The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1901-10-17
HAS TRUSTY PILOTS.
Ex-Governor Stephens Replies
to Republican SANDERS.
BOOKS OPEN TO INSPECTION.
Public to Have Square Accounting
From its Servants.

From its Servants.
Jefferson City, Mo, Oct. 5.-Ex
Governor Lon V. Stephens, who serV-
ed the state for seven years as treas
urer and four years as governor, ana
who is thoroughly familiar with its
finances, gives The Times the follow
ing statement, which will be found OF
interest at this time:
The republican newspapers OF Mis-
souri, are engaged in the nefarious
work OF deceiving their readers as to
the conduct of democratic state Of
Rcials since 1871, and as to the con
dition OF the state finances, past and
present. They charge our auditors
and treasurers with misrepresenta-
ton, prevaricatiOn, irregularities,
crookedness and crime. In their des-
peration they claim that from the
printed reports of the auditors there
is a discrepancy OF over million
dollars. A grave Indictment indeed,
SO mach so that Auditor Allen has
thought it advisable to prepare re-
port OF the operations OF the treas
nry from 1871 to 1901, in full, and
as soon as unpreiudiced experts can
verify his figures it will be given to
the public.
1.-The state of Missouri has never
lost dollar by a democratic state
officer. Not a dollar has been mis-
applied Every cent which was on
hand January /, 1871, and every
cent received into the treasury up to
January l, 1901, will be accounted
for to the satisfaction ofevery honest
citizen.
WIPED OUT REPUBLICAN DEBTS.
when Auditor Allen makes his re-
ported it will reflect credit upon ev-
cry officer, dead and living, who has
served during this period. When the
democrats became intrusted with the
offices of the state government, a
heavy bonded indebtedness was an
heritage from republican mis-
rule This has been practically wip-
ed out while the tax rate has been
reduced.
"a great university has been erect
ed and is literally supported and
four normal schoels-three for the
whites and for the Enthusiastically to
democracy's interest in the cause OF
education. A reform school for way
ward boys and for unfortunate girls
are in successful operation. Three
insane asylums and a new one under
way of construction are located in
different sections of the state. 4 state
fair, fruit experimental station and
colony for the feeble-minded and
eIiieptics have been esta blished, and
We have n large balance standing to
our credit and the state compare
lively speaking, while the fifth in
population and Importance, is yet in
its infancy.
Il know nothing of the experts be-
yond what | have read and know not
when they will be through with their
work, but with my personal knewl-
edge of the finances of Missouri and
the character of the men who have
been entrusted with their manage
ment | stand ready to wager all
have or may ever expect to have that
their reports will show that there are
no discrepancies; that there has been
no wrong. and that all books, ac-
counts and funds are in excellent
condition.
LIBEL ON THE STATE.
The republican newspapers en-
gagged i'll the work of attempting to
destroy our states financial stand
!ag abroad and in libeling honest
men who have served their state and
in discrediting their own chosen rep
resentatives will find that they have
been on cold trail, and that from
even u political standpoint they have
Numbered.
Since 1871 our books and finances
have been examined by at least thir-
" leading republicans. 1t is strange
indeed ii there was anything wrong:
if there were discrepancies, as charg-
ed, They were unable TO fnd them.
Surely they could not all have been
bought or bulldozed Their reports,
printed and on file, contain no charges
Of wrong doing, but are compliment
airy in a high degree to all the audit
ors and treasurers directly response
BILE for our finances and to the gov
ernOrs who have co operated with
them and whose duty it is to see and
know everything is in proper condi-
ton.