The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1901-04-26
MADE POOR DEFENSE
GF00uko's Article in Gazette Failed to
Touch the Points Regarding Short
age in April.
Did Not Explain the Necessity for Max
ius Peculiar Contracts to Protect
His BendSmen from Loss.
giS Statement is Simply Abuse Of Several
Parties to Cover up the Promiaent
Point at Issue.
HOW GRoENKE EXPLAINED.
His Article of vituperation Did Not
Touch in Any Manner the
Points in Controversy.

Points Ill controversy.
After careful reading of the vitup-
arative article in the Mitchell Gazette,
which opened it's columns to A. r.
Groenke to make reply to the bare
statement of facts given by The RE
PUBLICAN Two weeks ago in reterence
to his shortage as register OF deeds, we |
fail TO find one syllable of denial from
the pen of Groanke in reference to the
matter published. We had expected an
explanation of the circumstances, or a
denial, il the facts stated were not true.
BY refusing to recognize the points at
issue Groenke simply admits their
truth.
Rv his attack on the editor OF THE
REPUBLICAN and three other citizens,
who we're in nowise connected with the
matter, Groenke attempts to raise a
cloud of dust 10 more surely obscure the
point in controversy, but that will not
do. If what THE REPUBLICAN stated
was false why d i'd he not say SO. we
had no desire whatever to place him in
false light before the people of the
action it was his duty to so state. The
matter of his shortage was not touched
upon as soon as it might have been, but
we desired to give Groenka chance SO
return and make his settlement before
apprising the public of the facts in the
case, which we we perfectly justified in
doing. Such statement as given ny
Groenke, in which he seeks TO revenge
himself for the matter of his shortage
being made public, does not clear the
odium which he attached to his own
name by failing to be present st the
meeting of the county commissioners
and turning over the money that be-
longed to the county. There are no
circumstances which hes can offer for
his absence at the time of settlement
with the county commissioners, 1t was
his duty to be there and if not there
personally. to see that the county IS
/ money was on hand ready to be turned
over to the proper officer. Why was he
I not there with the money?
The commissioners met Tuesday,
April 2. Al that time Groenke should
have had his report ready and the
money to turn over 10 the county
-Four days previous TO that he went tt
Sioux Falls, knowing that the settle
ment was due. The commissioners
gave him three DAYS altar April in
which to return and com plets the sat
tlement. On "Wednesday he telegraphee
that he would return that dey and make
the settlement. He Gid not come anl
the commissioners adjourned again
The board then had right to call OF
the bondsmen for the amount due th'
county, which was S347.SO. The bonds
men responded at once by putting shei
checks in the bank subject to the orde
OF the commissioners. They asked
however, that no action be take
against Groenke until he returned t
the city, as it was their desire TO effec
an arrangement with him 80 that b
cound reimburse them out of his salary
and in Difference to their request tn
commissioners decided to let the matte
rest until the next Monday. To say tb
least Groenke's action was queer unde
the circumstances, and the commission
ers showed q leniency in his directlo
/ that was commendable, when they coul
have caused great deal of trouble
laying the foundation for his remov
from office. Twice before, and we ha'
it on the very best of authority, at ii
October and January meetings OF tt
board. Groenke was put to the san
strait as on this occasion to make b
settlement with the commissioners
reference to the fees.
When Groenke returned to the lit
town of Fulton, few miles east
Mitchell on Thursday, April 4, and !
mained there all night, why did
communicate with gentleman in Il
city by wire to ascertain if things we
all right for him to return? # he b
the money in his possession at shat IT,
to settle with the commissioners '
there any necessity for him to resort
such questionable actions, which wo1