The Grit-advocate., 1902-10-17

There appears to be an utter disregard OF law
In the handling Of the state funds and appropriations
are Jusssd to suit the purposes Of those who have
control Of them.
The people demanded and hoped for a really con-
scientous business administration at the hands OF
Honest Jim" Orman and his responsible associates
Instead they appear to have been served with the
same old brand of which they have been complaining
for these many years.
On the 18th Of August Post printed another leadn
editorial on the same subject in which it said:
The Post has several times taken occasion to COM
mend the prompt and vigorous action taken by the
proper public authorities In the matter OF the county
printing scandal.
Now that it has been conclusively shown that
more serious and far extensive Irregularities
have occurred during the past eght"en months in the
handling and disbursement of state funds. the Post
confidently anticipates that similar prompt and vigor-
GUS action will be taken In this case, also, to bring
the responsible parties to justice and protect the in
terests of the people.
No public ofRcial should be allowed to escape the
consequences of derelction duty malfeasance
office. 'f
Be he governor be he county commissioner be
he of exalted humble station be he Of political
party another. he should be made amenable to the
penalties for maadministration of the trust imposed
upon him.
The authorities whose duty it is to enforce the
laws against public offenders have made a most
cellent beginning in respect to county affairs
Now let them act with equal pronlptltude and
vigor in bringing to the bar Of Justice those who
ignored the law and permitted Irregularities
to employ the mildest term possble-n connection
with the disbursement of state funds.
Let there be law for all, and that law bs
strictly and impartially administered.
Let justice be done in behalf Of the people of both
county and state.
VTb tic ~
yesterday and the day before prove beyond possi-
biity of controversy that very large share Of the
emergency fund of $241oo0 appropriated by the last
Legislature has been diverted to purposes entirely
foreign to its provision and intent.
This has been done without semblance OF legal
authority
has, in fact been done In direct violation Of both
statutory and constitutional law.
The truth of these charges practically ad-
mitted in interview accredited to State Auditor
Crouer in this mornings issue of Senator Pattersons
newspaper which has evidently taken up the defense
OF the state administration. Notwithstanding the uncon-
trovertble evidence of its official misconduct
The attitude of Senator Patterson, and the News.
however has nothing whatever to do with the merits
of the
1t does not in any manner affect the duty OF the
authorities in the premises.
The fact is that there has been gross mismanage-
ment of the state funds aggravated by utter disre
gard of the plain provisions of the law and by the
most extreme negligence ncompetency in the audit
ing of bills and in the drawing of warrants.
For these shortcomngs-again to put the matter
poitely-Governor Orman and his administration must
answer.
The integrity Of the public requires 1t and
the interests of state and Of the people demand It,
The attitude President Roosevelt has taken in tn,