The Mount Holly news. [volume] (Mount Holly, Burlington Co., N.J.) 1891-1942, 1916-06-13
Duties Of the Auditor.

When the result of the investigation
of accounts in the various county Offices
was made public there was an inquiry
as to what the duties of the county
auditor are. Nobody seemed able to an
swer the question, SO it may not do any
harm to give the law by which the Office
of auditor was created. This law was
passed in March, 1872, SO it is not much
wonder there is little knowledge on the
subject. The law reads, in substance,
that the duty of the auditor shall be to
superintend the collection of all dues,
revenues and other claims of the county
OF Burlington, now due, payable or col
lectible, to institute and direct prosecu-
ton against delinquent officers of the
county, and for just dues and debts due
the county, to examine carefully and to
audit and adjust all bills, claims, de-
mands and accounts due to or which
may be presented against the said coun-
ty of Burlington, and to certify the
amount so adjusted or allowed by him
to the county collector, for receipt and
payment, and he is given power to adj
minister oaths and examine witnesses
where he thinks it proper to do SO. He
is to keep a register of all accounts and
countersign all checks drawn by the
county collector, keeping his records
open for public inspection at all times.
On the subject of bank accounts about
which so much was said the auditor. is |
given especial instructions and the law
compels hia to examine quarterly and |
oftener if he deems it necessary the ac-
counts of the debts and credits in the
bank books kept by the county collec-
tor, and if he finds any irregularity or
deficiency therein he shall, unless the
same is Immediately rectified or explain
ed to his satisfaction, forthwith report the
same in writing, to the director of the
board Of freeholders. And he shall also
examine into the condition of the fund
ed or other bit of the county, and if he
finds that any bonds, obligations, notes
or other securities are issued by the
county or said board, or any OF it's Off
GERS or committees, to greater amount,
Or for any other purposes, or in any
other than is authorized by law,
he shall Immediately report the same>to /
the director of the board.
1t has been the custom of the board of
when there is suit to be
brought, to refer the matter to the solicit
tor, but it will be seen by the law quoted
that it is up to the auditor to superin-
tend the collection of all claims due,
payable or collectible. This means that
II there are townships on the delinquent
tax list, it is the duty of the auditor to
see that they are made to pay up. 1t
will also be seen that he is required,
quarterly, and oftener if he thinks nee
essary, to examine the bank accounts.
This provision was undoubtedly inserted
in order that the county might be adj
vised at any time of the balances in the
various banks. Had it been rigidly adj
hered to there might not have been the
report by the finance committee that
in Is banks could not be ascer-
.ained.
The law makes the Office Of auditor
more than that of mere clerk. 1t is
Intended that he shall be veritable
Watchdog" 1t is true the salary is
lot large, $500 is small pay for man
who is expected to give as close atten-
ion to the duties that the law contem-
plates, but there never has been an
auditor elected who did not know in ad-
'ance what salary he would receive, al
hough it is possible that there have
been officials in that position who have
lot closely studied the statute defining
heir duties.