Los Angeles herald., 1890-09-09
Still Another Republican
Official in Trouble.
County Recorder j. w. Francis
Under Investigation.
His Desire to Accommodate His Clerks
Involves Him in Difficulties.
The Statement of His Situation-Ee De-
clares There is Nothing Wrong in His
Afairs-Colonel Otis Talks About
the Matter.

County Recorder Francis bondsmen
held meeting on Wednesday last and
will hold another on next Wednesday.
Somebody had informed these gentle
men that Mr.. Francis had been indulg-
ing in certain methods which would
involve them in trouble. The bondsmen
appointed committee OF three to inves-
tigate and report at a meeting of all to
be held tomorrow. The bondsmen are
Messrs. Lindley, Otis, Hagan, Corcoran,
Weldon, Davis, Bonebrake, McKelvey,
Alexander and Pendleton.
There is strong indication that a sub
ordinate of Mr.. Francis has been work
ing the matter up with view to knock
ing that gentleman out for nomination,
and securing that distinction for him
self.
Several stories were told the bonds
men about Mr.. Francis, which all CEN
tered on one fact-that he had been
issuing time checks to employees for
more money than was due them.
The facts as they come to the HERALD
are as follows:
Mr.. Gibson, Mr.. Francis predecessor,
was in the habit Of advancing their
salary to his employees. Presumably
he did this out of his own pocket.
When Mr.. Francis entered the office,
he found that the clerks expected him
to do the same. He is a poor man and
he could not spare the money He so
tifcates b that their salaries were due
them. and would be paid them on
certain day. These they have been in
the habit Of getting discounted by the
California Loan and Trust company, the
concern in the Phillips block, which
was robbed OF some valuable diamonds
in a very mysterious manner a few
weeks ago. This concern discounted
these time checks for two per cent.
Mr.. Francis, there is no doubt, did
issue some OF these time checks for a
little more money than was due the
recipient, but he did this at his own
risk, and could only lose if the clerkdied
before the extra amount became due.
In no case have these overdrafts eX
ceeded 5000, Mr.. Francis claims, and
were only given as matter OF con-
venience to employees who he knew
would remain in his service.
Mr.. Francis told HERALD reporter
yesterday that these overdrafts had
never exceeded 5000, and that any loss
resulting from them would have fallen
not on his bondsmen, but on himself.
Colonel H. G. Otis, editor of the
Times. one of the bondsmen, was seen
last evening by HERALD reporter and
in reply to questions made the following
statement:
1.-the matter of Mr. Francis and his
bondsmen is still in an undecided state.
The bondsmen, so far as | know, have
no desire to deal summarily or unjustly
with him. His affairs are still under in
vestigation, and nothing, so far as |
know, has been developed on his part
at all fragrant or criminal. The most
that can be said is that minor Irregular
tiles have been discovered in his con-
duct of the finances of his department.
These irregularities appear to have
grown out of his laudable desire to ac-
commodate the clerks and other en-
plovees of his Office in the matter
of securing them advances on account OF
their salaries before the time for giving
them their monthly warrants. think
the system is susceptible of abuse with
out necessarily involving the Recorders
integrity, and it is probable that it will
be abolished.
''Mr. Francis has appeared before the
bondsmen at their request, and has
apparently given satisfactory answers
to their,several inquiries. AS for my
self, as one of these bondsmen, 1 will
say that shall certainly refuse to aid
in sacrificing Mr.. Francis through the
pressure of conspiracy or prosecution, If
such there be, and | am inclined to be-
lieve that my co-bondsmen feel as do
in regard to this matter, though | do
not wish to be understood as speaking
for them authoritatively.
''It is notable yet not peculiar Cir
cumstance that these rumors re-
garding Mr.. Francis and his alleged
misdemeanors have come thick and
fast since the canvass for his successor
has come up. I will repeat what
said at the beginning, that the investiga-
tion has not yet been concluded.
Should it result in proving Mr.. Francis
culpable, he will be publicly exposed,
but should it vindicate him l have
no doubt that he will be sustained as be