Omaha daily bee., 1902-02-04
Republican Press or Meserve

fNAhnW0ANh 9AaA~ q "a
the reform state treasurer that
was, has been indicted by the Douglas
county grand jury for appropriating inter-
est on state money TO his wi use while
In once. Rsh for reform by reformers.
Imperial Republican: Ex-state Treasurer
Meserve has been indicted by the grand jury
at Omaha. The amount In this case is
only $500. but there are many such cases
where the aggregate will be large. II state
treasurers will persist in defrauding the
state let them a k their medicine.
Ord Quiz: Meserve says he did not do IL
and so won't put It. back. Hilton admits
taking IL and wants to know what the peo-
pie are going to do about Il. He never
thought Of putting Il back. Porter does not
say a wcrd. neither does he put 1t back.
The pops are not Of the "put-it-back" kind.
Rushville Recorders: Ex-Treasurer Me-
serve Is indicted by the grand jury OF
Douglas county, charged with diverting the
Interest Of the school funds while he was
state treasurer to his own use. OF course,
the other side is trying to howl politics,
but even politicians have to acknowledge
occasionally that sauce for the goose is
sauce for the sander.r
Fremont Tribune: Speaking Of the in
dictment OF ex-state Treasurer Meserve
for embezzling interest on school money,
the Columbus Telegram regards it as "a
badge OF honor to be indicted by a Douglas
county grand jury" Perhaps this is not
such a wide guess after all. Joe BARLEY
was indicted by a Douglas county jury. and
see to what distinction he has risen. Read
the governors pardon message again.
Broken Bow Republican; The indictment
OF ex-Treasurer Meserve by the Douglas
county grand Jury for embeEzlement Of in
tcrest on state funds was a general sur
prise. Those that knew Meserve was a
poor man when he was elected and that he
was counted among the wealthy at the
close Of his term regarded him a good
manipulation, but as his books balanced to
a cent. there was not a suspicion limited
that there had been a leak anywhere.
Kearusy Journal: 1t appears that the fu-
sionists Will now have a whirl at the en-
bezzlement counter. Last week the grand
Jury Of Douglas county indicted ex-Stato
Treasurer John b. Meserve for the embez,
element of school funds. 1t appears that
he had money belonging to the school fund
on deposit In the Union Stock Yards Ma
tional bank. from which he received in
terest. but never accounted for II. of1cers
Of the bank appeared against him. Let no
guilty man escape.
York Times: Listen now for a fereer
and shriller outburst against Meserve than
there was against BARLEY and the governor
who pardoned him. HIS crime was DELHI
crate, there was no panic, no stress OF
finances. He deliberately took the money
that belonged to the school children, the
sacred trust fund, to enrich himself. Surely
the papers Of Nebraska, and especially the
republican papers. win not be partial to a
sham reformer. Give US column after
column, week after week now, Of invective
against Meserve.
Pender Republic: The grand jury las,
week at Omaha indicted ex-Treasurer J. D.
Meserye for appropriating TO his own use
interest money paid him by a South Omaha
bank on deposits Of money belonging to
the permanent school funds. Now that a
pop state treasurer has, been legally accused
OF shortcomings. we await with interest the
comments Of pop ara democratic editors,
Some are already crying out that II is 0
political move, 1t has the appearance Of
a questionable financial move on the part
Of the ex-offcial more than anything else
York. Republican The Douglas county
grand jury, has, returned an. Indictment
against ex-state Treasurer Meserve fol-
stealing $3.50 interest every month for ter
months from the permanent school fund
The indictment was found ON pretty goot
evidence that the old man swiped the stun
but It need not give him any worry. Il
ISN'T popular to punish oficial thieves II
Nebraska, except where the misdirected ef
forts Of irresponsible .mobs overcome th'
regularly constituted authorities. And 4
he should be sent to the pen for II Their,
will only be another saint and martyr 70
the political accident which calls itsel
governor Of Nebraska to canonize.
Albion News: Ex-state Treasurer Me
serve has been indicted by a DoGglal
county grand Jury on the charge or embez
element. 1t is charged that he pocketel
q large amount OF interest received from
South Omaha bank for deposits OF stat
money. Mr.. Meserve Is entitled TO tn
reservation of judgment until he has a fAi
ana impartial trial. n found guilty, II (
to be hoped that he will go where Bartle,
ought to be. A large majority Of the peo
pie OF this state. regardless Of poIitica
aniliation are In favor OF a rigid enforce
ment OF law and the punishment Of law
breakers, no matter what political part
the culprit may belong to. No politica
party should be held accountable for tn
acts Of its black sheep. unless 1t tries t
shield them.
Bloomfield Monitor: The late indictmen
OF ex-state Treasurer Meserve Is only an
other inkiing OF the truth that the stat
laws Of Nebraska concerning state an
county treasurers are sadly In need OF re
vision. As the laws stand up to date a
honorable man can hardly aspire to tn
position. expecting to make a competenc
from his ofhcial duties. The treasurer b
srasping either horn OF the dilemma unds
our statutes is simply risking a term {
Imprisonment in the penityntiary. Her
then, is a case Of too much law and
chanee for some more legislative juggler
by our legal lights. Let the state arst pa