Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1902-03-06


The bacillus OF investigation seems to
have taken possession af our law
makers. and hGs gntten in its work
pretty thoroughly on all sides. The
chief topic OF discussion. not only in
Senate and House. but throughout all
. public places. hotels. clubs. ctr.
around the Capital City. has been the
1enltentiary Investigation. As stated
before in these columns. the commit
tee appointed two years ago by the
Legislature from its own members has
given a vast amount sf time and
thought 70 this work. ald has conduct
ed its Investigation in a fair and care
ful manner. The task before them
was herculean- A great number Of
Witnesses were examined and the COM
mitree, in it's desire to be absolutely
Just to All parties, sent far and wide
for witnesses To prove Just what the
management had been. Day and
night since the early days OF the ses-
sion they have. been shut off from
everything but this important work. in
the committees rooms. As the session
drew to a close a resolution was adopt
ed by the Legislature asking for 4
prompt report of the work that hat
been done. This report was made and
signed by all save one member. who
dissented. and one who was III. but IN
order to do it the Investigation had to
stop at its most important stage. and
while its expert was still at work on
the books Of the peniteutiary. The
committee reported that in so far as
they could discover the hoarsi had been
appropriation OF funds. but that the
management had not been efficient.
and a change in the Law ds to the
penitentiary management was recon-
mended. Upon submission OF the re-
port. for the first time IN the expe-
rience oe the oldest legislator. the re-
port Of an investi yatisn committee
was not adopted without argument.
but was followed by the presentation
OF a resolution Diminishing the com
mitree and exnueratins the manage
ment as honest and efficient This
resolution opened the gates for long
Dent-up fnods Of elGquence and for
two whole days the Senate and House.
with their respective Inhbfes. listened
to fmpassfoned speeches on both
sides Of the question. 1t did not seem
to be the opinion of any man that
Intentional wrong had been done by
prisou-0nIy such as would accrue
from the careless management of large
interests. On the other hand. it was
coItended that there had been no
carelessnesE. but. On the contrary. the
State had been largely the gamer by
the methods pursued by those in an
thcrity. Intense feeling WIS developed
during the debate and mucn bitter
ness engendered during the consider.
alton OF this unusual resolution, and
most Of the Senator's ami Representa-
tives spoke for or against the meas-
ure. To put it mildly. the committee
was placed IN a most difficult position
by this resolution Had they been al
lowed 20 complete their work there Is
no knowing what might have been
their report whether clearing or con-
demning the warden and board. As
IL was. they were required to stop
short of and make. Il partial report.
After two days discussion the matter
was amicabiy adjusted by the substi-
sutian OF a resolution receiving the
report and dismissing the committee.
Another committee was appointed to
investigate the facts leading up to the
dismissal from the Office Of treasurer
Of Mr.. Showers, but Messrs. Showers
and Raiford refused to testify because
they were under Indictment by the
grand Jury Mr. Phil A. Rush Ike
wise refused for similar reasons. The
cummittee's findings were practically
the same as the facts that have al
ready been published IN this matter
In the forged interiineation in a
bill passed by the last Legislature. by
which forgery the -Wineman heirs
OF Chicago were the gamers largely,
the investigating committee spent
much time and summoned many wit
nesses IN their endeuvur to get at all
the facts in this outrageous and some
what original violation OF law Their
against any one, but ths inference that
has been drawn from it reflects Sc
riousiy upon a man now high In at
fairs of the State. We do not wish to
do any man injury in these columns;
hence make no affirmatious where a
charge is not preferred
The committee to Investigate public
offices varied the manotony by report
ing favorable findings and honest
men, hence We append its full report.
SECRETARY OF STATE
We find this Office in all respects
kept In frstclass style, the receipts
and expenditures fully accounted for.
by proper and legal vouchers. and
heartily commend the honest and
husinesHliks methods Of the present
incumbent, as we'll as those of his Ia
mented predecessor Respectfully sub
m1rred, E. A WHITE,
H. G. JOHNSTON.
AUDITOR
We nnd all books required by law
IN the ONCE and the same in a neat
and husiness+like manner, Just as the
law dtrectss everything In place. and
place for everything. and the State
Is to be commended for the very ef-
ncient business methods which are
practiced in this effice. The fidelity
and zeal that las characterized its
management Is a matter Of great pride
20 the people of our State. and in the
lAuxuags af the inspired author. it
can be said We'll done. thou gnod and