The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1911-04-04
Is MATTER OF RECOVERING LILLE.
cALlY TAKEN FUNDS.
Public Growing Anxious for Action
Upon Report Of the Auditing
Commission.

Three months OF the administration
OF the new Board OF County Commits
sioners have now passed with no out
ward signs OF any pronounced effort
upon the part OF the board TO recover
moneys Illegally appropriated by for
mer commissioners. Two years have
passed since the audit OF the county's
books was made by the New York
Audit Company and the misappropri-
alton OF funds revealed. Almost a
year has passed since the filing Of q
report by a special commission ap-
pointed by the Circuit Court to ex-
anime the accounts and transactions
OF former boards of commissioners.
This report not only confirmed the re-
port OF the auditing company. but
went more into detail, and showed
Interpretations amounting to about
$4,000 in all.
Peculiar Situation.
In the light OF these facts Il seems
peculiar, to say the least, that no ef-
fort has been put forth to recover the
money Illegally taken from the county
treasury. Before the old board OF
commissioners retired from Office
Prosecuting Attorney ]. B. Handlan
submitted recommendations that he
be permitted to institute PROCEEDINGS
to recover the monies. but his recon-
mendations were tabled. II was the
popular impression that when the new
regime assumed control the first of
the year that favorable action upon
Mr.. Handlan's recommendation would
speedily be taken, but so far nothing
OF this nature has been done, and the
investigation has come to be regarded
by the public as more or less of n
Joke.
About ten days ago the report OF
the auditing commission was brought
to the attention OF the present board
OF commissioners, but action was de-
ferred in order to permit Commits
sioner Woods to familiarize himself
with its contents, he not having been
member OF the old board to which
the report was referred Immediately
after 1t had been submitted TO the
Circuit court.
Must Go On Record.
II is understood that the recon-
mendations Of Prosecutor Handlan
which were tabled by the old board
have been submitted to present board
and some action. It is said, will be
taken soon. II can be definitely
stated, however. that the matter will
again be brought TO the attention OF
the board. and that body will then
have to 20 on record either one way
or another.
A Court Decision.
Already one court decision has
been obtained to sustain the opinion
OF the auditing commission that
moneys taken by commissioners in
payment for services as overseers OF
the poor and for attending committee
meetings. were taken Illegally. This
decision was handed down by the
Circuit court n few months ago, it
being the result OF a controversy be
tween Prosecuting Attorney Handlan
and the old board over the legality
/ OF commissioners collecting "A salary
for services rendered as overseers OF
| the poor and for attending committee
meetings.
II will be remembered that man
damus proceedings were instituted by
/ Commissioner Bremen, OF the old
board. TO compel President Kress and
Clerk Frank 20 sign warrants upon
the county treasury for his per diem
as an overseer OF the poor and for
attending committee meetings. The
Z courts opinion was TO tho effect that
commissioners could not collect for
services so rendered.
No Difficulty Anticipated.
With this opinion having been rem
dered. Prosecuting Attorney Handlan
has time and AGAIN indicated his be
lief that no difficulty would be encoun.
tered In obtaining judgments against
commissioners who have collected Der
diem for services as overseers OF the
poor, or for attending committee meet.
lnga
Tho question IS one OF great pub
Tic interest, and every development
viii be watched with great interest
As the matter stands now. Il e. up 10
the commissioners 10 instruct the
Prosecuting Attorney 10 institute pro.
ceedings 10 recover the money owing
10 the taxpayers OF the county.
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