The Bozeman weekly chronicle. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1883-1889, 1885-11-04
CARD FROM c. P. BLAKELY

| Elk IF6aSuEST.
CARD FROM c. P. BLAKELY
Editor of the Chronicle
feel myself called upon to answer the
report of the late Gallatin County Grand
Jury, or, as the Courier rejnices to call it,
'Carlessness and Dishonesty" If my
memory serves me Alright, have never
written newspaper article before in my
lie, but silence in this case is unbearable
and would be construed by many as a
tactic admission of the allegations made
against me in the report. While the
| above report, in my opinion, is only
made for the purpose of blackening the
names of a few men, and the originators
believed that nothing further would come
oft, except, as one of the Grand Jurors
expressed himself that it "would have
been good political document" Good
Grand Jury Now, if the Grand Jury
found that myself or any other ex-otticer
had robbed the county Of any sum what
ever, the proper course would be to in.
dict us all, as the very astute lawyer and
exjudge knows. This, We ~ been
a preferable course to u.s. = s-.Ehole
thing shows upon its flee that it is a
very richly concocted scheme; for in
stance, one of the Grand Jurors, and
probably more, made the remark that
they were "sorry that Mr.. Crawford had
the examination of Blacks accounts"
had Wylie done so "tlie result would
have been different" or words to that
effect.
The overcharges of Mckenzie for the
last six months of his term were, accord
ing to the report, $42l05 like mine of
$l,732.S2. They say not one word about
what the overcharges were for / don't
suppose they ever wi |. There is one,
however, that know OF myself, that is
an item by Geo. w Metcalf, deputy at
Livingston, mileage for going anu re-
turning from Helena and while have
not looked at the item, Metcalf has talk
ed to Wyle about it, and from the words
and figures Wylie expressed himself as
being satisfied that the error was cleri-
cal one:
1t is hard matter to answer such
charges as Blake and Wylie have made.
say Blake and Wylie from the fact that
the Grand Jury added but little to the
document. Y'ur readers will IN all pro-
liability ask how came in possession of
such information regarding the Grand
Jury? will say to you as gentleman
of honor, as l regard myself, notwith-
standing the charge of Blake and Wylie,
that ain not at liberty to tell from
whom and where | obtained this infor-
nation.
The next victim is w. F. Sloan, who,
it is claimed failed to collect the percent
age on delinquent taxes, amounting to
1885, and the amount of licenses,
which he should have collected is put at
S3,90531. The report says further that
they recommend the reports of the ex-
perts be transmitted to the county COM
missioners for their consideration, and
they be, and are hereby requested to
cause civil and criminal proceedings, and
to procure the punishment of their
crimes, If any hare been perpetrated." If
l mistake not, there was an order made
by the county commissioners directing
Mr.. Sloan not to collect the percentage
on delinquent taxes for certain period
and as for the licenses which he should
or might have collected there is nothing
in it. Mr.. Sloan was siraply too well and
fayorably known to escape the imputa-
tions of this Cabal, and let me in concur
sion say that in all my past history, if
by mistake or otherwise, | have wrong
fully collected any SUM whatever, from
individual or otherwise, l am ready to
refund it. l would also further ask the
public to look into Mr.. W!lie's account
and while they are getting in their I'M
stated dues, endeayor to obtain some
thing that is tangible. Gardner 4 Wylie,
insurance agents, have occupied one of
main offices for the transaction of their
business for the last year and half and
so long as l remained at the court house
| never knew them to spend one dollar
for fuel or lights So, the office with oil
fine lamps, fuel &C., would be cheap at a
rental of SIS per month, amounting to
ST. $50 yearly. 1t may be said that the
county furnishes him an Office. Admit
ting that such is the fact, there is much
more business comes to him as fire insur-
ance agent.
Then again, Mr.. Wylie asks to be con-
tinued as an expert (2). Why not? The
county commissioners have already paid
him 81 200, for what? For remaining in
the court house, burning county fuel,
using county oil and lamps, and making
money out of the insurance business, all
for work that could have been easily
completed in sixty DAYS, if not less, by
person Of sufficient intelligence to find
fee bill without having to 60 to outside
parties. or an order from the county
commissioners relative to delinquent
taxes.
When see Wylie's report you will
hear from me again.
C. P. BLAKELY.
Bozeman. Oct. 29th. ieS5