The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-07-20
Make Open Charge Of Incom-
potency Against Com
miSSionerS.
OTHER COUNTY OFFICERS
Are Charged With Not Re-
turning Fees to the County,

grand Jury in full and it is quite sen
sational document, containing more IL
rect charges and what purpoTtet tn pc
facts concerning important matter than
was generally expected, considering the
few days the grand jury had been given
TO do the work An arraignment of the
recent board of county commissioners,
who were charged with incompetency and
gross extravagance was feature Of the
report. The offices of probate judge, reg
lister of deeds and sheriff were also re
viewed. In fees that are in dispute Pro-
bate Judge ". L. Eagleston was declared
to be short in the sum of 81, 1888 and
the register of deeds. T. N, Broaddus,
in the sum Of g ,234.52. The jury advised
that the county board instruct the county
attorney to bring suit against these Of
hcers to recover these sums.
The Horace Speed matter was treated
in detail and a fraudulent conspiracy al.
legged in relation to his contract. 1t was
advised that he also be sued 10 recover
/ IS, 1892 paid him in fees. The complete
/ report is as follows:
1--WE, the grand jurors, beg leave to re
port as follows:
| lowing to the limited time given this
grand jury to investigate and report on
the affairs and conduct of each Of the
county Offices, and the fact that the ex-
aminer has no reported on the office or
county treasurer, we are compelled to
submit to the court and the board OF
county commissioners only the followins
recommendations:
I'VE find from the report of the exam
liner that W. L. Eagleton has served in
this Office from June 10. 1898; that from
that date TO April l, 1902, the total
amount of fees received by him from all
sources was IS. $685. We find he was en-
titled to retain from this amount for sal
airy $500 leaving an excess of 81, 1899,
which he should have paid 10 the count.
treasurer as excess fees. We find in his
quarterly reports to the county commits
sioners he only reported having received
s41s7.6 and that he has not included
the receipt OF s., 1854 In all fees not
reported except $6SSs4, there exists a
dispute over the duty of the probate Judge
to account for these fees TO the county.
that he has kept no record Of these dis
puted fees and the above amounts are
estimated. We find that the fee record
of this Office is not properly kept. We
recommend and advise that the county
commissioners instruct the county attor-
ney TO bring such action as may be nee
essary to compel the payment Of the said
sum. s2,46ss9. into the county treasury.
1--WE find that T. NJ. Broaddus has
served in the this office since January
3. 1897 that from that date to April, /.
1902. the fees received by him from all
sources was IS 369.05. We find he was
entitled to retain for salary $780, leav-
ing excess fees of 81. 1895 of which he
is entitled to retain one-half. leaving the
sum of 1924 5211 which he should have
paid the county as excess fees. OF the
fees collected, $685. %. he repor5si To the
county commissioners only c6SS2.35, leav-
ing not Iepc'ttd $4s6.70 iVe hnd us
puts exists be- zen Br = 1853 and the
commissioners regarding Ills si lazy AM
his duty - acc IL for certain, tfts Ee
recommend and advise that he cnurty
commissioners instruct the county attor
ney TO bring such action as may be nee.
essary to compel the payment of SAID
sum- s.. 4.52l2, into the county treasury.
We find that all the fees in the sher-
iff's office from January :, 1901. 10 April
l. 1902 have been properly retained by
said sheriff We find that the fees are
not properly reported TO the cou%ty COM
missioners and recommend that the sher-
if be instructed 10 report all fees here
after
we find that the office Of county com
missioners, up TO April /. 1902. has been
filled with persons incompetent to per-
form the duties OF that office: that these
! officers are the fiscal agents Of the coun-
Z to&
are wholly dependent for an economical
| and proper administration Of the county
affairs; that because of the neglect, in
competency and unbusiness-like methods
pursued by the persons who have filled
these offices. practically all Of the causes
for dissatisfaction in regard to county
affairs have arisen.
We find that most reckless and extrav-
agant purchases and contracts have
been made in reference to printing and
supplies. mourning great waste and loss
Of the county's funds. and that the same
extravaganza has occurred in reference to
practically all Of the business trans
acted through said office We find that
because Of the confessed incompetency
OF said officers. the reports Of the vari-
Gus county officers have neither been ap-
proved nor disappToved, and-we recon-
mend and advise the board that It en-
/ ploy a competent person at sch regular
meeting 70 check and report II writing
upon each and al OF the quarterly re-
ports fled FOR approval We recommend
that because Of the dispute about the
salaries OF the various county officers.
the legal questions IN regard thereto DC
properly submitted 70 the court for de-
( termination
Although no report has been fled by
the examiner in reference u this ONCE.
we find from our fnves;lga tons that slo01
was drawn il august. 1851, without any
warrant therefor. under instruction a.
! the county commissioners. upon the ad-
vice OF Horace Speed. and said sum piac-
cd with the American Surety company
I u New York in Kansas city. Missouri.
I There was no authority for such action.
we further find that sums aEgrs eating
g.oss.a we're drawn from the funds q
said office without warrant OF other
lawful authority. and paid % Horace
{ speed upon Instruction % the county
commissioner. We recommend ard al
wise that the county commissioners fn-
stracs the county attorney % bring such
acton as may b Necessary % recover
saia SUNS fcr this county
/ We Ind that OF September r. 1srs
/ Horace speed. through and ~ means =
= fraudulent conspiracy ard agreement
( with r ". Dunisy. then > county con-