The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1897-03-12
COSTLY POLITICS.
Money Campaigns in Benton
County End Dlsastrously.

County End Dlsastrously. 1
Seven thousand, five hundred
dollars of Dave Osburn's shortage
as sheriff have been returned to
Benton county. The balance,
whatever it may be determined to
be, has been secured. In the set
Ting of this matter some inter
esting facts have developed.
The public first learned of Mr..
Osburn's shortage through the
GAZETTE last fall. Mr.. Joseph
Wilson, employed by the county
court to examine the county Off
GERS accounts, found that the
sheriff was deficient over $4,000.
Mr.. Osburn denied that any such
shortage existed and had Joe Rip
ley go over the books for him.
Mr.. Ripley's findings have never
been made public. However,
when Osburn returned from Mon.
tana, there was an effort made to
compromise the matter. This pa
per urged the county court to
make no compromise, on the
ground that it would establish a
dangerous precedent. The court
took this view of the matter and,
as result will recover the full
amount of the principal due from
Osburn. The county is out the
interest.
Of the $500 returned last
week. Mr.. Osburn furnished $2,-
OS9 in county warrants and SAIL
in cash. The principal amount,
$4,000 was raised by his bonds
men. all of his sureties during his
two terms of Office, with the
exception OF E. Skipton, borrow
ing the money on their notes. The
natural query arises, "What did
Osburn do with the money!"
Before any attempt is made to
answer this question, it is neces-
sary to state that there was an ap-
parent shortage in Mr.. Osburn's
accounts last July, when he turn
ed his office over to the present in
cumbent. Seven thousand dollars
was borrowed in Lane county and
the affair was Strengthened up.
This shortage was doubtless lor
the last year of Mr.. Osburn's
second term. Mr.. Osburn's legal
salary and fees for his four years
OF Office aggregated not far from
$4,000. This, with the $4,000
borrowed to replace his shortage,
or $24,OO0 represents the money
he has used in the four years.
While Sheriff, Mr.. Osburn did
not live extravagantly, he did not
drink excessively. nor did he gam
BILE, yet all he has to show for
$24, 900 is a morteased hop yard
and very undesirable publicity.
His hop yard, with two bad sea-
sons, probably cost him $1,000 of
this money. His family expenses
for four years were certainly not
over $4,000, and uncoiectable
loans to friends might beS figured
at $4,000. This leaves $4,000
unaccounted for.
While no one excuses Mr.. Os-
burns loose and peculiar methods,
it is not believed that he deliber-
alely intended 10 defraud the
county or his bondsmen, and it it
Is not believed that he has secreted
anything. Campaign debts and
campaign expenses are thought to
be responsible for the principal
part of Osburn's expenditures. It
was we'll known that his cam
paigns were expensive, but of
course, the amount could only be
guessed and no one thought that
he was extravagant with his funds,
as latter developments indicate.
While the county is fortunate
in getting back the amount due it
without litigation, the loss in ill.,.
terest is no small matter. Had
the money refunded last July been
turned over TO the treasurer at the
proper time. the county could
have called in that amount of
county warrants, which draw 8
per cent interest. The $500 re-
turned last week has been with,
held from the county for three
years, making loss to the county
in interest Of about $4,000.
The county court is not without
blame, for it has trusted too i'm
plicitly in the county officers.
The court has always had the
right to examine the various books
and in 1891, the legislature passed
law, one section of which reads:
1.-The county courts of the several
counties of this state, while sit
ting for county business at the
regular terms in January and
July of each year, shall carefully
examine all DO SKIS and papers re.
lating TO the financial affairs OF
the county offices of county clerk,
clerk of the county court, recorder
of conveyances, treasurer and
sheriff of the several counties"
Had the court been as diligent
in former years in looking after
the various officials as it. is at
present, much unpleasantness and
loss might have been avoided.