The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1900-08-31

pOlnIee luuuCleu iULO Office IMAM lie 10
put out to make room for another.
This keeps the institutions in con-
slant restlessness and turmoil, keeps
them in the hands of inexperienced in
dviduals, with the result that those
for whom these institutions are main
tanned derive little or no benefit. Since
the fusionists acquired control, two
different superintendent have been
appointed at Nebraska City and nu-
merous changes have been made In the
list of teachers. In each instance, or
nearly so. the change has been made
for political reasons.
Under such conditions is 1t any
wonder that the teachers do not feel
fully qualified to give an opinion on
the best methods in teaching the blind,
or that the institution itself should
in it's achievements fall far short of
meeting contemplated statutory re-
quirements?
FARMING OUT PATRONAGE.
The man with a pull" is very much
in evidence at Nebraska City. 1t was
a pull" that placed Frank Marnell
on the pay roll as steward at $500 per
year, along with his wife at $3.50 per
veal Marnell is so fortunate as to
have a brother in the newspaper bust
ness. He publishes a fusion daily at
Nebraska City. This is why he was
deemed fitted for steward. Nor does
the Marnell family stop at that. The
Nebraska City News boasts of too po-
tent a leverage in the affairs of the
fusion party to be placated or pacified
by a stewardship. 1t not only boasts
but it commands, and it therefore re-
ceives more substantial recognition
than is ordinarily accorded fusion pub
LEGATIONS. Filed away in the archives
OF the auditors Office are vouchers
bearing testimony to the frequent ex-
petitions of the publisher of the News
across the plains from Nebraska City
to the treasury at Lincoln. Most of
the money is for job work, work given
the News, it is reported, at it's own
figures and without competition.
Within the last year the News has
managed to gather in about 5000 of
the states money without much exer-
ton and at very little cost to itself.
(See vouchers B31302, B35576, B35899,
B37601, B41404, B4338S and B46205.)
Others besides the News people are
keeping in close and sympathetic touch
with the treasury. 1t is a noticeable
fact that the books contain the firm
name Of Cardwell & Leidigh, though
the same Mr.. Cardwell is the presi-
dent of the Board of Trustees Of the
institution. Though Cardwell &
Leidigh are in the hardware business
the firms name is found as creditor
in the living expense" account of the
institute.
1t is a strange anomaly that, which
places the employe in a position to
order and direct" his employer. 1t
would also be strangely anomalous
were the system prevalent over the
land for an oEicial to be his own
auditor or account examiner. But
here is an example Of it:
This voucher is hereby approved
by the Board of Trustees this 4th
day Of May, 1900, and the Auditor of
Public Accounts is hereby ordered and
directed to draw his warrant for the
sum of S25.35 in full payment and
satisfaction of the same, aud this
claim is found to be correct and ap-
proved in all things.
81. J,-CARDWELL,
president Board of Trustees"
The voucher above referred to was
for the firm, of which Cardwell is a
member, for goods sold to the state.
(See voucher B45431.) This firms
name appears on the books in several
instances, as having sold goods to the
institute. In addition to this it is
currently reported that some of those
contractors who have from time to
time secured contracts for building
and repairing have been for some I'M
accountable reason partial to this firm
in placing their orders for material.
During the last year the amount of
building and repair work has reached
over $4,000, but, az all the vouchers
are made in omnibus form and in the
name of the contractor, there is moth
ing of record to show just who or what
firm came in for the plumber.
LAX BUSINESS METHODS.
The omnibus 8 stem of making out
vouchers has become notorious under
the present administration. That it
opens an avenue to the commission
of fraud few will gainsay. 1t is a
common occurrence to find vouchers
for large amounts made out in the
very indefinite terms of "for labor
and material" without specifying how
much of either. These terms are en-
ployed as frequently in rendering bills
where there is no contract as where
there is. In the last year a barn
costing about $3.50 was built without
advertising for bids. and that the state
paid dearly for the luxury is quite
apparent. A running track and bowl
ing alley was built in the gymnasium
at a cost of 5000, and the voucher
reads: For material, $500; labor,
$500" There is nothing in the vouch-
err to show specifically how much ma
terial Or how much labor the state
received.
AS a rule, the methods employed in
the conduct of the institute, are equal
ly as vulnerable. The ann in
which bills are made out affords an
opportunity for a vast amount of
fraud. 1t is safe to say that there
is scarcely an article in the grocery
line, but what there are several grades
of it. In many instances. especially in
10000 1al LoAkJ1J ~1oI1 &L4~o So ~01