The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1938-06-02
Why Legal Publications?

With the increasing interst by citi-
zens in the publication of financial
statements of counties, school districts,
and municipalities, and in the publica-
ton of other legals in connection with
legal procedures, the layman, and even
county officials might say, why is
it necessary that such publications be
made?"
In the first place, the money which
is expended by county officers, school
boards, and city councils is your money,
Mr.. Taxpayer. You have right to
audit these expenditures at regular and
frequent intervals. You have right to
know what is being done with your
money without being put to the in
convenience of going to the records
of the several political subdivisions and
publication of financial statements in
the newspaper is a convenience for the
public; it also saves the time of the
public officials who might otherwise be
put to much unnecessary work should
they be asked to open records and go
over the accounts with a multitude Of
individuals.
From the standpoint of the public
official there is a very important reason
why he wishes to publish an accounting
of his Office. From his point of view
it is very fortunate that the law permits
and requires him to make these legal
publications. The public officials safe
o,,orJ ,foi &c fIoa
fact that he makes a public accounting
through the local newspaper. To make
such an accounting in any form other
than in complete detail, so as to in
form the public just what is being done
with the tax money, places the official
in a position where his acts may be
very easily misunderstood.
When a client places his affairs in
the hands of his attorney he expects and
gets an accounting so that he knows
what is going on. The lawyer will in
sist that the client receive and read a
report of such an accounting. 1t is
quite obvious that this procedure is for
the protection of the lawyer as well as
of the client.
Another safeguard for the public
official, when he makes publication in
complete detail, is that it explains to
the taxpayer the reason for higher
taxes, if such prevail. In almost all
cases where there are excessive expendi-
lures the taxpayers are responsible for
it themselves. Instead of directing
criticism toward the public official, the
citizen understands the reason for the
financial condition of the respective
political subdivision He has had it
fully explained in the published finan-
cial statement. Publication in full de-
tail lifts the criticism from the public
official and places it on the door step
of the taxpayer, where it usually be-
longs.
So-complete and detailed publica-
ton of financial statements and other
legals, through the newspapers, is the
American way Of protecting Americans
and of protecting our public office
holders. The actual responsibility of
public officials is to lay bare honest,
honorable facts before the citizens so
that no wrong conclusions can be
drawn Were it not for legal publica-
tons the processes of democratic gov
eminent would face breakdown.
Tt is quite plain that the interest
being shown by citizens in the legal
publications in this newspaper be-
speak healthy situation We find ex-
IRENE safety in such a situation, both |
for our taxpayers and for our public |
officials.