The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1877-01-31
A BRACE OF RADICAL OFFICIALS.

A BRACE OF RADICAL OFFICIALS.
The radical ex-auditor and ex treasurer of
jefferson county are in trouble. For years
past there has been suspicion among the
people of Jefferson that there was something
crooked in the Madison court house. Dur.
ing the canvass last year it was openly
charged that Auditor Gale and Treasurer
Jackman dare not let the light shine into the
dark corners of thier offices and to test the
matter, Mr.. Fred Harper, one of the county
commissioners, and the only democrat on
the board, made an effort to have q commit
tee of experts appointed to examine into
the condition of the several county offices.
The proposition was voted down by his re-
publican associates, and in order to clinch
the matter and prevent ventilation of
that which was believed to be rot
ten, an ex-county officer, and one of
the bondsmen of Treasurer Jackman, sued
out writ of injunction to restrain the COM
missioners from appointing such commit
tee. This action of the ex-official confirmed
the suspicious of the people that there was
something rotten in the state of Denmark, I"
and the clamor for the investigation became
louder than ever. it seems that the injunc-
ton was dissolved, for after the election was
over, and no immediate danger to the dOmi-
nation of radicalism in Jefferson was to be
apprehended, the board appointed COM
mittee to make the investigation. The
committee consisted of George g. Fenton,
ex-sheriff of the county, Almond Daniels,
an ex-treasurer,-both republicans,-an
James Roberts, professional account
ant and democrat The auditor whose
accounts were to be investigated was Rufus
Gale who had held the Office for eight years,
and the treasurer was Robert C. Jackman,
who had held the Office for two terms.
Mr.Gale is representative radical. He has
all the qualities Of republican politician
on a small scale. On the day of the presi-
dental election in 1856 he headed a mob
which tried to take possession of the Madison
polls, and in the melee drew, a, loaded re-
volver on German citizen who was making
an effort TO deposit his ballot. For this and
similar labors in the cause OF republicanism
he was rewarded by an election to one of the
best offices in the county. How well he dis
charged the duties of his office will be seen
after awhile.
Mr.. Jackman, the ex-treasurer. received
his business education and political training
from f. G. Whitney, gentleman somewhat
known in the political and financial circles
of Madison. How we'll he imbibed the sem
timents and absorbed the principles of that
financial Gamaliel will be seen further
along.
Messrs. Fenton, Daniels and Roberts have
made an elaborate report to the county com
missioners of the result of their examina-
ton, which report has been published, and
a copy of it is in possession of the Sentinel.
Ii reminds one of the report of congress
sional committee on post traderships or In
dian contracts. There is a richness about it
never seen except when the doings of rad
ical officeholder are being ventilated. Had
it been made one year ago the claims of Mr..
Jackman to the nomination of treasurer of
state, which he sought at the last republican
convention, could not have been ignored.
The report should be read and studied by all
men who desire to know the qualifications
requisite in a radical officeholder to properly
discharge the duties of his office.
The committee sum up the account be-
tween Mr.. Gale and the county as follows:
REcAPrTULATIoS.
Orders issued, for which
there are no vouchers, and
charged to the following ac-
...se.