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Official Organ Ben Hill County.
Auditor’s Report Ben Hill County, 1911
To the Chairman and Board of Directors, Ben Hill County, Fitzgerald, Ga.
Gentlemen: We have completed our examination of the books and accounts of
those officials handling public funds, covering period from date of last audit to
March 31, 1911, and, as result of our findings, hand you herewith our report con¬
sisting of tabulated statements, as follows:
R. J. Prentiss, County School Commissioner.
A-l and 2—Receipts and Disbursements, as shown by books.
J. H. Goodman, County Treasurer.
B-l—Receipts and Disbursements, General Fund.
2— Receipts and Disbursements, City Court Fund.
3— Bond Fund. if. 5
4— Commission Account.
G. A. Jolly, County Treasurer.
C-l—Receipts and Disbursements, General Fund.
2—Receipts and Disbursements, City Court Fund.
County Commissioners.
D-l—Bills Payable. ' ; f S ? J1
2— Warrants Outstanding, Not Paid by Banks.
3— Court Warrants and Scrip Outstanding. t il
.
Willis Smitb, Tax Collector.
E-l—Tentative Statement, County Tax 1910.
2— Tentative Statement, State Tax 1910.
3— Tentative Statement, School Tax, 1910.
E-4—Tax Collected not on Digest—not Entered by Collector.
5— Allowances on Account of Errors, etc.
6— Defaulters Relieved.
Trusting these statements, with comments on succeeding six pages, will prove
clear, we are, Your9 respectfully, *
ALONZO RICHARDSON & CO.,
m r" COMMENTS. Commissioner. Certified Public Accountants.
XL J. Prentiss, County School
We give you on Exhibit “A1 and 2” a general statement of Mr. Prentiss’
account. This account was checked in detail and balance called for by the
books was in accord with balance in bank. We found Mr. Prentiss’ accounts in
much better shape than upon the occasion of our former audit. The Commis¬
sioner now has notes outstanding as follows:
Feb. 4, 1911, First National Bank, due Dec. 1, 1911-------- $ 2 , 000.00
Mch. 3, 1911, First National Bank, due December 1, 1911 . 1,500.00
Total .$3,500.00
J. H. Goodman, Treasurer (B-l-2-3-4).
On Exhibit “B-l” wc give you statement of Treasurer’s general fund. This
account was verified in detail, proper vouchers found for disbursements, and
Mr. Goodman’s work generally was found in good shape. Balance of $65.71,
as called for by the books, was turned over to Mr. G. A. Jolly, new Treasurer.
See Exhibit “C-l.”
City Court Fund was verified and balance of $16.99 turned over to Mr. Jolly,
the new Treasurer .
Bond Fund: On Exhibit “B-3” we give completed statement of Bond Fund,
showing the final disposition of this fund. The few payments made out of this
fund during this period were verified.
Commissions: On Exhibit “B-4” we give you a statement of Mr. Goodman’s
Commission Account, showing a balance due the county by Mr. Goodman of
$298.51. This difference is the result of over payments on account of commis¬
sions, as follows: «
In paying balance due as shown in report of A. R. & Co., dated April
1, 1910, of.................................... $443.30
•Commissioners Issued Warrants:
April 13, 1910, No. 1954 ......... $150.00
May 28, 1910, No. 2028 ............. . 301.51— 451.51
Making an overpayment of .$ 8.21
Also, on June 14th, warrant No. 2064, for $57.42, was issued as commission on
receiving and disbursing $2,870.90 from bond fund. This was an error, as
commission on disbursing this amount was allowed in total showing the $443.30
balance due; so, in figuring commissions, we allow for receiving this money, but
not for disbursing, making:
June 14th, Warrant No. 2064 .............................................. .$57.42
Less commission for receiving $2,870.90@l 1 / i per cent 35.89
Overpaid........................................................................................:. .$ 21.53
Making a total overpayment to March 16, 1910, of $29.74.
In figuring commission for period, March 16, 1910, to December 31, 1910,
Treasurer figures his commission at 2% per cent on the first $10,000 for receiv¬
ing and disbursing. Since he was allowed commission at 2% per cent on the
first $10,000, both for receiving and disbursing for calendar year 1910, as shown
in our report of April 1, 1910, we figure on all receipts and disbursements at
1% per cent and charge the Treasurer with diffenenees as follows:
On receiving $10,000 at 1% per cent.................................................. $125.00
On disbursing $10,000 at l 1 ^ per cent 125.00
.............................................
