The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-04-22
UNDER THE LIMIT
Norton Has No Fees Belonging
to County.
WiIkersOn Fees Slightly Over
Statutory Limit.
SUGGEST new BOOK PLAN
Accounts Neat but Do Not Show
Money Received.
Present System Should Be
Changed, Auditors Say.

Reports on the Office of sheriff, COW
ering the J. D. Norton administrator
and a portion of J. NJ. W1lkersoh
term, were filed today with the county
commissioners by the special account
ants. In the report it is shown that
Wilkerson's fees exceeded the statutory
limits by S385S5, while Norton's Iees
have been s113S9 below the limit. Sher-
iff's fees amounting to $920.7l, in the
hands of the clerk of the court, are
not included in the final accounting
The report shows that Wllhersoh :
fees amounted TO $zS,0S7.2S from Janu-
arv IA. 1907, to July II, 1909, while Nor
toms fees from July r. 1909, TO AUS
ust 81. 1911, were $25,746.66. These tees
are shown to have been paid in the
following distributions:
+ P Nj NIX tG J. f b. N to Total
From treas ers S5 ZIG IS 81 291 81 $48 20
District COURT 4,6O6.79 S,1Sl1s 7l9S-94
Probate court. 3T4.93 l544 1V90-o
court Of Topeka. SS.25 3Ll5 n0-oo
Collection delin- 1000 : oee a.
quent taxes. 1913 52O97 l'26O.4o
Total SIS, oS7. 2S $25, 1866 $5S sS9. "a
Loose systems of bookkeeping are
reported by the auditors in the snerln
Office and recommendations are uldoe
that q new method be established. rom
the quarterly reports filed by WIlhel-
son and Norton, fees from January
1907 TO September, 1911, are shown at
but S14.115.5S, while the work OF the
auditors brings the fees to $50, IO4.44.
This leaves fees in the amount OF
SIG, 1856, which were not SHOWN IL
the quarterly reports from the once
These additional fees are distributed as
follows: Drawing jurors, jail attend
ance. election fees and fees for col
lection of delinquent taxes.
In addition to the $50, 704.44 shown by
the accountants, is $23, 1850 paid NOR
ton and Wilkerson for the board OF
county prisoners. This brings the total
earnings of the office from January
1909. to September 1911, to $53,S3394
Under the construction of the law
If is shown that WilkerSOn is indebted
to the county S116.12 for excess fees
while Norton failed to reach the statu-
tory limitation by $113.S9. This con-
clusiOn is reached by an Interpretation
of the law which allows the sheriff So
500 a year with an additional $4,000 fol
deputy hire, to be earned from the fees
of the office. From all fees in excess
of the Sc. 500 a year, the county shall
receive One-third and the sheriff shall
retain two-thirds. These fees are not
computed ir the earnings from board
of county prisoners.
Elsewhere in the report, the account
ants show that s920.71 in sheriff's fees
is now in the hands of the clerk OF the
district court. This amount was not
considered in the financial standing OF
either Norton or Wilkerson with the
county, but was charged against the
clerks office in former report.
OF the $920.71 due in September from
the clerk $358.S5 was due Wilkerson
while $56lS5 was due Norton. Adding
the $35S.S5 due WilkersOn from the
clerk and the $34S.36, which is listed as
excess fees Wilkerson's account would
amount to s701.21, of which the county
would be entitled to One-third, or
S23z.74
In the Norton account, the S113.S SO