The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1898-02-19
State Officials 1t War.

Secretary of State Lewis and State
Auditor Anderson have been en-
gagged in m official controtsrsy for
some time which has found ito way
into the courts for settlement.
The Auditor recently made m OH
cial demand on Secretary Lewis for
certain sum of money which he
alleges - due the State for tram
scribing the laws and journals of
the last Legislature.
The facts briefly stated are that the
Legislature appropriated $1,000 for
compiling, transcribing and print
ing the session laws and journals.
The Sentinel Printing Co. took the
contract for that amount and sub
let the contract for compiling and
transcribing to Secretary Lewis, for
the amount over which this dispute
has arisen. Mr.. Anderson claims a
state officer is not allowed to derive
profit from such . contract, while
Mr.. Lewis claims the transaction
was perfectly legitimate.
The controversy between tho two
state officials has gained considers
BILE notoriety through the columns
[of the state press. Several of them
being politically opposed to Score.
tary Lewis have perverted the facts
Of the case SO IS to cast reflection
upon that gentleman's official in
tegrity.
The statutes of Idaho do not in
clude such work among the official
duties of the Secretary of State.
Hence the work of transcribing the
laws and journals of the legislature
was done by Mr.. Lewis in an indi-
vidual capacity, and he certainly
had the same right to do it as any
private citizen had. Mr.. Lewis
claims that the work was done out
of Office hours, and in consequences
was six months doing it; further
more that not one particle Of it was
done at the expense of the State.
All fair-minded people will agree
that the transaction between Secre-
tary Lewis and the Sentinel Print
ing Co. lie no business whatever Of
the State Auditor. It seems to be
a connivancs on the part of that
official to cast . stigma upon Mr..
Lewis by bringing charges of ways
dark and devious in his official
career.
Secretary Lewis enjoys the die
tinction of having displayed superb
or executive ability in the discharge
of his official duties, and he has
given the state . far more economi-
cal administration than any of bis
predecessors.
Sufficient evidence has been pro-
duced to show that there is abso-
lutely no foundation for the charge
which has been instituted against
Secretary Lewis by Auditor Ander-
son. 1t is whispered in political
circles of the Capital city that the
Auditor was actuated by q spirit of
revenge for being defeated by Mr..
Lewis for the nomination for Secre-
tary of State and that he has fol-
lowed him ever since like an aveng-
ing Nemesis, seeking to injure him
in every possible way.
1t is also intimated that Auditor |
has aspirations to be
again suggested as . nominee for
Secretary of State, and fears Mr..
Lewis as an opponent.
Hence his motive to try and in
ure his reputation on the eve Of
he state campaign.
Mr.. Lewis is regarded 40 an hon.
orable man by those who have
known him ever since he came to |
Idaho. one who would scorn to use
'ub rosa means TO further his iu-
.erests.
During the fifteen years that he
vas engaged in business in Ketchum
Mr.. Lewis erected q wall of integrity
md competency against which mis-
,ilee of the enemy will fall harmless.
His friends in Ketchum do not
,esitate to repudiate any charge
made against his honor.
Wool Men Pruoparnns