Omaha daily bee., 1902-02-03
Press on Meserve


else ex-State Treasurer Meserve on being
indicted by the grand jury for embezzling
the SINAI sum Of 1900, and not mentioning
the charges made against the republican
state treasurer. Why not go after large
as well as small game, gentlemen
Ord Journal Cpop.): The daily papers an
nounce that the grand jury In Douglas
county has found an indictment against ex-
Treasurer Meserve for embezzlement of
state funds, by not accounting for as much
interest as he should. Mr.. Meserve says II
is politics and persecution, and that he ac-
counted for every cent OF state money and
turned II over to his successor. II does
look o little like an effort was being made
to divert attention from Stuefer bond deals
and Savage's pardon OF BARLEY. However,
IL Meserve is guilty he should pay the PEN
atty. But there is considerable difference
between an indictment and a conviction.
Albion Argus (pop.): 1t is reported now
that ex-State Treasurer Meserve has been
indicted by a Douglas county grand jury
for depositing state school funds with an
Omaha bank and receiving interest
thereon to his individual profit while he
was In once. II this is true, then he is
no better than his republican predecessors.
No. he is worse, because he represented
people who were tired OF the Bartley-Moore
regime and elected him with the hope Of a
lawful administration II is intimsted that
he is not guilty. but that this is the work
Of political enemies to hsrass him. We
hope this may be the case. but IL he is
guilty, as charged, then go after him.
York Democrat: An Omaha grand jury
last week returned an indictment against
J. q. Meserve, former fusion state treas
urer, for embezzling interest on state funds
deposited while state treasurer in a South
Omaha bank. 1t seems ~farcical on its face,
but the indictment having been returned
the republicans who are behind the matter.
II they are honest, will push 1t to trial
without delay. Turn on the light. II ]. b.
Meserve has embezzled any money belong
ing to the people Of Nebraska they want to
know 1t. A popocratic thief is no better
han a republican thief. When John B.
Meserve is brought TO trial It will be
speedily shown that he is not an embezzler.
Neigh Yeoman (pop.): A Douglas county
grand jury has indicted ex-State Treasurer
Meserve on a charge Of taking interest on
school money deposited in a South Omaha
bank and failing to turn It over to the
state. 1t is claimed that this action is
taken to divert attention from the BARLEY
pardon and the Stuefer investigation. The
Investigation Of the case will show whether
there is foundation for the charge. Quite
likely Il is merely a political diversion,
but since the charge Is made II Is best that
the matter be cleared up. There will be
no disposition to shield a populist oficial
from any merited censure. Investigate Me-
serve, but in the act, don't overlook the
fact that the Stuefer matter hasn't yet
been satisfactorily explained.
Aurora Sun (dem.): The Omaha News
and World Herald denounce the grand jury
that has been investigating crookedDess in
Omaha, as a fake, a sham and q disgrace.
They covered up real crookedness and ex-
hibited rank partisaDism In their efforts.
They let gamblers aud thieves escape and
indicted many on himsy charges and little
or no evidence. Ex~Treasurer Meserve was
indicted for embezzling state funds after
the jury twice voted a majority against the
Indictment, because Of the utter lack OF
testimony to convict. for no other than
political reasons. However, IL there is q
s~cintilla Of truthful testimony in support
Of the charge, we are glad that he was
held, and II convicted should be thoroughly
punished. But II It is a political attempt
to distract attention from republican
thieves, while besnirching an honest on
Cldks II udnlaIuly " IA ACA0ahu u
the injury OF the party making the assault.
Columbus Telegram (dem.): Employment
In the Nebraska state treasury seems to be
a stepping stone to crime. AS the records
now stand, every incumbent In that once
during a dozen years stands before his
fellows branded as a thief. Stuefer. who
is certified by our Savage governor as the
most honestest man under the Nebraska
suns" is daily charged in the public press
with crooked handling Of the school funds.
The Telegram does not know that the
charge is true. We hope 1t is false, but
the evidence is strong. His predecessor. the
immaculate Meserve, has been indicted by
a Douglas county grand Jury for stealing
from the school fund. Perhaps he Is inno-
cent. We hope so and yet strong evidence
Of his crime was presented to the grand
Jury. Stuefer is a republican. Meserve is
a pop. Perhaps both are the victims OF
political prosecutions. We do not know. Blu
we do know it is time to begin making
public thievery odious in Nebraska, Since
the state was organized vast sums have
been stolen by public o~fieials. Not 1 per
cent OF the stealings has ever been re-
covered from the bondsmen. Not a dollar
Of the public money has been stolen from
the Holt county treasury since the day
| Barrett Scott was VacClnALed Dy lnOSe
Holt county farmers. II Is barbarous 10
vaccinate public officials whose fingers get
sticky, but It Is a sure preventive when
thieyery Is In the air
st. Paul Photograph (pop.): Eight years
ago, when we reorganized the Howard
county treasury, we established 1t upon the
basic principle that all public money. re-
gardless OF whatever hocus-pocus OF law
they may be classified, is the property OF
the public and not of the treasurer, as
others had commended, and hence every
penny OF interest upon every penny OF
principal belongs in the treasury. At that
time we supposed that this was a populist
principle, and despite the silent il-wil
and the audible ridicule which this course
elected. we still have the ~crankiness to de-
clare that this is the only honest and cor
rect system and to hope that its continuance
in this county may remain permanent.
The experience thus g~ained-and which
cannot be shaken by IDLE sophistry OF
worse-spurred us TO agitate for the appli-
cation Of this principle in all treasures
including that OF the state. This EFFORT
has wholly fallen upon deaf ears. Not q
single journalist nor political leader has
down to date shown any willingness to ad-
Vocate absolute honesty in public treasur'
les. SO, II Meserye is proved guilty OF the
act Of pocketing interest received on the