The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1891-12-18

and read them to him. The latter laid down
h hand at once, and without waiting fol
his resignation to be requested, Informed { 4
governor that II would be forthcoming In the
near future. Then it was that Governs I
Winans said that If the matter was to be
settled in this manner the resignation must
take effect at once, otherwise an investga
ton would be ordered i'm accordance with
the proper procedure, and his removal would
undoubtedly follow. After considering the
matter until nearly midnight, SOper con-
clnded that discretion was the better part of
valor and sent in his resignation. The
charges, which cover the entire ground and
tell "A tale of official corruption unparalleled
in the history of Michigan are as follows:
THE CHARGES IN FULL.
TO Honorable Edwin Il. Winans, Governor OF
the State of Michigan:
Your petitioner, Frank B. Johnson, n resident
OF the city of Lansing, Ingham county, Michigan,
respectfully represents that Daniel E. Soper,
secretary OF state OF the state OF Michigan, has
been guilty OF corrupt conduct and NAL
feasance in office In his said office OF
secretary of state, in that he has from on or
about the first day of May, A. D., 1891 and up to
the present time disposed OF and distributed
without receiving pay therefor or without exact
ing pay therefor and for personal emoluments
and considerations large number to Wit, 200 OF
the legislative manuals OF the state OF Michigan
belonging to the state of Michigan, which said
manuals were so distributed without authority
and contrary to law; and also that he has, during
the same period and for the same purposes as
hereinbefore assigned, disposed OF large num-
Der OF SETS to wit, fifty sets Of Howelrs Ammo
tated Statutes of the state Of Michigan without
authority and contrary to law, and without re-
ceiving or exacting pay therefor; and also That
he has, within the same period OF time disposed
OF large numbers OF volumes OF the public acts OF
ceiving pay therefor, which he has failed to turn
over to the state of Michigan and has appro-
priated to his own use, and which said disposi
ton OF said public acts was without authority
and contrary to law; and also that he has WITHIN
the same period OF time purchased large
quantity OF unnecessary supplies Tor the use OF
the various departments of the state, which said
purchases were made that he might personally
profit by making same; and also that he has
during the SAID time appropriated money receiv-
ed for the state, and also that he has during the
same time negotiated for and purchased supplies
and received q money consideration from the
parties so contracting and furnishing the same
and also that he has during said time attempted
to get money as consideration for purchasing for
the state supplies; and also that he has in the
last thirty days purchased large quantity OF
blank paper, to wit, two carloads or more at the
old contract price which said contract price Is
one half cent per pound in excess OF the contract
price of said paper under the contract which
would become In force and operative on the first
day of January A. ID. 1892, and all Of which said
paper Is at the present time, was at the time OF
n nor Of the
ments of the state, or for any purpose whatso-
ever connected with the state purposes and
which said paper by reason Of the purchase
thereof having been made as aforesaid under the
old contract was purchased at cost to the state
OF $500 In the aggregate in excess OF what IL
would cost under the contract which would be-
come operative on the LIST day Of January 1892;
also that he the said Daniel +. Soper, did, on or
about the 23d day of October, A. ID. 1891, demand
of Louis f. Rowley deputy secretary, OF state
(his deputy that he pay portion OF his salary
to him, to w.t. $500 to him, said Daniel e. Soper,
said secretary of state and reported thereafter
that unless he, the said Louis e. Rowley, did so
pay such sum, he would be removed from his
position as deputy secretary of state, and which
said sum was sought to be exacted from the said
Louis l.. Rowley as condition of his being re.
tanned in his said position as deputy secretary OF
of state.
Your petitioner, therefore, says that an ex-
animation may be made by your excellency into
the condition and affairs of the said Office OF
said secretary Of state and into and concerning
the official conduct of the said Daniel E. Soper,
secretary of state as such officer.
The above petition is signed and duly
verified by Frank d. johnson, mayor of the
city of Lansing.