Omaha daily bee., 1899-02-23

Auburn Post (repD; The pops are clean.
ing house just now at Lincoln. The auditor
and his deputy are having a little family
quarrel. but don't render decision in tn,
matter too hastily. Remember that Mr. Cor
nell is auditor and that Samuel Lich,y wa,
deputy and that for over two years Mir
Lichty knew all that was going on in tn,
Office and he never said a word about Il
till after he was fired. MIR. Llchty further
says in his letter that he took things In
his own hands contrary to the instructions
of his superior officer and ran them to suit
himself while the auditor was absent dur.
ing the campaign Such actions would moi
be honorable in a republican although II
may be in a populist.
Wood River Interests (rep): great old
row has broken out in the state auditors
office. One Lichty, chief clerk OF the in
suranco department, has been bounced by
Auditor Cornell and the last few days Lichty
has been telling about the rottenness OF the
Office in robbing insurance companies and
other flagrant violations of the law. II one
half the charges made by Lichty prove true,
and the proof seems to be abundant. Cor
nell aud some of his Office force are booked
to walk the plank The legislature and
Governor Poynter have taken the matter UP
uncarthing some hugh steals. The air down
at Lincoln must be tainted, Judging by the
way in which the servants of the people
go astray in that city.
Blair Pilot (rep): Since charges have
been preferred against State Auditor Cor
nell, and of such a grave nature as to de-
mand an investigation by the governor and
by the legislature, it will be in keeping with
the usual course adopted by the Blair Re-
publican to brand Mr. Cornell a criminal in
proportion to the magnitude of the crime
charged. The Pilot, in local affairs will
await the decision Of the investigating com
mittee before saying more than that Cornell
is charged with gross Irregularities in the
conduct of the insurance department of his
office. When the committee appointed to in
vestigate shall have made its report the
Pilot will be pleased to announce the find
ings to its readers with such comment as
the case seems to deserve.
Tecumseh Chieftain Crep.): Very serious
charges were preferred against State
Auditor Cornell the first of this week by
Samuel Lichty, eX-chief clerk of the in
surance department. The charges are so
grave in their nature that Governor POINTER
has, in a special message to the legislature,
asked for a full investigation to the end that
scrutinlzed The charges are open and
specific. Unless the auditor can clear him
self from them he will undoubtedly be i'm
peached and ultimately removed from office.
In conformity with the governors request
both houses of the legislature have ap-
pointed committees of investigation, with
full power to take evidence call for all
papers bearing on the case and administer
oaths The findings are awaited with great
interest. The affair has created considera-
BILE excitement in political circles. Auditor
Cornelrs actions have long been viewed
with suspicion, Notwithstanding his loud
claims of immaculate honesty, and now, if
he is unjustly censured, he will be afforded
an opportunity to silence all criticism.
Schuyler Sun (rep.): The Omaha Bee has
exposed a game of robbery, being carried
on in the insurance department of State
Auditor Cornel's office, which is fully as
bad as the defalcatons of BARLEY and
Moore. The law gives the auditor the right
to appoint a man to examine the books and
records of insurance companies which do
business in this state. For this work the
examiner is allowed So a day, and actual
expenses. One o. w. Palm was appointed
This man deliberately "held up several of
the companies which he examined for fees
lowed. This practice came to the attention
of the auditors deputy, Sam Lichty, who
vigorously protested against the nefarious
practice and for his desire to do right was
discharged by the auditor. Lichty has con-
sequently exposed the unlawful work and
Governor Poynter has called upon the legis-
lature to investigate the matter, which will
be done.
St. Paul Phonograph (pop): The Omaha
Bee brings charges against State Auditor
Cornell which, if true should Immediately
remove that gentleman from office. The ac
cusation is, briefly, that the auditor has al
lowed 'snide" insurance companies to do bus
mess by extorting from them a large fee for
examination and certificate, and further that
he has failed, like his predecessor, to collect
the fees owing by nonresident insurance
The Bee has its information
from Sam Lichty, the insurance deputy
lately discharged by Cornell and for that
reason it should probably be taken with
few grains of allowance. But at any rate
these charges are of such a grave nature
that the auditors affairs should be nvesti-
gated at once, and If found true Mr.. Cor
nell should promptly be removed from Office |
Wo did not put men in the state offices to
follow the beaten pathway of the republican