Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-01-08
Dunn's Business.

Considering the facility with which poll
ticians escape legal punishment when tried
in California Courts for embellishments
committed while in public office it is we'll
perhaps, that Clerk Mccarthy was given so
good an opportunity for flight to Honolulu
as if he had been overhauled at the wharf
by Controller Dunn, the Watchdog of the
Capitol, and placed in jail to await ac-
quittal. This is a free-and- easy view. con-
sistent with the experiences OF the times
but not acceptable as an excuse for the de-
llnquencies of Dunn. When Gray, of the
Harbor Commission office, was discovered
to be short in his accounts Dunn sent for
him, demanded a settlement, and waited
vainly for it while Gray fled to Mexico.
putting the State to several thousands of
dollars of expense to bring him back. Ex-
perlence Wa not good teacher for Dunn.
and when the Controller learned of Nc
earthly shortages he repeated his blunder
ana permltted the Clerk to become flgi-
tive: The Controller has been asked WHY
he did not cause McCarthy's arrest when
he learned of his financial crookedness
and is reported as answering: " Because Il
was no business of mine whatever. NV
simple duty under the law is to ascertain
that the bills are correct. In all bills CON
tracted Tor the Supreme Court, Section ~
of the Code of Civil Procedure REQUIRES me
to make the warrants out in the name OF
the Clerk of the Supreme Court He is the
discussing agent. When a warrant, prop-
erly issued. leaves my hands properly. |
have nothing to do with it. WHY.
if i We're to assume to constitute myself
a Board of Examiners, public prosecutor.
or general protector of every person in
whose name a warrant is issued or for
whom it is intended, 1 think it would
not be long before people began
to think | was assuming too much'
This is an unexpected position for the
refuge of Mr.. Dunn. His general course
in the Controllers office would show that
he has labored studiouslv to gain the repu-
tatlon OF an official Watchdog, a guardian
OF public interests, and desirable candi-
date for Governor. The State administra-
ton preceding his term OF office was Re-
publican, and in hunting for rascals he did
not feel the inconvenient risk of uncover
ing rascals of his own party His zeal was
not an immediate menace to Democratic
ambitions, and his party encouraged his in
vestlgatlons and exposures. But q bomb
shell came when +. f. Lealle of Dixon.
charged Mccarthy with being short in his
accounts, and called Dunn to task for not
having proceeded against him as against
dishonest Republicans. Leake was sued
for libel, the libel suit was compromised.
MeOarthy maze good his shortage, and
Dunn left clear way for the new dishon-
esty in the Clerks office Mr.. Dunn's
business has embraced one method for Re
publicans and another for Democrats.
Gray and some of his confederates are in
San Quentin. Burns and Reynolds were
placed in JAIL but peculiarly of the Jury
system let them out. Mccarthy is on his
way TO Honolulu, because il was not the
business of Controller Dunn, as Demo-
crat, to interfere with Democratic dishon-
esty. How far the episode will help Dunn
on The way to the gubernatorial chair is a
thing remaining for the dull heads of the
dear people to determine.-[Stockton hide
pendent.