Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-03-20
OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE.
Relative to Alleged Crooked Trans
actions of the State Engineer.
The following correspondence is self
Ynlanatorv
STATE OF CALrroRsIA

explanatory
STATE OF CALIFORNIA,
OFFICE OF CoSTRoLLtR March H. 1855.
Hon. Geo Il. johnson. Attorney GelerdL-DEAR
SIR respectfully call your attention to the
following facts: The Legislature of 1885 by
Assembly joint resolution No. l. authorized the
publication of an edition of the final report of
the State Engineer on The problem of irrigation,
etc the same to be published under the direc-
ton of the Governor, Superintendent of State
Printing and the State Engineer. In order to
carry out this work appropriation OF $50 600
was made for the thirty seventh and thirty
eighth fiscal years. On June 80, 1897 the end of
the thirty eighth fl cal year there remained a
balance TO the creoit of this appropriation, of
50 $50 6S, which sum cou not under
the law be used except in lquida-
ton of liabilities which had accrued
against the Appropriation during the two fiscal
Years for which it had been specifically appTO-
pnated. On June 30, 1857. the officers named in
the resolution approved claims against the ap-
balance. Each approval was accom- panied by
bill from the respective commercial houses,
bearing date prior TO June 80, 1887, and alleg-
ing that the materials had already been fur
nished and the labor performed Each bill was
signed, " Correct Vim. Ham Hall. state En-
gineer" These demands were presented TO the
State Board OF hammers allowed by them,
and warrants for The payment of those claims
were issued by me. Having learned during the
past week that some of the work for which
bills were presented and approved June 30,
4
completed. 1 made an investigation of the
matter. and aseertained that, although
the bills were approved on June 30, 1887,
and purported TO he for work already done at
that time; yet. even al the present time, some
of the work has not been commenced, some only
finished during the past month, ana the major
portion of the work Tor which the bills were APP
proved on June 80, 1857, and signed correct by
the State Engineer, was finished and, in fact,
commenced subsequent to that date Ny object
in addressing you III this matter Is to inform
/ faff naan Ft in.
ing as correct claim against the State when
| he knew that no such CAIN existed at that
! time. The purpose OF the state Engineers ac-
| ton is obvious. The balance TO the credit OF
| the appropriation on June 30 1SS7-as already
stated-could not be applied to the payment OF
| work done after that date, and the State En-
gineer. in order that the money should be used
signed, as correct, these bills, and allowed war
] rants TO be drawn against the State Treasurer
| that never should have been drawn l might
| add that all but three of the warrants have
| you suggest what may be necessary for the re-
| turn of the warrants and also what action
should be taken in regard TO the State Engineer
| conduct In the matter. Yours, respectfully,
| JOHN 2. DUNN, Controller.
OFFICE OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL
SACRAMENTO, March 10. 1888.
Hon. John p. Dunn, Controller Of .State-DEAB
| SIR: In reply to yours of the 18th instant, in
| forming me that the State Engineer has know
| ingly given false certificate in respect &c
| claims connected with his department, on
which certificate the claims were allowed and
warrants drawn, have to say that you viii call
on the District Attorney of this county, whom !
have seen in respect TO the matter, and who
will see that proper complaint is filed.
! have learned that the holders of the war
| rants were acquainted with all the facts when
| they took them, and this is the reason l pre-
sumo that the outstanding warrants, though
! long since drawn have never been presented TO
| the State Treasurer for payment. | have di-
rected the State TT asurer to refuse to honor
| them until he is further advised by Very
truly yours, G. A. JOHNSON,
Attorney General.