The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1879-01-31

ecuted according to the letter Of the
law.
The sherifFs mileage act was passed
in 1864, and has been upon the statute
book ever since. But a subsequent act,
providing for a per diem and compen-
sation of certain expenses to sherifis,
was held by the committee to cover all
allowances. 1t appears that the sub
sequent act does not repeal the mileage
act, nor specially conflict with it. The
secretary of state, who is auditor Of
public accounts, on the claim Of the
sheriffs supported by their sworn state
ments, ruled that both statutes were in
force, and paid the mileage The sec
retary's accounts have been biennially
laid before the Legislature and ap-
proved. hear no Prstenso of fraud or
collusion. The question raised is q
technicality of law, and the sheriffs, II
it should be determined that they have
received too much, can refund the over
payment. The animus with which this
item IL scheduled against me will be OBJ
served when | state that the constitu-
ton of Oregon provides for the election
Of the secretary Of state by the people,
makes him auditor of public accounts,
requires him to give bond to the State,
and to report biennially 10 the Legisla-
tive assembly, and not to the governor.
And there is no provision in that in
strument which give the executive any
authority or influence with the secreta-
~ of state. The secretary Of state is
an independent officer, and is author
lied to give advice to tho Legislature
on fiscal affairs. Whether right or
wrong in this matter, / never was con-
suited in the premises by the secretary,
and have had nothing whatever to do
with it. / mover heard in Oregon that
there was a question about the sheriff's
mileage.
THE THIRrEgS TmousANs TWO HUNDRED
DOLLARS.
This sum i. stated as "quartermAster
stores in the ModoS war unaccounted
for" That this statement is false, ,andfalse
without excuse, will proceed to dem
snstrate. In the nature OF the service
no large quantity of quArtermAster
stores could accumulate or be disposed
Of 50 as to remain unaccounted for.
Fer no stores were purchased except on
requisition for immediate use, and
when delivered were receipted for, and
an account was required of their ex-
penditure or return. To show that all
this money was accounted for, / will
produce q record which cannot be gain
said. l refer to the report Of tho late
Inspector General James A. Hardie, Of
the United States Army, now deceased.
The Modoc hostilities occurred in
1872 and 1873.
BY order Of the secretary of war, un-
der act of congress approved June 3,
1874, General Hardie, was directed to
examine and report upon this very Mo
doc service. He promptly proceeded
lad executed the duty. His report is
contained in the House of Representa-
tives Executive Document No.45, forty
third congress, second session, and
touching the exact subject of this
charge reads as follows
Having finished :. the investigation
with which l have been charged, re-
pert in the premises as follows:
Immediately upon the receipt Of my
orders I proceeded to Oregon and Cali
fsrnia. Arriving at Salem, Oregon, /
called upon Gov. Grover, who prompt
ly and cheerfulIy put the records of his
Office at my disposition, and furnished
me every other facility for my investi-
CATION. The secretary Of state, the ad-
iutant general, the governors secretary,
the commanding and staff officers Of the
troops, and other State officers all ron
dered me every assistance in their Po~-
er. The assistant adjutant general Of
the department Of Columbia, Major II.
Clay Wood, also afforded me important
aid
visited the different places in the
States named, where the more import
ant purchases were made and expenses
were incurred. examined all persons
that could reach, connected in any
way with the accounts in question, gen
orally under oath, requiring in mosI
cases sworn statements of the correct
necs of their reports as presented to the
State. / ascertained the nature of tht
transactions Of the administrative off
GERS connected with the expedition, and
every other important fact, it Is be
lieved, relating to the acquisition ol
disposition of the property concerned
tho rising, service, and disbandonment
Of the troops.
Having been at the lava beds during
the Medoc operations last year, anG
having travelled over most of the routes
used by che troops, was in positieI
to become readily acquainted, through
q second visit, with the leading fea
lures of the region in which the ex
psnditures originated, and, besides, Il
become we'll acquainted with men ant
things concerned.
Thus prepared for an intelligen
study Of these accounts, laborious car
has been expended in their examins
tion, with view to a report Thereon
satisfactory to the war department, an
furnishing safe basis of action there
upon by Congress"
On page this report l read
"On the Oath of March, i S74, Genera
Schofsld forwarded to the war depart
ment a communication from. Governo
La Fafyette Grover, of Oregon, date
February l3, 1874, being full repor
of the history Of the Modoc troubles
of the connection of the State author
ties with the military operations resorl
ed to for the suppression of the Modo
disturbances and for the protection {