The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1919-04-28
TAX COLLECTOR
NASSAU COUNTY
$1,000 SHORT
State Auditor Reviews Case
of Ogi1vie to Show Need
of Assistance in His De-
part11ent.
(sy HERBERT FELkEL.)

Tallahassee. April 27.-J. Will Yon.
state auditor. has returned from Fer
nandina. where he has been engaged
on an audit in the account Of j. d.
Ogilvte. t1u rn31ectcr OF Nassau caun-
ty. MIR. Yon reports the shortage in
this account OF approximately 5000.
Ar. Ogilvie wired In his resignation to
the governor, who refused to accept
Tie resignation and removed him in
stead. The tax collectors office will
be closed until the governor appoints a
successor and the appointee gives
bond and qualities.
Mr.. Y0n believes Mr.. Ogilvie and his
family and friends will be able to raise
and make good the shortage. He is to
return to Fernandina and meet with
them again next Wednesday, the ap-
pointed time to make such settlement.
In speaking of the many shortages
discovered by the auditing department
recently, which total approximately a
quarter million dollars in the last two
years alone. Mr.. Yon said. These
shortages and this condition will con-
tinue to exist in the ACCOUNTS OF some
officials until the legislature sees the
wisdom OF allowing sufficient force to
do the work OF the department. by
making audits at least once each year
OF all county and state officials ana
departments.
AT the first convening of this ses-
sion Of the legislature asked to be all
lowed two additional accountants to
help catch up with the work of the de-
partment. which. IL allowed by the leg-
islature. Including salaries. travelling
expenses and all would not have
amounted to more than $500 per an
mum. The bill was defeated In the
senate by vote OF IL to 20.
The responsibility is up to the leg
fsla8ure. I have reported to this ses-
sion the discovery OF near a quarter
million. dollars shortage in the last
two years. had much rather report
to the next legislature the discovery
of no shortages at all, and would take
a greater credit and more pride in
such a report
Il am sure that with sufficient audit
ing force I could be better able to
make a report of such improved con-
ditions to the next Legislators.
The work OF the auditing depart
ment is not alone to discover short
ages but it is the aim to be of assist
ance to the different officials who need
AZ, IN HeApln& tnem get their records
and accounts Strengthened out We
have in this state large number of
very competent and efficient officials,
but there are some who do not possess
such efficiency and it is they who
nee daSsistance of the auditing de-
partment to keep them straight.
With the limited auditing force it
takes US nearly three years to get
around the state. while we ought to
visit every county at least once q year
and get these officials straight and
help them out of their difficulties be-
fore they have gotten 50 deep In trou-
BILE that they are unable to pay up and
straighten out. With the approprfa-
lion Of $z.s00.00 additional asked Of
the legislature for this department, /
am sure that there would be a return
On this investment Of ten-fold.
The senator who made the main
Tight against the request for additionaI
1elp for the auditing department. in
.imated that the auditing force Is suf-
1cient il the present personnel would |
u