The herald., 1895-10-21

asserted that the sui Plus was properly the
funds of the Sixth district agricultural
association and should not have been
divided among individual directors.
Furthermore it is clai imed that the
books of the association will show the
disposition made of the surplus that was
netted by the Christmas meeting and
that the parties whom it is alleged re-
ceived the moneys as SGT forth in the
charges Governor Budd has, did receive
the money.
These books referred tc, are those that
were kept by ex-Secretary Lewis Tbo orne.
They were taken out of his hands last
spring when he was removed as secretary.
But it is not probable that they have
since been either altered OF changed:
. MR.. THORNE WILL N OF TALK.
x-Secretary Thorne was seen yester-
day at his residence, 7l0 West Twenty
eighth street. Since mis- return from the
east Mr.. Thorne has been an invalid.
Conc srning the charges made against the
directors Mr.. Thorne absolutely declined
to talk for publication. He said that the
directors had used him in a very shabby
manner. He thought that if full in
vsstigation of their acts was MADE there
would be Irregularities disclosed which
would, he thought, disqualiiy some OF
the directors from further acGng IN their
official capacity.
''Is it not true, Mr.. Thorne," asked The
Herald represent lative, that you pre-
ferred the charges against the direct0rs?
II decline to talk for the newspapers
just now" was the reply.
THE DIRECTORS ARE ANGRY.
The directors, whom it is stated that
the governor will investigate when he
comes to Los Angeles, are very angry.
They refuse to talk about the matter at
all.
Director r. R. Brown was very busy at
Agricultural Park yesterday when be was
called upon and the answers that he
made to the questions that were asked
him were characterized by both brovity
and anger.
MR.. BROWN Is HOT.
az know nothing about any charges
snid Director Brown, with unnecessary
vehemence. ~ have not seen a copy of
them. When l 90, then l will be able to
talk
1t was intimate to Mr.. Brown that the
charges were that funds had been misap
propriated that belonged to the associa-
tIon and that the six directors had not
kept within the law.
MIR. Brown was told seriatim in what
particular it was understood moneys of
the association had passed through i'm
proper channels, but upon being asked
as to whether or not each sp pecltca ton OF
the general charges as they are reported
TO be we're true or not he made no de-
nial. He simply asked what the spurce
of the reporters information was. Then
he made the statement that at the proper
time full revelations would be made.
BARRETT SMILES AT THE MATTER.
General A. ". Barrett was seen just
after he had returned from drive with
Senator Thomas Film. of San Bento.
When asked about the charges he said:
.Oh, there is nothing in them-that is
not much. l know little concerning
them. and 1t Is best not to discuss them
ct this juncture.
Governor Budd will be down in a day
or so. l have not received notice as to
the exact time. Then we Will know more
about them
Director D. G. Stephens when asked
about the charge, put OH the appearance
of a sphinx and surely he carried out
the part, for he would give up no infor-
nation.
Director f. T. Wright was another ST.
lent one, but it was apparent that both
he and Stephens knew the charges were
coming before they were actually filed.
s SOME HISTORY.
The affairs OF the Sixth District Agri-
cultural association. as regards the man
agement, have been at skies and sevens
for some time past. Harmony has not
prevailed among the directors for nearly
year.
The ASSOCIATION vas organize fifteen
years ago. 1t was capitalized at $l3 900,
divided In 130 shares of S100 each. These
shares were purchased by q large number
of stockholders, merely as public bene-
factors, tor under the state law then in
force the land purchased by tine corpora
tion known now as Agricultural Park,
was taken out of their hands and control
and placed under the direction of eight
directors appointed by the governor.
Originally the ninety four acres COM
prising the park were of no great value.
but now they are worth $780, 900 and
there are $25, 900 worth of improvements
upon it.
THE SCHEME.
A bout two months before the leglsla-
ture met the scheme was conceived of
having law passed that would take the
management, direction and custody of
the park out of the hands of the directors
and vest it, as we'll as title, solely in the
stockh olders. The value of the stock
then was about 500 to 500 share, de-
pending largely on the financial con-
dition of the holder.
But the schsmers went quietly to work
and bought up the stock as far as they
could. Every share that could be OBJ
ASSEMBLY BILL 449.
The Legislature met, and one day
quiet, innocent little bill, known as as
embly bill No. 449. was introduced. 1t
worked its way through committees with
the aid Of an expert wire puller and
lobbyist as wet nurse, and finally passed.
1t went through the senate with flying
colors, was signed by the governor and
became law before anybody down here
knew anything about it, save those on
the inside.
OF course as soon as this law went into
effect, what was before worth only NOM
Inal sum then had d value of nearly $780,
600. to wit the 130 shares of the stock of
the association. But the stockholders
VINO had held their shares for years and
had been persuaded suddenly to dispose
OF them rose up as one man and entered
a howl that was heard from here to the
tules of Sacramento. They claimed that
they had hsen hilked. robbed, duped and
"conned" out of their stock hy conspira-
tors. The air was blue for awhile.
THE SECRETARY BOUNCED
One day President Newton of the asso-
citation stepped into Secretary Louis
Thorne's office and asked him for his
bouks. Mr.. Thorne declined to yield
them up. He said that he was their
proper and legal custodian and he did
not propose to give them to the presi-
dent. Thereupon President Newton called
meeting of the directors. That me citing
Was attended by R. R. brown w ri