Commission on $1,501.51 at 1 % per cent, commissions paid
himself .................................................................................................. 18.77
Total overpaid March 6, 1910, to December 31,1910 $268.77
To which add: Overpaid to March 16, 1910................. 29.74
to be refunded by Treasurer (see Exhibit “B-4”) v $298.51
.....
f eep in mind that the Treasurer is not entitled to commission on payments
Vimself and that the law contemplates full settlements as at December 31st,
covering the calendar year. He is entitled to 2*4 per cent on receipts and 2%
per ceiL on disbursements up to $10,000 during the calendar year and, for
amounts above the first $10,000 he is entitled to 1% per cent on receipts and 1^4
per cent on disbursements.
G. A. Jolly, County Treasurer (January 1,1911, to March 31, 1911.)
Work of Mr. Jolly was verified in the same way as was Mr. Goodman’s. Bal¬
ances in bank were found in accord with book balances.
County Commissioners.
Bill Payable: On Exhibit ‘ ‘ D-l ’ ’ we give you list of notes outstanding cov¬
ering warrants cashed by bank. On Exhibit “D-2” we give you list of war¬
rants outstanding that had not yet reached the bank, and on Exhibit “D-3”
we give you list of court warrants and scrip outstanding, making the total in¬
debtedness of the county as follows:
Notes payable, Exhibit “D-l'” $8,793.89
Warrants, Exhibit “D-2” ....... . 611.98
Court warrants and scrip........... 357.10
Total.................................................................................................. $ 9,762.97
Against which you have:
Cash in treasury, Exhibit “C-l” ............................................ $ 599.83
Balance due by tax collector, “E-l” .................................... 742.11
Fi fas in hands of sheriff, $3,476.07, from which you will
probably realize.......................................................................... 1,500.00 2,841.94
Leaving an apparent current deficit of........................................ $ 6,921.03
On April 1, 1910, when wc made our last report, the current
deficit was ........................................................................................ 10,513.15
Showing an improvement in your condition to extent of. $ 3,592.12
In this statement you, of course, understand that the fixed assets of the Coun¬
ty, such as the court house, jail and other properties, have not been considered.
(Continued on Page 2.)
SEMI-WEEKLY
The Fitzgerald Leader
FITZGERALD, BEN HILL COUNTY, GEORGIA, MAY 13, 1911.
Fair Association
Decides on Location
The Ben Hill County Fair As¬
sociation held a very lengthy meet¬
ing yesterday at the court house,
and disposed of numerous prelim¬
inary matters incident to the
launching of such a campaign.
One of the principal matters
disposed of was the definite report
of the Location committee, con¬
sisting of T. F. Hemminger, P. F.
Clark, J’ E. Turner, A. B. Cook,
D. B. Ware, C. W. Hayes, L. L.
Griner, R. Davis, J. E. Mercer,
and I. Gelders, who stated that
they had closed a contract with
the Blue and Gray Association for
the use of their grounds for this
purpose. The contract was read
and accepted by the Board of Gov¬
ernors.
Several new committees were
appointed, among them being the
Committee on Babies, which com¬
poses the following gentlemen:
A. B. Cook, D. W. Paulk, James
Paulk, Jr., L. Kennedy, E. J.
Dorminy, T. M. Griffin, G. E.
Ricker, M. W. Garbutt and Ar¬
thur Williams.
The meeting adjourned to meet
next Saturday, May, 20th, at the
court house at 9 a. m.. when it is
hoped that all interested, and es¬
pecially every member of the
Board of Governors will be pres¬
ent.
_
Pl&n New Depot
For Cordele, Ga.
Cordele, Ga., May 12.—At a
conference of the railroad officials
of the different roads touching at
Cordele and the committee of citi¬
zens representing the city, held
here today, plans were submitted
as per instructions at a previous
conference for a new depot such as
would be acceptable and satisfac¬
tory to the city.
