Arizona republican., 1896-06-14
HE HAS HID THE BOOKS ReprehensibIe Action of
 M. H. McCord. The Board of Control May Not
 Work.
Books of Record and of Finance Are Missing from the
 Office.

VentiOn is MyrOn ii. McCOrd, late mem Der of the board of control of the ter ritory of Arizona. It is understood that, though removed by the governor, i he claims still to occupy the office; if such be the case he is absent from the territory without the permission of the executive, which by law is required in all absences.
 Colonel McCord has filled the posi- tion of secretary of the board Of con- trol, and as such has had charge of the books and papers of the office. He has left the territory without leaving any information as to the place wherein could be obtained such books and pa pers and the locality in which are con- cealed especially the record book of the boards official proceedings and actions and the journal in which is set down the expenditures authorized by the board is unknown. Yesterday the board of control had meeting, or, rather, attempted to have meeting. Governor Franklin called at the board of control rooms for such purpose and there joined Auditor Leitch, the second member of the board. The board of control rooms are in the Creighton building, north of the Fleming building on North First av enue, the balance of the upper floor of the Creighton building being occupied 1 by The Gazette and by the personal apartments of Auditor Leitch. In one corner of the large corner room is the desk of the auditor, in the opposite corner that of M H. tMcCord, who claims membership on the board of control.
 l Colonel MoCord had left the key of his desk with MT. Leitch, but when the desk was opened little or nothing was i found that would be of any service whatever in the meeting, and all re- searches of the governor and other ter ritorial officials interested have failed 1 to unearth the missing records. Adjutant- General Ed Schwartz is also clerk of the board of control He was hunted up yesterday afternoon by Republican reporter. '1 have no idea" said he, where the journal and record book can be found, but it is my supposition that MT. McCord must have locked them up. He was secretary of the board. They were not in his desk when Auditor Leitch looked for
 
 box in the Phoenix National bank, where he sometimes kept valuable papers and contracts belonging to the board. Maybe, but it is only my pre- sumption, he may have placed the missing books there But he has the key, not I. All that was found in the desk when it was opened was some memoranda and the letter book Of the board. I would not wish to be quoted in the matter as I really know no more of it than any outsider
 The news that the ex-member had gone east, leaving the business of the territory blocked for the lack of the official records of the board sessions was quickly spread upon the streets and excited deep indignation. Every official action involving the expendi- ture Of money in this territory centers in the board of control and the disap- pearance of the books is a matter of the most serious import. Were they to be destroyed an almost chaotic condi- tion would ensue and their suppression has the same effect. It is not known how long this condition of affairs may continue, but the impression is that McCord, without regard for the inter- ests of the territory, intends to hold possession of the books in the hope that through such course he may main tain himself for time in office It is not known whether in the code there is law that will cover such action, but if there be one it is believed it should be at once invoked
 In the meantime, or till such time as McCord may see fit to bring the books from their hiding place, the interests of the people will suffer and the work of the board of control will be para lVZpd