Rocky Ford enterprise., 1902-10-17

BE he governor or be he county commissioner. be
he OF exalted humble station. he political
party another. he should be made amenabe to the
penalties for maladministration the trust imposed
upon him.
The authorities whose duty 1t is to enforce the
laws against public offenders have made most ex-
ceieut beginning in respect to county affairs.
Now let them act with equal promptitude and
vlgor In bringing to the bar OF justice those who
ignored the law and permitted Irregularities
to employ the miidest term possible-in connection
with the disbursement of state funds
Let there be law for all. and that law be
strictly and impartIally administered.
Let justice be In behalf the people CT both
county and state.
The facts presented by the Post in its issue of
yesterday and the day before prove beyond a posi-
bllity of controversy that large share of the
emergency fund of $2il0O0 appropriated by the last
Legislature has been diverted to purposes entirely
foreign to Its provision and intent.
This has been done without sembance of legal
authority.
II has. in fact been In direct violation Of both
statutory and constitutional law.
The truth Of these charges practically ad
mtted in interview accredited to State Auditor
crouer In this mornings issue of Senator Pattersons
newspaper which has evidently taken up the defense
OF the administration. Notwithstanding the uncon
trovcrtbie evidence Of It's Official misconduct.
The attitude of Senator Patterson. and the News.
however has nothing whatever to do with the merits
OF the
II does not In any manner affect the duty OF the
authorities In the premises.
The fact Is that there has been gross mismannge-
of the state funds aggravated by utter disre-
gard of the plain provisions Of the Law and by the
most extreme negligence incompetency In the audit
Ing OF bills and in the drawing of warrants.
For these shortcomings-aga!n To put the matter
polltcy-Governor orman and his administration mus;
The integrity of the public service requires 1t and
the interests of and of the people demand It.
From another article In the number OF the Pos
70 quote the following:
Anon. tho numerous matters the taxpayers will
have to be shown are these:
Why $4,000 In OF the amount allowed by
law expended for printing.
Why the smithBrooss Company paid twice as
much for printing during previous adr,inistra'
ton.
The tangible results the state has got from
Sis. 600 paid the Sml,h.Brooks Company.
Why 100000 used from the se5i,soo
March 81 1901 when expenditures from the fund
limited by plain letter Of the law 10 this date.
Why n horde OF clerks In the auditors Office and
board of equalization that provided by law
paid out OF moneys intended for the payment OF
the states debts OF honor.
Why secretaries and clerks allowed to draw
salaries and have their warrants drawn In the
OF third party.
Why the state printers have been allowed to
charge cs,ortionnte prices and cvade their coatract
In various when the law creating the incidental
fund expressly that bills for printing be
paid by the auditor unless approved by the auditing
board.
The contention that the secretary Of state and
mcnsurcr printing check up nil printing bills to
that they correspond with the contract is not good
the various statutes quoted In the Post
yesterday. showing nil incidental and printing funds
be under the control of tho auditing board. while
printing bills be passed upon by that board. dis.
proves such n contention
II the board does not audit printing bills and de.
pcnds other officials to do so then 1t is guilty OF
further neglect and iooseness.