These plans suggested the re¬
moval of two warehouses located
on the right-of-way of the Georgia
Southern and Florida railroad be¬
tween Eleventh and Twelfth ave¬
nues one block south of the pres¬
ent union station, and the erection
upon the site of a new and com
modious passenger station, so ar¬
ranged as that the baggage, ex¬
press and dining room would be
down stairs with only the ticket
office and waiting room up stairs,
modelled after the terminal station
in Atlanta.
Harmony and good humor char¬
acterized the meeting throughout,
the officials of the road expressing
themselves as willing to do all con¬
sistent to satisfy the city in im¬
proving the present conditions.
The matter will be threshed out at
as early date as practicable.
The estimated cost of such a de¬
pot as designated by this commit¬
tee was placed at about one hun¬
dred and twenty-five thousand dol¬
lars. Superintendents of all roads
except the Georgia Southwestern
and Gulf were in attendence at the
conference.
May Pay Debt
In 70 Yeetrs
When we are all dead the state
of Georgia will be out of debt, ac¬
cording to a report just published
by the state treasurer. But our
children will live to see the day,
for the happy date is set at exact¬
ly 70 years hence—that is, of
course, provided Georgia doesn’t
make any more debts in the mean¬
time. The state now owes nearly
$7,000,000, and is paying it off at
the rate of $100,000 per year,
which amounts to $1,000,000 every
ten years.—Dawson News.
Peach Growers Lose
Before Commission
Washington, May 12.—Under a
decision handed down by the inter¬
state commerce commission today,
railroads engaged in the transpor¬
tation of the Georgia peach crop
to the north and west will not be
required to reduce the number of
crates in refrigerator cars below
535.
The Georgia Fruit Exchange
had urged a maximum of 448
crates on the ground that it was
impossible thoroughly to refriger¬
ate a cAr containing a larger num¬
ber. The commission suggests
that thfe fruit should be pre-cooled
before shipment.
Company “C” Will
Take Annual Outing
Lieutenant Will S. Haile, of
Company “C” First Infantry,
makes the interesting announce¬
ment that the Militia will take
their annual outing Sunday, May
21st, at Bowen’s Mill. The Com¬
pany will don regular army appar¬
el and march to Bowen’s Mill Sat¬
urday night, where they will
strike camp for the night. Sunday
will be spent drilling, and the
march back to Fitzgerald will be
made Sunday night.
The general public is invited to
spend Sunday at Bowen’s Mill and
take a peep at real army life, wit¬
nessing the drills made by the loc¬
al compa ij|y.
-
Mother’s Day Will Be
Observed
As usual this church will ob¬
serve “Mother’s Day” tomorrow
at the morning service, and the
pastor will speak on “My Moth¬
er.” It is requested that every¬
body wear a white flower all day,
in honor of your mother, whether
she is living or not. A white car¬
nation is preferred, but any white
flower will do.
The other meetings for the day
will be: Bible school at 9:30, with
great adult classes for both men
and women. At 6:45 the Y.P.S.C
E. praise service will be held, and
at 7:40 the pastor’s theme will be
“In Danger”.
The midweek service on Wed¬
nesday at 6:45 will be a book study
in Galations, the second in the se¬
ries. Subject, “A New Life in
Christ,” Gal. 1:13-24.
Everybody welcome at all ser¬
vices; only once a stranger here.
Smith Will Ignore
M’lendorv’s Challenge
Atlanta, Ga.. May 10.—Govern¬
or-elect Hoke Smith returned to¬
day from Elberton where he has
been in court, and left in the
afternoon for New York to attend
a meeting of the Peabody fund
commitee, of which he is a mem¬
ber.
So far as known, he has made
on reply whatsoever to S. G. Mc¬
Lendon’s challenge for a joint de¬
bate on national issues in Georgia—
in the event Governor Smith is a
candidate for the Senate. If he has
made such reply, it has not been
made public either by him or Mr.
McLendon.
In fact, it is understood from
those close to him that he will not
pay anv attention whatever to Mr.
McLendon’s letter, but will ignore
it completely. Just what effect
this will have on Mr. McLendon
or his candidacy or his plans for
discussing the issues before the
people is not known yet, as he has
made no statement.
Soil Survey Will
Start in November
Congressman Dudley M.
Hughes writes concerning
Ben Hill County Soil
Survey.
May 8th, 1911.
