The Florence tribune., 1898-01-22
SATURDAY, JANUARY P, 1898
FACTS FROM THE RECORDS.
A Letter From Chairman Barnes of the
 Sanitary Board.

Sanitary Board.
 From the Range News.l HORACE E. DUNLAP. Esq,
 DEAR SIR: Replying to yonr query as to the statements contained in a recent article of yours regarding the late secretary of the Live Stock Board under the heading "A Gigantic Task, " and the reply thereto in the stockman, I can only say this: The Territorial Brand Book shows that certificate No. 446 was made and signed by Chas. w.. Pugh, secretary. The next number 447ls signed by II, q Brown, secre- tsry pro tenn. As Mir Brown only came into this office uneer the present administration, Mir Pugh certainly did not have anything to do with the certificate after that number, so there fore when you state that only 446 brands had actually been disposed of by Mir. Pugh, you told the exact truth, as anyone can see by an examination of the books of the office.
 He claim that over two-thirds of the work was done by himself and that, had he not been sick, he could have got the work up to date in forty days is too ridiculous to need an answer, but for the sake of the truth I give you an extract from the stenographer notes when Mir. Pugh appeared before the board. After question by MT. Stratton as to work, etc.
 Mir. Pugh-Well, I have been doing the best could. can prove by the persons in my employ that I have been working 141a hours six days in the week and 101S hours on Sunday from a month before the new law was passed up to the present time, and think it will take me the balance of the year to complete the work.
 Mr. Stratton-very we'll, then, Mir. Pugh, suppose yod have the greater part of the work referred to done.
 Mir. Pugh-No sir, there is very small per cent of it yet accomplished.
 MT. Strattsn-I think the brand book should be ready to publish by the first day of October.
 Mir. Pugh-That would be an utter impossibility.
 Mir. Stratton-I am in favor of put ting number of clerks on this work and rushing this business to compile tion. am not in favor of being more than a month in getting out this brand book.
 Mir. Pugh-It is utterly impossible to get it out in less than year.
 Mir. Pugh's ''two-thirds" to-day and his livery small per cent of it done" when confronted with the conditions of his office, don't exactly coincide, do they'll
 As to the refunding of fees, when MT. Pugh says he has paid all demands that have been made on him, he deliber- ately says what is absolutely false and he knows it, and there are fully five hundred cattle men scattered over the territory who know it. too, because he has their money and they can't get it.
 regret exceedingly to have to make these statements, as do not wish to put the Board or myself in position where Mir. Pugh can claim we are at tempting to kicklhim when he is down, but so long as he continues to attempt to throw the delay and confusion of papers and records upon our shoulders and make it appear as if, had he been left in charge, everything would have been lovely and no complaints, then I will surely see to it that his argu- ments and statements are met by the cold official facts.
 I have not tried to give my own views on this matter but simply the official records, which are public prop erty and can be looked over by any one who cares to call in and examine them. Yours truly.
 WILL c. BARNES,
 i1ho;rpcar r, R Gapitar., Raard