Telegram-herald., 1891-12-19
SOPER'S SLICK METHODS
More Reasons for the Downfall OF
the Secretary Of state.
IOOK EVERYTHING THAT VAS 'tOS
Cav. Wtsans Ex Is ss why His Rev :
sAtisa Mas seaght-A a. nami tee
xAplola sa 10 Sl1s sAs 49,
tsr 10 the BottozzA.

LASsISG, Mich. Dee. Is-owing To
The fact that the specifications which
accompanied Mayor Johnson's charges
against Secretary of State Soper are
withheld for the present it is impos-
sibls to give more than . general idea
of ,hs ai,ueticn-
Took Eserythinsssa sight.
Wednesday nights dispatches covered
the ground quite thoroughly. but in ad-
ditien il may be said that the charge
OF rccsivng money not turned over TO
the state includes the appropriation
of remittances sent in letters
for copies Of records, volumes of
public acts, etc. They also in-
elude collnsion with clerk to the ex-
tent of dividing with the latter fees re-
ceived for work done by him during
Office hours. and alleging that tho mon
ey had all been paid 10 the clerk for
extra work. The purchasing of
costly rugs. towels, tides and fur
niturc, which were wholly unueces-
sary, and which have not all found
their way into the statehouse. is also
covered by the general bill. 1t is
further alleged that Mr. Soper sought
to place orders for paper with firms
who would pay him the largest COM
mission. and in every possible way en-
deavor To feather his nest whether by
fair means or foul.
His Denial Carries No Weight.
The dcposed official in an interview
entered ageneral denial of the charges,
but would give no good reason for re-
signing. When pressed for an explain
alton Of the various illegal and crimi-
nal acts with which he was charged he
made no defense. The fact that he re-
signed. rather than stand IA 'nvesriga-
ton, is held by many a. conclusive
evidence of guilt.
An Iuveatigafien Com mission.
Gov. Winans has appointed a COM
mission. consisting Of ex-Mayor Dono-
van, Judge q. A. Smith and Deputy
Secretary of State Rowley, all of this
city. to thoroughly investigate the af'
fairs OF the department and to report
their findings to him. Until this report
is made no further action will be taken.
As far as can be ascertained the
value of the books given away was
about $1,000. Not to exceed Sl0O is
known to have been taken. but it is
predicted that \ thorough examination
of the files of his office will materially
swell this amount
The charges are the result of little
matters which have been coming to the
surface from time to time for several
months past and which have been the
cause of numerous conferences be-
tween Gov. Winans, his fellow state Of
ficials and leading democrats OF this
city. The situation finally became so
grave that heroic action could not
longer be deferred
Gov. Wtuans Explalna
Deputy Secretary Rowley will re.
main in charge of the Office until further
notice. A dispatch from Detroit. where
Gov. Winans is in attendance upon the
waterways convention, says the latter
has no sympathy for Soper. The irreg-
ularities began some time ago. he
understood. and he spoke as follows on
the affair:
"1'hc first intimatiou had Of these irregu-
iatGrc. Several OF the members came TO me
with complaints that they could not get
their legislative manuals from the secre-
tary. After that the clerk OF the board
OF auditors came TO me regarding bills
OF furniture and other items which
werc bought by the secretary ut high prices.
and upon which commission was supposed
tohave been received. One of these items was
a bill OF $50 for rugs apparently partly worn,
which he bought and distributed among the
orhces. Tho clerk called on me several
times. not for the purpose OF making
complaint against the secretary. but to COM
municate some inkiing OF the state Of affairs In
his Office. The fac; is. Soper had 1t pretty
much his own way on the board Of auditors,
secretary OF state and the commissioner
OF the land once Braastad. being
in the upper peninsula. was not
there. and the commissioner OF the land Office.
beng advanced in years, offered no opposition
TO Soper When these bills were brought
forward for audit Soper always met their pre-
ssntatscn with the information that they
were all right. he had bought the goods. knew
what they COST and so in this way they went
through
"Ycs. we have known that these irrcgu,ari.
ties had bcea going on for long time but
there had been nothing definite l heard.
among other things. that Soper forbade his
secretary opening DIS ictler& anu IL was sup
posed that this meant that he was
taking the small sums OF money In
closed in payment OF orders for Howell's
statutes and ths public acts. Some weeks
ago I called upon him and told him would
like to SEQ him in my room ss soon as he could
make Il convenient for . long talk upon the
subject OF affairs in his department. but he
never called"
How much win the state lose through his ir.
rcEularitiesf"
Il suppose It may be 40; scarcely believe
II will be above sioo. l am satisfied the state
will not be = Lesser In suT great amount"
'Win Soper be prosecutedr
THAT viii depend upon the resuis OF the eft
frens' committee Of Investigation II they can
End The testimony upon which TO base prose.
eution. OF course Il will proceed"
Rega riding the reason why the
charges were preferred by the mayor
of Lansing. the governor said that in
stead Of naming them himself he pre-
ferred 10 have the charges formulated
by some reputable person not con-
nected with the adninistration Sopcr.
he said, resigned in the face 81 investi-
cation.
COL. HATHAWAY DEAD.