The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-04-21
THEY ARE NOT PLEASED
People Of Fort BsntOn Dissatisfied With
ths Grand Jury's Action
COMMENT OF A NEWSPAPER
A Gentleman OF the Fort Gives His
Views on the Manipulation OF
Affairs In Very Plain
Language. -8.-.

GREAT FALLS, April 2o.-A citizen of
Fort Benton, who is in the city to-day,
said to q representative of the STANDARD /:
"The peculiar manifestations of affairs
relating to the late scandalous conduct in
the county treasurer's Office Of Choteau
county are slowly but surely coming to
light. II now appears that just as soon as
the late lamented grand jury adjourned a
warrantee deed and bill of sale were filed
Tor record, covering everything, both real
and personal, in the possession of County
Treasurer John G. aud Anna Duff. The
deed and bill of sale are to Charles Z.
Duer, cashier Of the Stockmen's National
bank. In the usual normal condition of
every day life this transaction would look
somewhat like fake. The total consid-
GRAFTON amounts to the snug sum OF So
$685.. To people who understand the
situation, further comment at this time is
unnecessary"
In connection with Choteau county mat
tiers, the Fort Benton River Press editor
tally says:
The report of the grand jury omitted to meu-
ton few matters connected with public affairs
which we believe are OF interest to the people
OF Choteau county, and Of which thsy SHOULD be
informed.
A warrant issued to A. G.. station was alb
stracted from the warrant book without his
permission and against his will II was subse-
quently presented for payment by a Helena
bank, which explained that the warrant had
been purchased from Charles z. Miller. ex-
county clerk. IL would seem that an incident
OF this nature deserves some Official notice.
For period OF about eight months hole
large enough 10 admit a man existed In the wall
OF the county treasurers vault, and that official
has reason to believe that money or It's equiva-
lent disappeared through the aperture. The
opening was closed up before the grand Jury
met As the county treasurer is supposed to be
provided with safe place OF custody for the
public funds, the existence OF a large hole In
the wall OF his vault was defect In the manage
ment OF public affairs which might have led to
serious consequences. f'r r.4Ee
The incumbent OF the county clerks Office
during the early part of 1894 was allowed a dep
uty, and took advantage of such allowance by
absenting himself from his Office the greater
part OF the time. This course plainly showed
that deputy was unnecessary at that period
After prolonged absence OF some weeks the
county clerk was induced to send In his resIgna-
ton, and at the regular September session Of
the commissioners his deputy was allowed 20
make an affidavit for his superior oficer stat I
ing that the latter had performed his oficial du-
ties for the preceding month and was entitled !
TO pay therefor. The irregular affidavit was ae- j
cepted and a warrant issued, the money so re-
allied being used to help cover up deficit In
county clerk. A small shortage that existed
was made good by his bondsmen. fll. -
Overcharges amounting TO some sos were 4
made In the public printing bill presented In
March and we're allowed by the commissioners. /
We understand that the county attorney has
this matter in hand, and will endeavor to re-
cover the amount overpaid. iutg
In various parts OF Choteau county there are
cesspools OF immortality whose stencil reaches
TO heaven. Most OF our adult citizens are aware
at. .fe
natey. know it; but the authorities seem un-
able to suppress the evil or officially condemn
IL. The accumulation OF filth may be expected
TO increase, and decency must hold It's nose or
move into purer atmo sphere.
We have it upon unimpeachable authority
that two members OF the board of county COM 1
missioners pledged themselves to declare a va
cancy In the treasurer's office, and to appoint
the third member OF their body to that position i
The compact was not KEEP In all OF its parts.
but the fact OF such an agreement having been |
made reflects upon the methods used In the |
conduct or county affairs.
The annual financial statement OF Choteau |
county shows that under one OF the highest tax |
leves ever recorded the county indeb tedness |
increased some si6.153 during the past year |
This fact conveys more information than any |
grand jury report. During the year 1894 the |
county treasurer received the sum OF SOL ITO, O
which amount about SIS. 800 was represented by |
collections for state school and municipal pur.
poses. With an available balance OF some sea- |
500 with which to pay its way he county of |
Choteau Increased its Indebtedness about IiH |
per cent. during the past year. The interest |
charges upon the county debt now outstanding |
are at the rate OF about si1 600 per annum, an |
amount which will cut quite figure In calcuiat. I
ing future running expenses.
The above matters will, we believe. prove OF I
interest TO the people Of Choteau county. to l
who m they are respectfully submitted.
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