West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1914-01-29
KTNGWoop. JANUARY 20
ONCE MORE IHE AUDIT

some quarters, tnNt the county court has
permitted some of those fonnd delin-
quent, by the certified public accountant,
to settle for mere pittance We grant
that this idea might be gathered from
the printed report OF the last session of
the court. However, such is not the
case, and an investigation of the record
will disclose an altogether different state
OF affairs.
Every penny found due and own. by
the state was paid in FULL. which
amounted 10 S2,6s6 80. In tie case of
Charles Spindler the sum of 81. 666 56
sound TO be due, and MIR. Spindler
~ paid into the county treasury S.
454.4l. The difference, SIP 10. was not
exacted of the former sheriff, due 10 the
nature of the items, viz: To securing the
Landis-Ilarris bloodhounds. to track an
escaped prisoner, 81 %; for various work
IN hauling and removing beer confscated
in a raid at Rowlesburg, 500 so; for two
days service OF deputy i'm bringing an
Italian from Somerset county, Pennsyl-
vania, SO, and the largest item of $l35
interest paid on money borrowed by Mr..
Spindler in 1909 10 pay orders on the
treasurer. This was due to former sheriff
w. NJ. Schaefer's failure 10 turn over
certain balances at the time OF making
ms maj settlement, so il is alleged. 1t
may be that these items could be col.
lccted from Mr., Spindler, but the court
felt, and properly SO, too, that inasmuch
"a Mr.. Spindler WAS desiruus and willing
TO balance the books in a friendly man
ner. and as many OF the findings against
hini were the result of errors, made by
the commissioners in making their settle
inents, some concession was due Mr.
Spindler. This is a rule likewise i'm force
between honest and broad-minded citi-
>zens in civic affairs wherein there is a
lancial consideration. With all who
are ~slGng TO recognize their Obligation.
the court WHY be fair. Tie present non.
PARTISAN court oil this county is not en-
deavoring to play the role of Shylock
and exact the pound OF flesh.
In the case OF County Clerk Everly the
sum oil s., 040. IS was found due. OF this
amount Mr.. EVERY has paid in the re-
spective sums: On October :. 1919
20; January q, 1914, S23l and Jan.
nary Z, 1914, sl6s.42, making "a total of
SsI4.l7 paid TO the county and an addi-
.tional S7S.25 to the state, or a grand total
TO the state and county OF $3.50. ~. The
difference between the amonnt paid into
the state and county treasury, and the
original amount held, is an additional
charge OF Mr.. EVERY OF S22 o. and the
amounts held as due on account of trans
fer lees. There was a proposition of law
involved In this which is unsettled and
since MIR. EVERY agreed 10 liquidate the
remaining sum OF $500 II, without suit.
and as the court was informed that the
~, III transfer fees was a matter between
-khose who had deeds recorded and the
county clerk, an order was entered re-
lieving MIR. EVERY from further liability
to tie county. This order, however. in
no way iDterferes with an adjustment
i. between Mr.. EVERY and tie several hun.
dred individuals who have paid the fee.
At this writing there has been Maid
INTO the county treasury the sum OF
s1,Ol5.I7 as direct result Of the audit.
a word now in regard to :. Charles
Steele, the man who made the audit
Mr. Steele is one Of the fourteen certified
accountants in this state. He was one Of
the first men TO be sent to Richmond
Va by the board Of public works. 10
assist in preparing tle accounts for the
state OF West Virginia in the now famous
Virginia debt suit. He remained in
Richmond for nearly five months. and
went from there to New York city. where
he was associated with Thomas b Dixcv
a certified public accountant, for nearly
three years. During This last period Mr.
D1xcy and his associate were engaged in
work that was Of the greatest impor.
lance, the chief % which was the lannon's
suit between the Ulster q Delaware rail.
road ". Board Of Water Supply of New
York city. This proves that be ~ a man
Of merit and worth His ability has
been--recognized by the officials Of the
city Of Morgantown who EMPLOYED him
to audit the books Of that munjrifali,v
whereby the city treasury was enriched.
A. the present time be Is engaged in
auditing the books 81 The Reno district
school board, which is composed Of Re.
pubIicans. 1t might likewise be well for
a few more Of tie school boards 10 have
q little auditing done by some competent
accountant. Ia addition to this. 1fr
steele has audited the books OF nuoer.
Gus private corporations, who. a. a mat.
ter Of business, have their books audited
annually. IN passing IL might be- well 10
note that s. Charles Steele is Reppbli.
can and from a Republican family. Tie
gncle, John T.. Steele, was for year. as
soeisted wish senator n h. Scott. We
simpiy cite ibis as evidence that "ibe
cousi Is drunk with powers and favors
Democrats ia handing out lucrative ro.i-
lions Dir. Steele received 1880 for
the work 81 birnfelf and two assistant in
making the audit. This sum probably
seems. - the average citizen, 30 be OK
ofbtanf. However, BET us consider what
was paid from the county treasu for
Ire services Of Messrs. W. W. Iemlv and
@. w. Bearie for tie partial audit Of
ek .SieriH William ~ sehaefer. The
records dieclotc that there was paid for
Iheis service fO25.SO, and taking THE
- baeis for complete audit Of seven
men il wo0ld total 81 $500, or s035. IS