Idaho Springs siftings., 1902-10-18

Be he governor or be he county commissioner, be
he of exalted humble station be he of political
party another. he should be made amenabe to the
penalties for maladminstration of the trust imposed
him.
The authorities whose duty it is to enforce the
laws against public offenders have made a most
celent beginning in respect to county affairs
Now let them act with equal promptitude and
vigor in bringing to the bar of justice those who
ignored the law and permitted gross Irregularities
to employ the mildest 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 done behalf of the people of both
county and state.
The facts presented by the Post in its issue of
yesterday and the day before prove beyond possi-
bity of controversy that very large share of the
emergency fund of $241000 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.
1t has in fact been done 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 Patersons
newspaper. which has evidently taken the defense
of the state administration Notwithstanding the uncon
trovertible 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 ct 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 shortcomings again to put the matter
politey-Governor Orman and his administration must
The integrity of the public service requires and
the interests of state and of the people demand it,
From another article in the number of the Pos
We quote the following
Among the matters the taxpayers will
have to be shown these:
Why $4,000 in of the amount allowed by
law was expended for printing.
Why the Smith-Brooks Company paid twice
much for printing as during any previous administra
ton.
The tangible results the state has got from
s11S.OOO paid to the Smith Brooks Company.
Why over 100000 was used from the s251 500
after March 81 1901, when expenditures the fund
limited by plain letter of the law to this date.
Why horde of clerks in the auditors office and
board of equalization that not provided by law
paid out of moneys intended for the payment of
the states debts of honor
Why secretaries and clerks allowed draw
extra salaries and have their drawn in the
name of a third party.
Why the state printers have been allowed to
charge extortionate prices and their contract
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
measurer of printing check up all printing bills to see
that they correspond with the not good A
reference to the various statutes quoted Post
yesterday, showing all incidental and printing funds
to be under the control of the auditing board while
printing bills must be passed upon by that board dis
proves such a contention.
If the board does not audit printing bills and de-
pends other officials to so then it is guilty of
further neglect and looseness.