The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1877-07-06

YOU citicisn somewhat aeverely but
courteousls my gillcial actions--.pot
more severely tAan | icserye, i your
charges arc correct,
You charge me in The first place
with u phin and ,lAn yioletion o.
the law in tho appoinsnentof aclerk
u tie penileu ia'y.
Second. That titial needless eSpen'
dirure a the public aohty
Third You cll n9on the Grand
Jury. the District Attorney and the
Secretary oi State 'o take steps for
the recovery Of what has been ex-
pended, and to stop tho expenditures
for the future.
In reply TO your first charge l WIN
say that 1t is not my purpose to Vio-
late any law as private citizen as
a public officer ] have taken asolemn
oath and ain under honyy bonds to
koap the law. Hence, ] have exam
med the matter and find no law,
either general or special, or any re'
port Of any Legislative committee
adopted by both Houses against II.
rhe House, during tho last session,
| as / understand, refused to adopt
the report Of the joint committee
recommending the disconlinuance oil
the Office, md, by their action, en-
dorsed the employment Of clerk
But | had other and more impor'
tant reasons for the appointment
is my intention that the business
Of the Office shall be correctly, in
lelligently and creditObly kept, Gnd
ino one man can do il; and dc
not think the citizens Of tho State
expect me TO employ clerical aid ant
my for the same out OF my own sal
ary, when the duties OF the oIiico re
ouire tho whole time Of the Super
intondent. If you will take inl'
consideration the amount OF worl
required OF tho Superintendent o
che Oregon State Penilentiary, yol
will not bo surprised at his appoint
ing a clerk, but will in my judgmen
as heartily endorse the appointment
as You now oppose it.
extend 10 you cordial invitation
land through you 10 every citizen o
tho State) to como here, and ! vii
induct you into tho duties Of tn
Office by giving you full and fre'
access to everything pertaining
thereto, and II you do not at til,
close Of your investigation endors
the appointment Of clerk, / vii
! agree to strip to tin waist and le
you maui me through the Orcgoaial
until your conscience says quit.
] think You are in error in refer
ence to the duties OF the Secretar,
J Of State Ms connected with the &C
! counts Of tho Ponitentiary. Th
! law makes the Superintendent Of th,
I State Prison his own auditor and re
{ quires tho Secretary to issue war
rants upon vouchers audited by him
Tho Governor, in the absence Of tn
j., Legislature, alone can control tn
acts Of the Superintendent, and h
. only by his removal from office. Tn
charge is made also Of auditing tn
claim Of the clerk before it was due
! audited and gave him voucher OF
: tho 3lst day of tho month, the las
day OF the quarter, when it was due
] am o public servant hayinl
charge Of the most important ant
responsible position in pecuniar.
, point Of view (excepting the Insan
Asylum) in the State; one in whicl
its financial interests are most in
, yolvod, hence il is the duty of ever,
citizen, and particularly one occupy
ing your position at the head Of th'
leading journal OF the State, 10 watcl
with a vigilant cye the Octs Of pub
, lie servant like myself. / court q
all times investigation.
| entered upon the duties of tn
oflico now hold with a determine
ton to carry it 6fiin the interests 0
, no man or party, but in tho interest
OF the whole state, in which aetiol
/ am upheld and have the approvO
, Of the executive of tho State,
have made no changes in the officer
or employees of the prison, and hOy
made none only as ! thought the in
forests Of the State demanded, be
lieving as ] did on taking charge 0
the prison, and becoming more thor
oughly convinced Os | became bette
: acquainted with the workings Of tn
! institution, that personal and politi
cal considerations should not hav
anything to do with its management
That such couBe would be detri
mental to its interests morally, fnar
cially and in every respect, and thu
il will never be q success until the
9 are precluded.
.f mkoaa triaua hova fnl1v ov,ln;na