The Russellville Democrat., 1881-09-29
THE FORTHCOMING RE-
 PORT.

to investigate the deficit which oc: cured in the Treasurer's office while Governor Churchill was Treasurer, will doubtless have soon ended their labors, and will submit their report to an anxious people. At any rate. it seems to us that the fullness of time has come when the results of the investigation, be they what they may, should be given to the people. We arc aware that the length of time consumed, and the great care and caution taken in the work, give ground for the apprehension of the serious nature of their report. It is barely possible that, in view of cor tain contingencies that might arise in case of an adverse report, the Committee may be sncirclsd with q pressure to either continue the sem. blancs of an investigation, or else to withhold the result until time when it can be proclaimed without any risk of an election. For, iR case the report should contain an impsach- ment, whether that impeachment would work such disability on the part of tho Governor to discharge the duties of his office AS is contempla!- ed in the constitution or not, still it would likely bring after 1t such con ditlens as would perhaps be as sffsc- tual in making a vacancy in his of- flee. In fact, we do not believe that 8 simple report from this Committee even in it's worst supposable form, would of itself work any legal disa. bility on the part of the Governor to discharge the duties of his office. In that form, however, it might become the foundation of legal proceeding in some part of whose scope might be embraced such an incident. Or the Governors pride and sense of propriety might suggest his volunta " vacation of the office, until his vindlcation could be accomplished; i; or again, there might possibly be such a popular demand from the peo- pie as to compel the Governors re- signation. Any one of these contin- gencies, or all com bincd, mig ht hap pen 70 as to relieve the State of her present Governor. In such an event, by the provisions ofthe Constitution, MT. Tipton, President of the Senate, would become Governor.
 The Constitution provides that Tn case of the disability of the Govern or to discharge tho duties of his of fee. the President of the Senate shall become Governor, and, if the disability occur in the last twelve months of the term for which any Governor is elected, he remains in the office until the next regular election. It further provides, that, if a vacancy occurs in the Govern ors's office in the first twelve months of the term, tho President of the Senate, or Speaker of the House of Representatives, as the case may be, acting Governor for the time being, shall immediately cause an election to be held to All such vacancy. Hence, if the report should be with held until after the lst of January next, no necessity for an election would arise, let events take what ever shape they might.
 We are aware that, in discussing this matter at this time, we may be thought by some to be out of season and to be acting moro from the stand point of our fears than our judgement. We would that our fears had lees foundation and our judge ment had dictated to us otherwise; for we eau heartily give assurance that it is matter of rsgrst to us to have to deal with suoh a matter as public journalists, and the regret is the stronger that the occasion was given by citizen of Governor Chur- chilrs surroundings and sntecedsnts. We heartily join in the belief, how. ever, that Governor Churchill is in. nocent of any criminal connection with any act by which this deficit (whichws think amounts almost to an established fact, was brought about.
 The extent, we think, of his crimi- nality will be found to be his want of vigilance in the conduct of his of Ace, in turning it over to his subor. dinatss in such implicit confidence ss to enable them to fileh ths peo- pls's money without the danger of hIs detection.
 -Mora Indian trouhles m the far