Arizona silver belt., 1893-06-24
COUScIL BILL No Iss FOR THE REMEF
 or CELIA COUNTY.

as enrolling and expressing clerk of the Council of the 17th Legislature. It was also stated that the Arizona Citi- zen had published similar statement reiterating these charges.
 Being unable to find either of the newspapers in question, went to Tue son and was given a copy of the Citi- zen by MT. Herbert Brown, who cour- teously stated that he would cheerfully publish any explanation I choose to indite in the way of clearing myself of these grave charges and fixing the re- sponsibility Where it justly belongs. l took with me to Tucson and showed to Mir Brown, an engrossed copy of the bill in question, procured from Secretary Morford; also the record book kept by Mir. H. c. Boone, chief clerk, containing a full list and com plete history of every Council bill in- troduced in the Council of the 17th Legislature, together with the two re- ceipts hereinafter mentioned.
 On page PA of said book, appears the record giving full history of the bill in question, corresponding pre- cisely with the endorsements on the bill itself, having the additional nota- tion after the words, Returned from House, passed and referred to commit tee on enrolled and engrossed bills for enrolment 4--12 1882 Returned A. 12 'g3," the latter endorsement not ap- bearing on the engrossed copy which ! retained and deposited with the Ter ritorial Secretary, (this in answer to the question asked by the SILVER BELT in its issue of May 27th as to how the bill reao d the Secretary's office) taking his receipt therefor, and deliy- ering the enrolled copy to Hon, Chas. M. shannon, al the same time taking back my receipt given MT. shannon when I received said bill from him for enrolment Both receipts l herewith enclose.
 Finding that the Citizen had pub lished the article, taken from the SIL- YER BELT, decided to send to you this communication for publication.
 As complete refutation of the charge that the bin died on nay hands, the original Journals of the l7th Leg islature of Arizona, and the printed copy of the same on page PIP, read as follows;
 onoFNIS, Ariz., April i1, 1898.
 MR. PRESIDENT Your Committee on Enrolled and Engrossed Bills, beg leave to report that they have exam ined c, Bs, Nos. ss and aS and find them correctly engrossed, also C Bs, Nos. 02, 56, 125, 122, (the one in ques tionl v, s5 and IL, and C. B. No. 80, relating to fees and salaries, and find the same correctly enrolled and now in the hands of the Governor for his consideration.
 c. M. SHANNON, Chairman.
 I am fully. able to comprehend the just indignation of the people Of Gila county at the failure to become law, of a bill duly passed by both Houses, the provisions of which were of such vital importance to Gila county; but it seems to me that the SEWER BRIT is over zealous and did not observe due diligence in it's investigations and ef- forts to fix the responsibility where it properly belongs. The statement that have filled the positions of Enrolling Clerk and Engrossing Clerk for siA consecutive terms of the Legislature, is an error; never filled that position before. I was the Journal Clerk of the l2th and 18th and Committee Clerk of the 18th Legislature. Refer ence to the Journals will verify this statement.
 Had these whe investigated this mat ter, examined the original journals, always filed with the Secretary of the Territory they would have discovered that Mir. shannon had reported this bill correctly enrolled ard in tK6 hands of the Governor for his consid- eration." .
 All ask is-thai you give this matter the same publicity you did the article making such grave charges refecting on my official action, in relation toi the bill in question, and assure you thatit is riiy belief you acted only in good faith, believing of course, in the correctness of your statement with no intention to do any injustice to myself or anybody else in the premises.
 MM c. FOSTER.