Mr. J. E. Turner, Vice-Presi¬
dent, Fitzgerald, Ga.
My dear Mr. Turner: I went
down to the Bureau of Soils again
on Saturday last and inquired when
they intended to send the engin¬
eers down into Ben Hill for that
Soil Snrvey. The Director of Soils
stated that they were now moving
all their engineers north as it was
their rule to do this work in the
Northern states during the summer
and the Southern States during the
winter. He stated to me that he
would do his best to have work
commenced upon the Ben Hill sur¬
vey next fall. I feel confident that
work will be commenced in your
county upon this great work not
later than November first.
Command me when I can be of
service.
With best wishes, I am
Yours very truly,
Dudley M. Hughes.
Odd Fellows Initiate
Sixteen Candidates
The local order of the Odd Fel¬
lows held an Encampment Thurs¬
day night, when they initiated six¬
teen candidates, administering
three degrees to each one, which
makes them full-fledges members.
Thirteen of the applicants were
from Ocilla, the remaining three
of this city.
After the encampment, forty-
five of those present repaired to
the Greek American Restaurant,
where a toothsome supper was
served.
Mr. and Mrs. G. A. Kent left
Thursday for Augtauviile, Ala.,
in response to a telegram announc¬
ing the death of the former’s sis¬
ter, Miss Jennie Kent. The cause
of the young lady’s death has not
yet been learned, with the excep¬
tion of the statement in the mes¬
sage that it was accidental. Miss
Kent has visited in Fitzgerald on
several occasions and this unexpect¬
ed announcement of her death will
be a great blow to her many
friends here.
Mr. Will Flanders, formerly of
Fitzgerald but now of Eastman,
mingled with friends in the city
yesterday.
Call Meeting
The citizens of Fitzgerald and Ben
Hill County interested in the State con¬
vention of the Farmers Union to be
held in this city on June 21st to 23rd
are invited to be at a meeting to be
held on next Tuesday May 16th at 10:30
a. m. at the City Hall for the purpose
of perfecting plans to entertain the
convention.
Members of the Ben Hill County
Farmers Union are especially requested
to meet with us. All committees should
be ready to make their reports.
F. R. JUSTICE, Sec’y
Official Organ if Bu
Hill Count!. 01.50
a Year.
VOL. XVI. NO. 37
Fitzgerald Gets Farm¬
ers Union Conven¬
tion
As was announced in our
“Extra” of yesterday, this city has
been selected by the officials of
the Georgia Farmer’s Union as
meeting place for their next annual
convention, which will be held
June 21, 22 and 23rd. *
It will be remembered that this
movement was agitated by the
Leader some time ago, and that
Fitzgerald’s claims were laid be¬
fore the officials most forcibly.
That the annual convention of
the Farmer’s Union will prove
widely beneficial to Fitzgerald and
Ben Hill county, there can be no
doubt as it will bring to this city
seven or eight hundred farmers
from different sections of the
state. Indeed its value as an adr
vertiser is incalculable.
The citizens of Fitzgerald should
co-operate with the Ben Hill Union
in making the three day conven¬
tion a sorce of pleasure for the
visitors.
Following announcement of the
decision in favor of Fitzgerald is
from one of the state papers:
Union City, Ga.. May 11.—The
officials of the Georgia Farmers’
union today selected Fitzgerald for
their place of meeting, and the
date June 21, 22, 23.
This is about one month earlier
than the regular time of the annual
state meeting.
The reason for calling this earlier
is understood to be the fact that
President Cabaniss is an elected
member of the legislature, and
according to the Union constitution
it is said to be necessary for some¬
one to be selected to take his place
prior to the meeting of the legis¬
lature.
It is understood that this meets
the approval of many members of
the organization, although they
are loath to give up President
Cabaniss. The organization does
not care to place itself in a position
where it would be criticised for be¬
coming too much entangled with
politics.
It is thought that the determina¬
tion of the Farmers’ Union to not
allow its officers to dip too deep
into politics will strengthen the
union in many ways.
The many friends of Mr. James
Thompson, proprietor of the City
Bakery, are glad to see him able
to be up again, after a recent ill¬
ness.
Mr. Griner of Fitzgerald, spent
a few days this week with the
family of his brother, Feck Griner.
—Douglas Enterprise.