, 1890-08-26
A THRIFTY GOVERNOR.
He Believes a Public Office is a
Private Snap.
Warren Poses Before the People
as a Philanthropist,
But Manages to Feather His Own
Nest in the Meantime.

INC uOuinaliOu iof tHo OhCS Vi gOfeiuoI
has fallen to the lot OF Francis E. Warren.
1t was given him prolessedly because of
the great public services be is said to
have rendered the territory and the state
of Wyoming and in part payment of the
peoples debt to him. This fact alone
would be a sufficient justification for writ
ing this article, which is designed simply
to examine his claims upon the people
and to adjust the balance which may be
found due. But Judge Carey aud others
of tie Republican speakers and the Re-
publican press with touching and simple
unanimity have challenged a discussion
of this matter, and have asked in loud
and defiant tones when +. L. Warren
ever used his public position for his own
advantage or derived any profit from pub
lie Office?
Let US see if we can enlighten them.
On December 10, 1879, Francis E.
Warren was appointed, BY Governor
Hoyt, treasurer of Wyoming. He held
this office until his appointment as gov
ernor in 1885. By act of congress he
thereby became disqualified to hold any
Office under the territorial government.
But he was by no means inclined to
give up bis hold upon the public purse
which bad then become a source OF great
profit as well as honor. He, therefore,
in the vacation Of the legislature, in utter
disregard of the sense Of official propriety
and with an eye solely to his own selfish
interest, appointed W. P. Ganuett. an
employe of the Warren Mercantile com
pany and a close associate in business
with himself, to the position of treasurer.
In January, 1886, the legislature met,
and 1t became the duty Of Governor War
rem to submit to the council a nomination
for territorial treasurer. Contrary to the
territory and to the grea. chaerin even of
his party associates, he sent in the name
of W. p. Gannett.
Even the council, composed almost al
together Of the personal friends Of the
governor, for some time withheld its CON
sent from this nomination; but by those
peculiarly seductive and effective methods
" WulCu TUG RONtTuUf n1s DtcOu06 QOtOr-
ious in carrying his points, the objections
were overcome and Mr. Gannett WAS con
-irmed.
Right here VIC disclsim any intention
to reflect upon the personal character or
fitness Of Mr.. Gannett. BE bears a good
reputation aud under ordinary circum-
stances no objection could have been made
10 this appointment.
But the desperate means to which
Governor Warren was willing to resort in
order to retain his control Of the public
money very naturally creates some curios-
ity to know Why he should be SO much
concerned about it.
By these methods Governor Warren
practically retained control OF the treas
urer s office until March 81, 1888, hold
ing in the meanwhile the office of gov
ernor and for n term the Office of mem
Der of the territorial council. AT the end
Of the two years following Warren's ap-
pointment as territorial treasurer. there
was in tue treasury the sum of IA, 67S.06
the receipts up to that time with the
amount on hand at the beginning having
been $l07. 449. Al. The average balance
during the two years may be approx
mated by adding the balance at the end
OF the year TO one half the average annual
disbursement would make the sum Of
1914. 05I. AZ. Following the same process
for the succeeding years it will be found
that the average balance in the treasury
during over eight years when it was in
Warren's hands was about SIS. sos. 46.
During this time the annual tax levy for
territorial purposes ran along from one to
four mills. The rate was fixed by Treas
urer Warren and his political friends and
associates holding the office OF governor
and auditor. and was kept at four mills on
the dollar during the years 1880 and 1881
and at twu mills in 1882, notwithstanding
the fact that the smallest balance on hand
during those years alter paying the annual
expenses OF the territory for the year.
Year after year IN the reports of the
t~reasure and other officers the people of
the territory were congratulated upon the
splendid financial condition Of the terri
tory and were told the magnificent sum
OF surplus funds that lay ct its dis
posal.
But who profiited by this condition of
Thugs? Who received the income which
was or should have been realized from
the custody and handling of these vast
sums of money?
The average balance on hand in the
treasury during these eight years and
more, amounting as above stated to about
s..5,5OS.4 6 was worth to somebody at the
legal rate of interest over $75, 900.
Speaking precisely the interest on it at
Y per cent from December ID, 1879 to
March 81, 1888 amounted to SIS. lSl. &c.
Ii F. Il. Warren did not receive this
interest who did, The territory got none
of it. Aside from the political and bus.
iness influence which was derived from
the handling of 1910. 900. "a the actual
money profits were
The legal interest was...........$T5, sos. 46
The salary Of the treasurer was 5000. 90
His contingent funds were...... 1900. 90
The commissions on disburse-
meDts were...... ........... $500 IS
Totalvalue oft~reasurer's Office $50. 3I7. 81
But during the period from
1881 to 1887 the Pooh Bah of
territorial government drew as
governor contingent funds to
The amount of...:-...--..... s5, ". rs
Salary from the United States
neutrality-suspicious.: 7,soo.o 90
Contingent fund from United
States about................. 1,5Co oc
Total value of ofices........slo4GI4.6