The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1901-10-28
MERRICK TALKS
ABOUT HIS CHARGES
Opinion is That Governor
viii Have Trouble Ii the
Charges Are True



where he filed charges against Gov
ernor Jenkins alleging that the latte
was late ested In the profits of th,
contract for the care Of insane per
sons, has made interest in the charge
stronger than ever and speculativ,
gossip is heard everywhere es to tn,
outcome Of the Investigation Of Gov
ernor jenkins conduct Judge Mer
rick declines to discuss the charges
saying that as Secretary Hitchcock re
fused to make them known 10 newspn
per correspondents, he could not him
self afford to report their contents
/. = do wish to say, however contln
ued Judge Merrick. .that am solely
responsible for the filing Of the
charges. am not seeking ciflce nor
assisting any person who may be seek.
ing office What have done Is in be
half OF good government and without
personal animosity toward anyone.
Should circumstances warrant my do
ing it, may make statement at
some time In the future"
What the Charges Are.
The charges relate solely to Gov
ernor jenkins connection with the san
itarium contract A syndicate Of Ok
lahoma Republicans purchased from
DR. John Threadgln the sapitarium
property at Norman and renewed with
Governor Jenkins the contract for the
maintenance Of patients at 5000 a year
each the price that had been paid
under former contracts. ePrscns who
purchased stock were tola that Gov
ernor Jenkins was not financially IN
terested in any way in the contract.
Later, the story became current that
Governor Jenkins had certificates Of
stock to the amount Of $4,000 deposi-
ted with Joseph w. McNeal of the
Guthrie National bank to secure a
loan of several thousand dollars.
which was used in paying for the
stock This fact became known as tne
result of McNeaps candidacy for ter
ritorial treasurer. II is alleged that
McNeal refused to turn over the stock
TO Jenkins unless Jenkina appointed
him treasurer, and In the friction that
ensued the story Of the stock became
public.
A stockholder who had purchased
stock in the belief that Governor
Jenkins was not interested in the con
tract, went to Governor Jenkins and
asked him II the statement that he
owned stock was true. Jenkins repit
ed that the rtatement was untrue. but
admitted that stock was being held
for him by McNeal. with the under.
standing that it should be placed with
friends Of Jenkins as soon as the lat
ter could arrange to pay for It, which
would be in a few weeks This state
ment WIS sufficient to cause several
stockholders to sell their stock, as
they did not believe that Jenkins as
governor had any right whatever to
control stock IN contract which he
had let as public official. McNeal
finally released the stock 10 Jenkins.
and it is alleged, that Jenkins placed
Il with friends c. s. Jobes of wichi.
Ia getting greater part OF IT,
As a Benefit to His Friends.
The fact Is that If Governor Jenkins
did not virtually purchase stock Tor
his own exclusive benefit he acquired
control OF stock that friends might
profit by il. Persons who cling close
to high standard of public opinion
freely declare that no public Official
has the right directly or Indirectly. 10
profit hX public contracts They in.
sist that this attitude OF the public
mind carries with it an the weight "
moral law, and that IFS mfraction viii
nring disaster as surely as the break
ing Of statutory prohibition; that
the necessity or defense Is almost as
deplorable as tho admission II guilt.
and that the safest toruse for public
oricih s 70 slun even the appearance
Of ayu.
The ultimate result OF Judge Mer-
rlcR's charges It approved Ga Wash
ingtoh. would BE % defeat the connr-
nation Of Governor Jenkins. Friends
Of Governor Jenkins Insist mat the
charges already have been disgosed of
without discredit 70 him Popular
discussion Of the matter leals in the
other direction. howeyee and the
prediction Is made that Governor
Jenkins has trouble ahead OF him
when congress meets. The Republican
party 10 Oklahoma today IS hllcd With
more incipicnt dIscord than ever be
fore Including the sToubloue times OF
Governor Barnes administration. and
reg, fdlass of Democratic Knockers