The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1911-01-14

W tllC SuSSCSllOllS liduC ny
State Auditor Ash in his last
report to the Governor. The sug-
gestions are numerous and COM
mendabie, and Mr.. Ash says he finds
himself discouraged that his sugges
lions are not more regarded in the
conduct OF the public offices which he
is called upon to examine. Let Us
hint that perhaps the State Auditor
would find less cause for discourage
ment, would see more valuable results
achieved a.ong the line OF his fer
tile suggestions, il his own sincerity
along these lines were not so GEN
ERALL4 questioned. Suppose we
illustrate just what we m'an by way
OF making our point clearer and more
impressive.
Mr.. Ash complains OF the Clerks of
the Courts not making full and prompt
reports, turning the excess fees OF
their offices over to the State Treas
ury'; also OF their failure to keep the
records On their offices up to date,
leaving large amount OF unfinished
work to be done at the close of the
Clerks term, and such excess as may
properly be due to the State is con-
sumed IN completing the record" This
is very proper and just criticism, but
it comes with i'll grace from State
Auditor Ash. The people OF this
county will recall that what Mr. Ash
says here is exactly the criticism
which we made two years ago against
the then incumbent OF our own Clerk S
Office. The facts justified that criti-
cism. Mr.. Ash knew that the facts
justified it, Indeed the present Clerk
OF the Court, Cecil Kirk, has now
docketed suit against the former Clerk
to recover the sum OF SI33So7, which
he was compelled 10 pay out for the
completion OF the unfinished work lett
over by his predecessor. And yet in
the face OF al this, the people will re-
call that on the Saturday prior to the
election OF 1900 (whcn a new Clerk
was to be elected Mr. Ash came out
in his paper, TIE Cecil Democrat, Civ
in gthe Clerks office a clear bill of
heath and declaring that our criticisms
Oh that Office had no foundation what
ever. How can such man expect his
suggestions, as to the Improvement
OF the conduct OF public office, to have
any proper weight? How can such a
man expect his influence to count Tor
Improvement until he learns to
deal with the people honestly and fear
lessly, and stops indulging in mislead-
ing statements for political effect? 1t
is not worth while Tor a man to pirate
about his 'discouragements' in his
attempts at reforming things, when
he himself so far forgets his obliga-
tons as public official, as to make
such statements as Mr. Ash made in
this county when we were STRIVING to
bring about better state OF things III
Our own Clerks office.
2. Or take another illustration. Mr..
Ash complains of the practice on the
part OF Sheriffs, OF taking their books
with them upon retirement from Office
This is proper complaint and a prac-
tice which should be stopped. But,
for the life OF us, we cannot see how
this interferes with the Auditors per-
Torrance OF HIS duty He is sup.
posed to examine the office and audit
the accounts, WHILE THE INCUM-
BENT is STILL THERE. That is
what the Auditor is for and has &C
cess to the Office at any time for that
very purpose. Just by way of exam
pie, let us take the case OF the last
Sheriff OF Cecil county. In the Comp
troller's report for 1909 Sheriff Hager
reports his receipts for the year as
$7,22362. He reports his disburse-
ments as follows:
Paid Deputy ................S 800 oc
Paid extra deputies, car fare
ond domestics ............. 8454e