City of Chester v. Paxson

Citations

• 76 Pa. Super. 40
• 1921 Pa. Super. LEXIS 81

Syllabus

<p>Municipalities — Cities of the third class — Employees—Appointment — V alidity— Warrant — Mandamus.</p> <p>A city treasurer in a city of the third class is not entrusted with the duty of supervising the contracts of the city. He is the custodian of the public funds, ■ but has to pay them out on lawful vouchers with funds in his hands sufficient for that purpose. He is not bound to look beyond a warrant, lawful on its face, to ascertain whether the payee named therein has rendered service proportionate to the amount of his compensation, or whether he is qualified for the service rendered. Where the warrant is signed by the superintendent of the department of accounts and'finance, and audited and countersigned by the city controller, all legal formalities have been complied with, and the treasurer should pay the same.</p> <p>In mandamus proceedings .to compel a city treasurer to pay- a warrant duly drawn on him, a writ will be granted, where the record does not show that the petitioner was illegally appointed or that he was not capable of performing the duties of his office.</p>