The Bozeman weekly chronicle. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1883-1889, 1886-02-03
THE REPORT.

the records, with the exception OF that
part which answers by numerous figures
Mr.. Blakeley's alleged peculations. This
We found too large for our space, and as
the recapitulation and explanatory re-
marks completely cover this ground, we
do not deem il of vital importance. To
90 back a few months, it will he remem
bered that expert Wylie finished his
report, and that, instead of being given
to the judge, who ordered it made, it was
handed to the grand jury of the last term
of court,who very hastily and unreason-
ably passed judgement upon it in the
following language:
I'VE have examined the reports of
the experts, Messrs. w. w. Wylie and
R. II. Crawford, who were appointed by
your Honor, at the last term of court, to
inquire into the accounts Of certain
officials, and hope said reports will be
published for the information of the
citizens who are interested therein, as
taxpayers.
"Prom this report 1t appears that some
of our late county officials have been
grossly negligent, and in many instances
have committed criminal offences in the
discharge of their official duties"
cit is evident that William S. McKen-
zie and Chas P. Blakeley have collected
from this county, as sherifis, illegal fees
to large amount
The amount of overcharges by Mr..
Blakeley is S1,73282. The amount of
the overcharges by Mr.. Mckenzie, dur
ing the last six months of his term of
Office, is $42l 80"
at also appears that w. F. Sloan,
while county treasurer, failed to collect
the percentage upon delinquent taxes
amounting to 81 ,53l75. and the amount
of license which should have been paid
to this official, but was not collected by
him, $3,905.31. The expert is of the
opinion that these figures do not show
more than one-half of the amount that
might be found upon more complete
examination
"The grand jury respectfully recon-
mends that the reports of the experts be
transmitted to the county commissioners
for their consideration, and they be, and
are hereby requested to cause civil and
criminal proceedings to be instituted
by the proper authorities for the pur-
pose of recovering the sums of money
which have been lost to the county.
through the acts of omission and COM
mission on the part of its officers, and to
secure the punishment of their crimes, if
any have been committed"
Members of the grand jury have since
disclaimed any intention to do the
accused the injustice they did, and in
extenuation, claim that thew were in
structed to couch their report il the Ian
guage in which it appeared. If this and
other rumors be true, District Attorney
Blake has perpetrated an objectionable
injustice upon the men concerned, by
opening the report, which was first
intended for the eye of the judge; and
then urging the grand jury to pass upon
it, without giving it the investigation it
required. That Mr.. Wylie was some
what anxious to cast reflections upon
the accused, is PLAIN from the numerous
throughout the document,
and the suggestions that are foreign to
the work he was employed to perform.
Immediately after the grand jury report
was published, G. P. Blakeley, one of the |
accused, demanded hearing. This was
granted, and the results can be seen
elsewhere. BY the grand jury Mr..
Blakeley is accused of overcharging the
county the amount Of $1,73282 The
find that the total amount
If his overcharges through palpable
errors, were only $ll627. They End that
n the matter of keeping prisoners alone,
he has un1ercharged $22825; and then
1--WE linn credit for $1l209, and to prove
hat his under charges are vastly more
han his over charges, they add that he is
Untitled to several hundred dollars more
han he charged at the time The COM
nissioners' report upon Mr.. Sloan's
ccounts, while not so exhaustive as that
pom Mr.. Biakeiey, is equally as compre-
Iensive. It appears elsewhere in full
nd fully justifes the implicit confidence
laced in the gentleman. Regarding the
1 ,1l6O0 uncollected by Mr.. Gardner, we
re informed that there are differences
f opinion among LAWYERS, regarding the
,gality of the matter, and as this il the
rst intimation we have had that Mr.
iardner had been exported upon we
re not competent to speak intelligently
pom this subject.
Sheriff McKenzie's indebtedness is
laced at $44.65 instead Of S42lO5. Mr..
IcKenzie says that at the time he was
! office, or within the thirty days
lowed the county commissioners to
sview their own work, he could have,
e thinks, satisfactorily accounted for
lis amount. The probate judges past
nd present, were investigated, and the
gibility Of the latter's books very fat
ringly commended. Thus ends in
noke the widespread rumors of pecnla-
ons and dishonesty, whick has agitated
lie public mind for the past three years,
he examination is thorough vindica- I
on, an everlasting eKoneration, that
'uld only be accomplished as it was
ven had the judge refused ID allow the \
port the light Of public scrutiny there !
e many who would have harped upon
e matter until the Judgment day, to
> nothing Of the political thunder it /
ould have produced. 4