon.
COVERS FOUR YEARS
RELIEVED THAT DISCREPANCIES
WE'RE DUE TO CARE
I1ESSNISSS AND
COVERS FOUR YEARS

became publicly known that the BOOKS |
Of the county treasurer, DIR. J. =. Gil |
liam. Ia regard TO the collection or
school funds showed a shortage OF
about 81, 600. In addition To this there
is due the school fund by the treas
urer about $4,000 which last sum has
been entered to the proper credit OF
Inc fund. making total Of $4,000.
The examination OF the treasurers
books covered only the period OF four
Years past. II viii be continued four
years back Of that TO ascertain wheth-
er or Not there are other shortages in
she trtasurers accounts, In other
words the examination completed dates
hack from 1907 while the further ex-
animation VIII 20 back to 1909.
The county treasurer. DR.. j. p. Gill
liam, ia an old man, seventy years or
age, and has held the office for nearly
twenty years. He declined recollection
al the last primary. and his term of
office VIII soon expire. DIR. Gillian is
held in esteem by the people OF Ches-
terfield county, and there is no one
who believes the shortage is due TO
anything other than a lack Of ability
to keep the BOOKS in proper shape, or
careiessness In the method of keeping
the accounts.
is Ready to Pay Up.
tuAiIE~iAdAEiE AGiO@Dlk Tic
ment Judge Mason. the commissioner
of accounts. stated to the county board
of supervisors that DR.. Gillian was
ready tc settle the accounts from his
private funds. II rs held by the friends
OF Or. Gillian that II all such books
were more regularly audited by ex-
pert accountants the shortage would
not have occurred. and that 1t came
through n simple nlismanaxemsnt of
he J.s witt fy,fa <.x AxsSv
This is generally accepted as q fact.
DR.. Gillian is believed to be Gble to
make good all claims that could be
made on him for shorta ges and this
as protection, as we'll as the bond
of office. would prevent any losses
The case Is regarded as one OF many
that might come up were the State
laws more rigid TO prevent or detect
sech errors in the accounts OF county or
city officials.
Some weeks ago several citizens
from Chesterfield called on and asked
the advice vi the State Accountant,
Captain Carlton Mccarthy. These cit
liens stated that they believed there
were errors of one form or another in
the books Of the treasurer. AZ related
TO the school funa>.
Captain Mccarthy was asked to
give written opinion as to the con-
lief that the hooks should be audited
This was presented to the board of
SUPERVISORS, who requested Captain
Mccarthy to take the matter up for
them.
Captain Mccarthy under authority
OF The board of supervisors employed
Messrs. Henry r and Thomas Boudar.
father and son, well known expert
accountants, and these gentlemen be-
gan the NJ nation ~ he tor a
existing between the schools of the
county ard the treasurers Office. Their
report covered thirty pages OF type
written copy and was exhaustive.
JUDGE Mason Surpr1sed.
when the county supervisors were
called into session the report thus
Psthered was presented to them Then
commenced spirited meeting In
winch Captain Mccarthy and Judge
Mason. exchanged several very point
ca remarks, regarding the examine
ton that had been conducted.
Judge Mason stated that he was sur
prfsed that the examiners had not al
lowed himself and DR.. Gillian, the
treasurer to have knowledge OF the
examination as 1t progressed
Inc Messrs Boudar declared tina,
though DR.. Gillian had offered them
assistance, they felt that they were
under obligation to continue the In.
Nestigation without such assistance
making their report to the board firsi
of all.
Judge Mason suggested that IL fur.
tner examination Is made he felt tina,
the. examiners should be directed 70
allow both himself and DR.. Gillian
the right to be kept posted on the
procedure.
c/ptain Mccarthy did not thinl
Judge Mason then stated that &,
fhe assistance of himself and pr
Gillian. the treasurer. were not de-
sired they might under the circum.
stances decline to give such aid II
wanted.
To this Captain Mccarthy replied
that 1t was not a matter of choice
with the commissioner Of account,
or the treasurer. that they could anc
would be summoned and forced Il
appear, If they were desired, and
that It would not be left for them
to say.
5e*@ 1asse~tign ~ School Tax
The question Of fixing the count,
and city levy OF taxes for school pur
poses which had been delayed on &C
count Of other matters also formed
an important part of the discussion
OF the board.
Senator Watkins, who was present
asked that the regular levy OF 81
cents on county and district funds b.
made for school purposes and that ,
special levy be also made to pay OF
the Indebtedness for the new schoo
at Midlothian. such levy to be /,
cents.
DIR. Charles NJ. Hazerx the count,
superintendent OF schools, endorse,
the request. He declared money wa
needed for building purposes.
Comm onweajth Attorney Grekor,
stated that he had for thirty year
been n warm friend ~ the schools
but indicated that II was his opinfo,
that the supervisors should not con
tinue the levy Of last year. H
thought the people Of the count,
might Ges!re d vote on the matter
Mr.. James Bslfwood took up tn
matter of the treasurers Office an,
stated that he favored a fun exami
nation Of the books OF that Office
He advised the board to go slow o.
the levy for school taxes
Superintendent OF Public Instruc
ton Joseph y. Eggleston, who wa
present. declared that the school
needed money badly; that many Q
the county schools were in had shape
Some OF the schools. he said, wer
unsanitary. for Lack OF funds, an
might have TO DO closed. He though
Il absurd 20 think of reducing IN