Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1874-10-24
OARSON'S sWINDLES.

The report of the Ways, Means and
Claims Committee of the Legislative
Assembly of 1872, specially authorized
to investigate the frauds upon the Ter
ritorial Treasury, though couched in
language calculated to lessen the i'm
portance to be attached to such grave
swindles, nevertheless fully substan-
tales the charges made against Mr..
Carson, as principal, and Judge Jacobs
as party, to the Infamous transaction.
The report WAS prepared by Mr.. E. l..
Smith, violent partisan and personal
friend of Mr.. Carson and the JUDGE.
1t is fair to assume that while his
soul yearned to apply thick coat of
whitewash" to the transaction, the
committee saw too many damning evil
denscs of guilt to sanction such pro-
ceeding, and hence Mr.. Smith has
adopted the strategic move of placing
the whole transaction in the light of a
stupendous joke, a course by no means
rare in this day of ignoble precedents.
1t appears that the example of the
Committee was infectious, for although
the joint Resolution appended to the
report was adopted, no decisive action
was taken by the Prosecuting Attorneys
to recover the money fraudulently APP
propriated from the Territorial Treas
ury. Here is so much of the report as
relates to the transaction:
Upon examination OF the various cost
bills found in the Auditors office, the
committee were struck speechress with
admiration at the eminent financierinr
ability of several of the sheriffs but par
ticularly that of sheriff Carson, of
Pierce. This officer, as the committee
have heretofore reported, was able to
transport prisoner all tho way from
Steilacoom to Vancouver and bring two
back again, for the insignificant sum of
81 ,O3l. Among the numerous items
Of this bill, we find that it cost $50 to
60 from Portland to Vancouver on the
steamer Cascades. Now the regular
fare was just So, and the committee
therefore conclude that sheriff Carson,
fully imbued with the importance and
dignity of his official position, chartered
the whole steamer, to the admiration of
the natives of Portland and particularly
the 0. S. N. Co. On the return trip,
we lind q charge of S}5 at Linklighter's,
and as Linklighter informs the commit
tee that he only received Sc, it lis pre-
sumed that this gentleman, sympathiz-
ing with the rigid economy of Sheriff
Carson, on settlement of the amount,
deducted $50 from the bill. We also
find that the same officer has charged
for the keeping Of county prisoners, re-
turning them a' Territorial convicts to
the Auditor. Your committee further
find that when convict Young escaped
from the pcnitentiary, and was absent
some three months, that sheriff Carson
not only charged 50 per day for his
board but also brought in bill for
clothing furnished during the same
time. The committee here beg leave to,
remark that this practice is in accor-
dance with the regulations of all other
frst-class houses, no deductions being
made for either board or lodging unless
the guest notifies the landlord of the
time of his departure. The Assem-
bly, will pardon the depression and
permit us to state that in our opin-
ion the gravel wastes and fir solitudes of
Pierce can never afford scope for the
brilliant financial ability and fertile re-
sources of this officer. Let him seek
the nations great metropolis, New
York, and we are san2uine that Boss
Tweed will at once hand over the belt to
the clamdigger sheriff."
The examination developed interest
ing phases in the letting of the contract
for keeping the insane and repair of tho
asylum buildings. Contractor Harmon
was authorized to expend $500 in re-
pairing the buildings, and he so closely
followed instructions that the account
rendered only amounts to little more
than 81 ZOO. The committee concludes
that daily association with the insane
has rendered the contractor stark mad,
and we await with great anxiety the re-
port of resident physician Hemmen-
way.
In conclusion, we recommend the
passage of the accompanying resolu-
ton. +. l.. SMITH,
Chriynaa Council Committee.
j. w. BRAZEE,
Chairman House Committee.
WHEREAS, The examination Of the
joint committee appointed to investi-
gate the accounts of the Territorial Au-
d;tor md Treosurer disclOses the fact