White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1926-09-24
(PAID ADVERTISEMENT

To The Voters of Benton County:
Being candidate for the office of
County Treasurer, ] deem it proper
to present to you some qualifications
.that would justify your retaining me
in that office. 4,
First. am tax payer in Benton
County, owning my home and endeavcr-
ing to make Benton County better
place to live in. As tax payer
would naturally be more interested in
lowering the tax burden than one who
was not. A reduction in taxes can
only come by reducing operating
costs: shifting the burden is not the
true solution.
I was appointed to the office OF
County Treasurer in the early pat
of december, 1924, previous tc
which time there had been eight
regular employees in the office; since
then the work has been handled by
six with an extra clerk for short
time during the summer. This
resulted in a saving Of over $2OOO.O0
4 year. During the year 1925, ] handled
over $1,20o,oOO.oo every cent Of which
was properly accounted For and
credited to the various funds, of which
there are over one hundred and
fifty.
AS to the service rendered, those
of you who have business with the
office, and the greater portion of you
have, are the best able to judge. The
following from the last State Exam
iner's report speaks for itself.
"The office, under the direction of
Malcolm McDougal, as County
Treasurer, has been operated in an
efficient and economical manner.
Warrant calls have been properly
made. This is one feature of the opera
ton of the office of County Treasurer IN
which every tax payer is interested;
reduction in the amount paid out in
warrant interest is reduction in the
amount paid in as taxes. The average
daily bank balance, on which the
county receives two percent, IS
reduced, but this receipt is more than
offset by the saving in warrant inter-
est, which, at the, present time is six
per cent; a net saving to the county,
as whole, of four per cent is made.
The excellent condition in which
your examiner found the records and
accounts in this office helped mater
tally in reducing the time required to
make, not only the county examination,
but also the examination of the
various irrigation and school districts" :.
Signed: ]. M. .RUMMELL
State Examiner.
The Treasurer's office probably
requires more detailed knowledge and
greater responsibility than any Other
of the county Offices. A person must
have general knowledge of account
ing and also be experienced with
handling large sums Of money My
four years in the office, two years as
deputy, and two years as treasurer,
fits me to fully meet these require
ments.
Beginning with next year, the
office of Assessor is abolished and the
work delegated to the Treasurer. This
believe, to be step in the right
direction toward lowering the cost o
county operation and if properly
handled by one who is favorable to
the sys sem can result in Substantial
saving.
I have given the subject consider
able thought and can probably see
better than any one else, where the
office work Of the Assessors office
can be absorbed by the Treasurer's
office with assistance of very littl'
additional help.
AS to the placing of values on the
property of Benton County SO as to
get an equitable distribution Of the
burden, I believe that my thirteen
years residence in the county. gives
me a very good understanding Of
what is required, and the fact that
I have handled the Treasurer's office
capably, / feel, is sufficient justifi.
cation for me to solicit your supper,
at the general election, November End
Yours very truly,
MALCOLM MCDOUGAL
County Treasurer