The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1916-04-08


In coming before you as a candidate
10 succeed myself as Auditor and Elk.
officio Insurance Commissioner, 1t
seems fitting and proper that I speak
Of the duties of this office, and give
such account of my stewardship as
taa,aimited time at my dispo - may
permit. This seems particularly de.
sirable far the reason that while some
Of you have dealings. with one OF its
departments, and some with another.
very few are in position to fully real.
lie the tremendous scope Of its work
and responsibilities.
Recently noticed statement OF
Democratic origin attempting to reflect
upon the administration of this office.
I believe the best answer to such un.
warranted criticism is to place the
facts before you, so that you may
judge for yourselves. want you to
note the tremendous volume OF bust.
ness which is transacted at a mini.
mum Of expense to the State.
During the last few years the work
Of the different departments OF this
Office has been tremendously increased
and new departments, bringing large
responsibilities and much additional
work, have been added by the Legis.
lature. A glance at the yearly cost of
administration shows a very small In
srease Of cost over that of years ago,
Do that l confidently assert that the
Auditors Office today is second to no
state Office In the United States, either
In economy or efficiency.
The State Auditors office not only
Is the most important business office
of our State, but 1t covers larger
field than any Office of any other State
In the Union believe brief outline
Of the work Of its ten principal depart
ments will prove both interesting and
Instructive:
sherlffs Department.
All the Sheriffs. Assessors and
Clerks report to this department, and
with It make settlement for all taxes
and license fees collected for the
State. For the fiscal year ending
June 30, 1915, 1t received from these
sources ss06.0O0.00 for State property
tax; $241,000 for State capitation tax;
$4,000 for various license privileges,
and $4,000 for fines.
1t also collects the tax from all pub
lie service corporations and distri-
butes 1t to the State. Counties. dis.
tricts and municipalities. For the
last fiscal year. the amount so collect.
Cd and distributed was s2,955 100000.
The total amount collected from all
sources for this year was. therefore.
s4,233, 10000. Of which s1,5S4, 100000 was
Tor State purposes.
Corporation Department.
This department keeps a record OF
the 5000 corporations authorized to
transact business in West Virginia.
collects the charter license tax and
statutory attorneys fees. and accepts
service for those desiring to bring
action against nonresident and foreign
corporations.
The amount OF taxes and fees col.
lected for the last fiscal year was
!. s424,ooe.Oo.
Criminal Charges.
This department checks up and pays
the States costs in criminal cases, in.
Guiding Juror and witness fees. allow.
ances to special judges. transportation
Of prisoners. etc. The amount SO dis.
bursed is about ss5.OOO.OO per year,
and covers thousands of items, each OF
which must be carefully scrutlnized
and approved, or rejected if not author.
lzed by law.
Warrant Department.
In this department warrants are Is