Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1886-01-27
IT,Ws EXPENSIVE COMMISSION.
The New York "worId's'' Corrcs-
dent Brings Forth some Inter-
cettng Facts.

The following Washington special to
the New York World has not come over
the wires along with other dispatches,
and as it refers to the Utah Commission
it will have local interest. 1t is pleas
ant reading and shows the inner working
of a great II useless institution:
WASHINGTON, January 10.-The Commits
sioners appointed in 1882 under the Ed
munds Utah bill are in hot water. They
have evidently had a very pleasant time at
the expense of the public without accom-
sioners who were appointed by President
Arthur are Ex-Gov. Ramsey, ex-senator
Paddock, ex-Assistant U. s. District At
torney Godfrey, of Iowa. A. B. Carlton, OF
Indiana; and Mr.. Pettigrew, of Arkansas.
These gentlemen knew scarcely anything
about Utah or the Mormons. Their duties
were simply to have charge of the appoint
ment of registration and election officers,
the canvas of the votes for members of the
Territorial Legislature, and the preventing
Mormons from voting or holding Office.
Their salaries were fixed at $4,000 each per
annum, and they were allowed $4,000 for
expenses of the Commission, for printing,
stationery, clerk hire and rent" while
S250oO was appropriated for election ex-
penses.
;. The Commissioners have taken advantage
of the comma after the word Commission"
in the law allowing them $4,000 year for
expenses, and have interpreted the act SO as
to allow them to charge for personal ex-
penses. Messrs. Ramsey, Paddock, Godfrey,
Carlton and Pettigrew went to Salt Lake
City shortly after their appointment. They
were all non-residents. They allowed them
selves to listen to the advice of those who
had prejudices one way or the other, and it
fNs,ptn
missioners so far have had no beneicent
effect. Only a few polygamists have been
convicted, and about three thousand polyga-
mists have been refused suffrage. The Com
missioners have had S65,000 year for sal
aries and expenses. They organized sort
of government of their own, hired relatives
for clerks, and drew on the expense account
for their personal outlay.
Scarcely one of the Commissioners has re-
manned more than two months continuously
in Utah. They make frequent visits to
Washington, and render an account of the
cost of the trips to the Treasury Depart
ment. They do not go together, but travel
berths, railroad fare and meals, and draw
regularly their 5000 q year. Sometimes
they go on short excursions and foraging
expeditions. There is one voucher on file in
the Auditors office from Commissioner
Godfrey as follows: august 80, 1885; ex-
peliseS lTOln sottlb luhe Slty W DeS uholleS,
Ia, and return from the meeting of the Utah
ommission-sleeping- fare, 1915; rail
road fare, S4.25; meals Ell route, $5.25; bus
fare, ST."
In September, last year, Commissioner
Paddock took flying trip to Omaha. Here
is his account: "Sleeping car, Ogden to
Omaha, SIS; seven meals, $3.50; omnibus at
Salt Lake City, % cents; total, $21.75." Mr..
Paddock's board at Salt Lake City from
July IL to September z, 1885, cost the Gov
eminent $145.6O. These are few samples
of the personal expense bills rendered by the
Commissioners The most impudent one,
however, was a bill of S54.3S for laundry ex-
penses for 1888. The Treasury Department
drew line here and threw this item out.
The Treasury Department, under the
present management, protested against pay
ing the personal expense bills of the Com
missioners, but was compelled, under the
strict construction of the law, to pay their
feeding and travelling expenses, although
such expenses were never contemplated in
the original law. 1t is said the duties of the
Commissioners can be better performed, and
for great deal less money, by change.
The clause in the Edmunds act continuing
this Commission indefinitely will be sharply
attacked in the House.