Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1911-04-27
The Towns Financial Statement.

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Editor Register-The financial state
ment of our town affairs, published in last
weeks papers, seems TO be not at all
clear to our citizens, and though the wri-
ter has talked with many of our people
who have had experieHce!ln making up
formeristatements, none seems,to under
stand it.
The State law provides that this state
ment be published annually, and that it
be sworn to by the mayor, recorder and
two councilmen, and that all expendi-
lures and receipts be itemized, showing
clearly from whom all moneys were re-
ceived, and to whom paid and for what
purposes and that it be shown to what
date interest is paid on public debt. This
report is not signed by either mayor or
recorder, and nothing to designate the Of
fetal character of the signerS.
Six hundred dollars is shown as re-
funded for saloon licenses, but it is not
shown where same was received, in eth
er treasurer's or sergeant's statement.
The treasurer is charged with several
items twice, but the average citizen will
not so understand. The sergeanPs set
Element is one hundred dollars out OF bal
ance, and he seems to have beenallowed
commission on delinquent and erroneous
taxes, which amounted 10 a high record
sum.
A 1886 order for pipe seems paid twice,
although the firm in question reports only
one sale. Another $l2.23 amount seems
to cover four smaller items. A rebate
from the lighting company OF $ll2OS is
reported in the receipts, and disburSe-
ment of same amount. 1t was reported
on the day OF settlement that the ptesi-
dent OF the light company settled by
small check the balance owing the town,
so such large order could not have been
issued. The writer, however, has no per-
sonal knowledge of this transaction.
An amount of twenty dollars was paid
to the town in settlement of an appealed
case. The treasurer takes credit for dis
burSement OF costs, but does not charge
amount received.
The sergeant seems to have been paid
larger amounts than his salary, probably
for advances to laborers, but it is not so
stated
Notwithstanding the recorder is sup
posed TO perform the clerical work, an
extra amount is paid out for such ser
vices.
1t is supposed that money was Dor
rowed during the year to pay necessary
bills, until the years taxes began to come
in, but the interest paid is not itemlzed,
and the items OF interest and coupons
show such a large amount that some cou-
pons must have remained unpaid from
former year, although last years report
showed no such Indebtedness.
No salaries are shown for mayor, re-
corder, counciImen, attorney, nor tees
for election officers. II unpaid, they
should have been shown in the indebt-
edness column at head OF report, and
these paid would show that the year was
closed with deficit.
The writer disclaimS any idea OF show
ing intentional wrongdoing upon the part
OF our town officials, but it certainly
seems that the only purpose tor which
the statement is published is defeated.
1t seems that orders are issued at any
time and bills are not always passed by
the council in session, and even an APP
plication from the sergeant for an advance
in salary. was quickly shifted 10 a COM
mittee without discussion by the council.
No one begrudgeS the sergeanthiS salary,
but outside OF the collection OF taxes the
duties of the sergeant are very light,
months now going by without arrests.
One-fifth of our total receipts seems
large amount for police service.
If committees are 10 uSurp the tunc-
tons of the council, it might as we'll not
meet and save the fees.
The writer hopes that an explanation
will be made so that our citizens will I'M
derstand and criticism be ended. 5.