Omaha daily bee., 1899-03-20
Mrss IN THE AUDITORS OFFICE.

'AlANllN NAtHsV. itIhAN hNANN
Pool having also been subjected to the rack
and thumscrews Of the investigating COM
mittee, has been compelled to admit that
he, too, has been drawing double pay from
the state. His confession has been made
and the vouchers are on file. They all do it,
Tecumseh Journal: Auditor Cornell prob
ably did not get any rakeoff palmed off on
him, but at any rate he knew what his ex-
aminers were charging and If they were eX-
pected by the good people of the state to
live on a bread and water diet. they GER
tainly might have gotten it for less money
than they charged.
Central City Democrat: Another week OF
investigation of the auditors Office has
passed and nothing has yet developed to
show that Auditor Cornell has been person.
ally dishonest, though it has been shown
that he is too weak to control his office force
within the paths of morality. l think the
auditor should show that he has not stolen
anything and then give way for a better
man.
Pender Republic (rep.); John f. Cornell,
the populist auditor of public accounts, is
not receiving much consolation from even
his own party. Many of the papers of that
faith over the state numerically score him
for the crooked work and holdup business
which he has been connected with. Yet
Cornell hangs on to the office. He is in it
for what there is in it and means to get it
all out before he gets out.
Holdrege Progress: While the Republican
press of the state is making n great deal Of
thunder out of the Auditor Cornell muss it
is a noteworthy fact few populist papers in
the state are holding up Cornell's hands.
Cornell's own testimony "queers'' the whole
business. While he may not have laid him
self criminally liable, yet he has confessed
a weakness and lack of executive ability that
totally units him for the office which he
holds. His resignation would be a fitting
climax for the close of the investigation.
Howells Journal (dem): A few reform
papers have attempted to defend Cornell and
the other pass grabbers at Lincoln. Every
one of these fellows knew when he accepted
passes from the railroads that he was doing
wrong. More than that, no one of them
could have been elected had It been known
that he would ask for and accept passes.
No one of them can again be elected to office
in Nebraska. This editor is only one among
thousands who will never again support for
public office a man who while holding an
Official position accepts a pass from a rail-
road.
Rushville Recorder (rep.): Some of the
newspapers are finding excuses for State
Auditor Cornell and make him appear honest
in the administration Of his office. so far as
his own actions are concerned. This won't
wash. Anyone with a grain of sense ought
to keep tab on the doings of his subordinates
or II necessary, a check; but Cornell appears
to have actually connived, or at least al
lowed theSn jrraur1o ri+ias 10 49,
public official is weak where he ought to be
strong, after a first term of office, IT is
simply encouraging criminallty to excuse
his lax methods. Either Cornell knew what
his subordinates were doing or he did not.
and whichever way you look at it he is
culpable.
Madison Star (pop): The investigation
with the alleged crooked practices of the
office of the state is sufficiently
convincing for the governor to take steps
and act in the matter, and to demand the
resignation OF Auditor Cornell.
There can be no question but that there will
be an effort made to whitewash the whole
affair by Cornell and his friends and ease
the matter along until the adjournment of
the legislature, and thereby hush the whole
affair up. We must not forget that IL this
course is followed and permitted that the
party or reform which is responsible for the
acts of Mr.. Cornell, will in the end suffer
for the crcokedness and dishonesty that has
been practiced in this office. The evidence
that has already been introduced convinces
the people generally, and upon this the
should be made to walk the plank.
Chadron Journal Gep.): The principal
defence assigned for Auditor Cornell in the
predicament into which he has been plunged
Is that he must be vindicated in order to
carry the state for Bryan in 1900. In other
words, the fusionists who believe in honesty
must swallow the corruption which has been
in the case of Auditor Cornell for
future political success of the party. This
plea will have no weight with the honest
who has been convinced of Cor
nells evil doingS. 1t is so plain that "he
who runs may read" that Cornell has in
the plea that in the face Of the damaging
evidence he should be indicated is an insult
to the honesty of Nebraska fusionists. Mr..
Cornell will have to resign and his successor
will have the privilege of holding the Office
until next fall, when r. l.. Mathews or
other good republican will be elected
to the office. 1t is interesting TO compare
the frantic efforts of some OF the populist
OF the state to cover up and
Mr.. Cornell's maladministration
with the universal condemnation which was
showered upon Joe BARLEY, when his cor
was made public, by the republican
of the state.