The Raymer enterprise., 1911-11-23
GRAND JURY CR|T|CISES
COMMISSIONERS SEVERELY
Two of Present Board Indicted
Sheriff Judge and Treasur-
or Commended. lnves-
tigatlon Of Clerk In
complete. Recon-
nends changes

the news of what goes on at the coun-
ty seat reaches these parts, we give
the following report of the Grand Jury
which has been Investigating alleged
irregularities in the several Offices. as
published in the Weld County Republi-
can as follows:
We, the Grand Jury Of Weld County,
Colorado, duly empannelled and sworn,
hereby submit the following report:
First-Road overseers of this coun-
ty. in many instances, render accounts
in a lump sum, no detailed account be-
ing made; when detailed accounts are
rendered by overseers. no place is spec
flied where the work was done: the bill
upon being allowed is paid in full to
the road overseer We urge and rec
ommend that each man employed by
the several road overseers, make their
own voucher to the county and draw
their pay thereon, and specify the
place where they worked.
We find that many road oversecrs
render a bill to the county for every
working day in each month, regardless
of weather conditions, and we are Of
the opinion there are many days in the
winter which make road work impossi-
BILE on account Of weather conditions.
Second-We find many bridge jobs
are let without being advertised, and
without contracts. which has resulted
in outrageous profits to some favored
contractors. We find that large bridge
contracts are let without getting esti-
mates from competent engineers as to
to the value of the work to be done.
This resulted in the case of the LaSale
Evans bridge in a profit of 100 per cent
to the contractor.
Third The books in the county COM
missioners Office are not complete or
intelligent record of the business trans
acted by that office; no account being
kept with parties who furnish services
or goods to the county. They should
be kept so that the debit and credit
side of all transactions may be refer
red to easily, as is done by all business
houses.
Fourth at was the understanding Of
the members of the Grand Jury that
the compensation of the county com
missioners was $500 per day, or not to
exceed S5O0.oO per year, We find by
the records, that the amounts drawn
are nearly s., 900 per year.
Fifth We also find they pay bills in
lump sums. to which there has not been
attached sufficient evidence of indebt-
edness, and in many cases are not
sworn to, and in several instance the
clerk of the board of county commits
sioners has attached his jurat when
claimant has not appeared before him.
This resulted in vouchers being paid to
parties who had never been in Weld
county and had not made affidavit. to
their vouchers.
Sixth There are times when our Jail
contains q large number of prisoners.
and we recommend that the sheriff
have power, when he considers it nee
essary, TO appoint guards as protec-
tion against possible Jail delivery.
Seventh The affairs of the sheriff $
Office, we are fully advised. are kept in
busincsslkc way, and at all times
the business of this Office cen be
checked up.
Eighth In the matter Of an allow
ance of $1,000 per month TO the county
judge for extra help, we feel the com
missionegs were justified in allowing it.,
as the work of this court has increased
to such an extent that it not only pays
its expenses, but turns into the county
treasury annually several thousand dol
lars.
T Ninth Under the new system Of
keeping the books Of the district court.
inaugurated about year and a half
ago, the work in this office, while not
more correctly done. is simplified us to
the checking up OF the Office.
Tenth The affairs Of the county
clerks Office are being checked up
now, and we hoped this work would
have been completed in time for US to
report on same.
Eleventh We recommend the check
! ing up Of all the county Offices be done
by a competent nonresident expert ac-
countant, and not as heretofore, which
was simple comparison Of vouchers
and warrants, which we consider of no
value to the county, in so far as dc.
tecting any irrcgalarity that might cx-
ist.
J Twelfth We find County Treasurer
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