, 1890-12-04
THE LATE AUDITOR.
He and His Deputy Before Legis-
Iatiye nyestigators.
Both Make Explanations Regarding
Certain Items
And EffsctuaIIy Upset the Supposed
Conspiracy Against Them.

Inc LEGISLATIVE committee 10 nNesugaIe
certain accounts of ex Auditor Nj. N.
Grant held a meeting yesterday at Au-
ditor Burdick's Office. The committee
consists of Senator Mondell, chairman;
Davis of johnson and Sutherland OF
Albany.
TIE committee was called upon to in
vestigate, first, the issuance of certificates
of Indebtedness for the salary of q. W.
Stewart. deputy auditor, and d. W. Gill,
who acted in a similar capacity from
March 81 last until the Office was turned
over to the present auditor. The
amount involved was 1922. The second
count was that a certificate for 81 1000
was issued to c. W. Stewart in
alleged part payment of his salary from
Mareh 81, 1888 until March 81, 1890.
The third count involved the sum of
1914. SO, the amount of a certificate Is
sued to Stewart for furniture sold aud
money advanced by him to pay running
expenses OF the office. The fourth count
related to a voucher for 81. 400 issued by
Mr.. Grautto himself to cover the amount
be had paid in salary to his deputy dur
ing the past four years. There were also
references made to a bill of 500 for at
torneys fees contracted by the auditor IN
his official capacity.
The investigation was brought about by
a legislative committee which examined
he auditors account. This report, sub
mittca to tho legislature. was a rather
mysterious document, and lett the infer
ence that the auditor had been engaged
in some peculiar transactions. 1t may be
said. to begin with. that no money has
yet been paid on any Of the certificates
involved in the investigation. They have
never left Grants possession, and he
himself called the attention OF Speaker
Kellogg to the matter in a written COM
municatlon, saying that if on inYestiga-
tion it was found the state was not justly
liable for the amount the certificates could
be cancelled.
The main witnesses were ex-Auditor
Grant and ex-Deputy Auditor Stewart,
statements being made by Col. Bryan aud
ex-Attorney General Donzleman.
In regard to the first item under in
vestiGation (the salaries of the deputy
audiIors) law was quoted t show that
the auditor. when a nonresident of
Cheyenne shall" and under other cir
cun,stances may appoint a
deputy. 1t was claimed that the work
was too great for any one man to per-
torm. The compensation was inadequate
considering the amount of work per
formed. The report of. Perry l.. Smith
was cited to chow that he recommended
the appointment Of. a deputy with a
salary OF 81, 800 and a contingent fund for
the Office of $1,000. Grant and Stewart
showed that the CONTINGENT OF the gov
ernor's Office was 81 200 a year for the
past four years, the secretary's office
5000 a year from 1886 to 1888 and $1,000
a year from that date to the present year.
This was in ambition to a contingent and
salary from the general government.
For the two years beginning in 1886 the
auditors Office was run at an expense Of
s., 200 and the following two years for
So, 100. so. Some other. public offices cost
the territory between IS. 900 and $40. GOO.
Two years ago the duties of insurance
commissioner were added to the office.
Grant was then obliged to put in half hi:
time attending to the duties while
Stewart found time to attend to nothing
else. Stewart continued IN office only
with the understanding that his salary
should be increased.
The furniture bought by Grant from
Stewart was furniture owned by the latter
but in use in the auditors office for nearly
six years. 1t was shown that this was
the only furniture bought in that length
OF time and without it the office wa:
practically bare of everything. The price
did did not seem to paralyze the con.
mittee.
When the capitol was readu for occu.
pancy rooms were provided for all terri
torial officers. The then attorney genera
subsequently sent in a bill for Office reut
down town. Grant refused to pay the
amount and suit was brought to recover
He employed Bryan, Sewers & Stew
art to conduct tie case for the territory
and the supreme court decided adversely
to the attorney general. Law was quoted
to show the authority acted under in EN-.
ploying counsel. In regard to Stewart
! salary 1t was shown hat the veterinarian