Las Vegas optic., 1914-12-01
TREASURER MADE
MONEY FOR THE
COUNTY
TAOS OFFICIAL ROUNDED UP
MEN WHO HAD NOT BEEN
PAYING TAXES

Santa Fe, Dec. How a county
treasurer organized and outfitted a
party and made personal tour of the
county to determine what flocks non
resident sheepowners grazed in the
county, is set forth in the report Of
Assistant Travelling Auditor e. A. Mas
man on the condition Of financial af-
fairs in Taos county. Something like
$4,000 in taxes we're thus collected
from nonresident sheepmen by Coun-
ty Treasurer FideI Cordova who Is
highly commended in the report made
public today by Governor Mcdonald.
The report says: "The examination
of the accounts of this official show
clearly that the affairs of this Office
have been administered in an excep-
tionally efficient manner His books
and records show that they have re-
ceived the attention to which they are
properly entitled. 1t is a real pleas
ure to testify unqualifiedly to the
competency of this official. The col
lection Of taxes is looked after in
thorough and systematic manner. Pen
alties are assessed without exception
when taxes become delinquent"
However, the attached financial re-
port shows that the tax duplicate of
Taos county for 1918 was only $4,000,
less than that of any other county, and
yet more than one-fourth of it was
stiIl delinquent on November 16, a.
total of $12,456.42
AS to County Clerk A. A. Rivera,
the auditor is also very high in its
praise, saying: "The accounts OF this
official were kept in neat and ac-
curate manner. He IS systematic and
methodical in the administration OF
his office, and is in every way an ef-
ficient official"
AS to the accounts of the late S.
Sisneros, county sheriff, the report
SAYS: CAS- is usual the case in the
division in the term Of office of coun-
ty official, the accounts Of former
Sheriff Sisneros were in a confused
condition" A balance of $575'16 is
declared to be unaccounted for AS
to the present sheriff, the report says:
"This official does not possess the
same degree of clerical ability as DO
the other officials Of the county lie
has however made an honest effort to
keep his records and has complied to
the best of his ability with all the ac-
counting requirements imposed upon
him" He is credited with $26.55 over
paid.
The salary advances were modest,
$4,000 to the county treasurer, $4,677
to the county clerk; $3.50 to the as
SCISSOR: $741.65 to the sheriff; $2,5SS
to the county school superintendent
s4OO to the probate Judge; $500 to
County Commissioner Randall and
$3.50 to the other two county commits
sioners each.
The report says rurther: The
statute governing the usage Of the
court house and jail repair fund has
not been strictly complied with"
number of mercantile licenses total
ing $245 are reported as delinquent
In conclusion the report says:
"The examination OF the accounts of
various officials as here reported
shows that the taxpayers are receiy-
ing an honest, efficient administration
of their affairs. The count yis oper-
ating on strictly cash basis and gets
warrants promptly when issued, The
reduction Of taxes by eliminating a
levy for court house and jail repair
purposes speaks well for the manage
ment Of the affairs Of the county.
"The audit and approval Of ac-
counts is handled in a businesslike
manner.
with but few exceptions, bills
were all properly sworn to, itemized
and in general in the form as required
by law. The county commissioners
are making an honest effort to com
ply with the statutes governing their |
office as they have viewed them. Ey-
cry facility for the successful and
speedy prosecution Of the examination
was accorded your auditors"
I. ]. Guilfoil assisted in the audit