The times., 1897-03-13
The Underhanded Methods En-
plOyed by His Enemies.
ALLEGED LEGISLATIVE REPORT
No Witnesses Testified to His Dis
credit Hearsay Affidavits, the
PRINCIPAL One Being Made by an
nvict-DespicabIe Tactics of
Small Coterie of Politicians.

splcablc Methods
We print elsewhere in this number of
the Republican what purports to be the
report OF the legislative committee ap-
pointed To investigate the charges against
Col. McCord. This report it should be
remembered, is not a part OF the record
OF the legislature. That body met a few
days ago in secret session, with the ayowed
purposes OF considering tne findings of
the committee. Reporters were not per-
m;ttei To remain within earshot OF the
chamber in which the session was held.
When the meeting came TO an end the
information was supplied in a round
about way that the Legislature had lis
tened to the reading OF the evidence and
OF the report, and had then adjourned
without taking any action bearing on the
question 1T issue. Within thirty minutes
after thr close of this star chamber session
an alleged copy OF the report, addressed
TO the President, was sent by Wire 10
Washington. The friends OF Col. Nc
Cord were not permitted TO see copy OF
this document. The colonel was assured
by members of the committee that the
findings OF the committee were not un-
favorable TO him. The action of the
legislature in adjourning the secret session
without giving the so-called report Off
ciai recognition, gave color 10 the declara-
tions of individual members of the COM
mittee.
The alleged report was printed for the
first time i'll the Phoenix Herald last even
ing. The Heraldis an avowed enemy of Col.
McCord Except that the names of the
members OF the investigation committee
are attached 10 il there is no proof that il
is genuine. The Legislature has not au-
thoriZad its publication. II is not on file.
IL is supposed To be in the posse ssion of Il
personal enemy of Col. McCord. The mem
bers OF the committee have not made any
public utterance TO the effect that they
have signed such report. The publication
by the Herald and the midnight dispatch
sent TO the President are simply features
of the plot to ruin the chances of Col Nc
Cord receiving the appointment Of gov
error.
I'VE submit that more viliainOus at
tempt to befoul the character Of public
man was never before revealed. Where
is the evidence on which this alleged report
is based? Why did Rot the Herald, which
is in the secrets of the conspirators, print
it? The inference which all fair-minded
the foes OF Col. McCord is that the evidence
does not warrant the alleged findings of
the committee. Had it been OF the charac-
ter which alone should give rise to such
report there can be no doubt that it would
have been printed simultaneously with that
report We are assured by Col McCord that
the evidence taken at the meeting of the
committee, TO which he was admitted,
II 4 ,,.1Fa
I'VE print this morning what the
Colonel has to say on the subject, 1t
is a matter Of record that the statements
made in the allie ged reports relative
to the employment of convict labor are
untrue. Irwin was pardoned just be-
fore the expiration of his term in order
to save his citizenship The present
governor has pardoned convicts for this
very reason. Irwin was not employed
until long after be became free man,
and then only because he was an cleo
trical expert. Col McCord directs at
tention TO other flaws in the alleged in
dictment. What he says should be given
the attention it deserves He has been
foully attacked, in our opinion, and the
tactics OF his enemies cannot be too
severely condemned. The fact should
not be lost sight OF that the investigation
committee completed its work two weeks
ago, and that the matter was suffered to
rest until the President was ready to take
up the matter OF the appointment When
the President comes to read the evidence
he Will have clearer understanding Of
the contemplate methods to which the
opponents Of Col. McCord have resorted
"Col. McCord last evening read for the
first time the alleged report of the lcgis-
lative committee bearing on the charges
made against him as a member Of the board
OF control. To reporter OF the Republican
he made the following statement:
The report says first that the COM
mittee examined many witnesses and afn-
davits produced. So far as known, no
witness testified to my discredit. The
affidavits were mostly hearsay, the prin-
cipal one being made by al ex-convict; the
other is by Holt Gates. He swears the
damaging news was told to him by a man
who was himself informed by a third man
named Camp, who is now dead.
- The Attorney General conceded that
neither Of these affidavits was admissible
as evidence, and stipulated that they should
not go Into the records 1t is true, l was
appointed purchasing agent, because the
duties Of the governor and auditor required
much Of their time in their offices, but as
amatter of fact, i never purchased a dollars
worth Of anything without the order and
sanction Of the board, as their records dis
close.
{" The board purchased two plants for
electrical lights and water, but they
were purchased only after bids had been
received from several dealers and then
at lower price than any bid received.
The plants were not inferior, but are as
good as can be purchased for the money
they cost.
There were no violations of the law
by not advertising because the law only
requires advertisement for supplies, but
as matter OF fact no important purchases
were made without proper advertisement.
'John p Irwin, the prison convict re-
ferred to, was sentenced for one year
for over-checking his bank account, IN the
sum of $50 and was pardoned just before
his term expired in order to restore him to
citizenship He was not employed by the
Territory until several weeks after his
pardon and 1 never heard anything to the
effect that he was to be employed u1til
some time after his pardon. He had good
letters of recommendation from dealers
in electrical machinery, and was in fact an
expert electrician. The Territory paid
him only $50 per month whileinits employ.
There were no raises in any contract,
and no rake off, by anybody that I
know anything about, AS to the protesS.
mentioned by the then Territorial treas
urer against the employment Of Irwin,
never heardofit, and my recollection is that