Omaha daily bee., 1902-06-14

ferret the matter to the bottom. and, IL the
charges are true against stuefer. he is
compelled to resign or is impeached?
We don't believe they will. The rank
and file Of the republican party, even
though some Of its leading politicians seem
to have a cowardly fear to stir up the mess
down there and find out whether it is
really as putrid as surface conditions indi-
cate, want a state treasurer who will be
straight with the people. II Stuefer is a
lamentable failure OF their ideal they want
him out And the sooner the better.
Explain or Resign.
Central City Nonpareil Crep.): To put
Il charitably, there Is something that looks
very shady about State Treasurer Stuefer's
methods OF converting the state school
funds into bond investments. The recent
exposures have placed Mr.. Stuefer's name
under a cloud. His explanations have been
very unsatisfactory and have failed to
clear the recent Burt and Cunning county
bond deals Of the appearance of jobbery
which they bear upon their face. The re-
publicans Of Nebraska have reposed a
solemn trust in Mr.. Stuefer. When Joe
BARLEY betrayed his trust the republican
party suffered for II, and not unjustly, for
a party must stand sponsor for the men
Il elevates to high places. A public on
cial is not alone the custodian of the pub
lie welfare and his own conscience, but
Of his party's honor as we'll. The man
who betrays them all for a few paltry
thousands OF dollars is worse than the thief
who breaks In at night and robs at the
expense only Of his own conscience and
his victims purse, and deserves punish
ment more severe. William Stuefer owes
II to his state, to his party and to his W
good name to explain away these charges
that have been made against him. II he
can't do this he owes It to common de-
cency to resign an Office he has disgraced.
Robes Are Not Clean.
o'Neill Frontier (rep.): Treasurer stue-
fer's explanation does not exactly wash
his robes Of suspicion in connection with
those bond deals. He should either I'M
ouestionably clear himself or make room
for another treasurer.
out of Excuse Business.
Clay Center Sun: State Treasurer stue-
fer is charged by The Omaha Bee with COM
plicity in a bond transaction in his homo
county, whereby a business friend, II not a
partner, proHted to the tune Of $4,000 at
the expense Of the state. Mr.. stueter Wig
orously denies. 1t was necessary. during
the late campaign to make excuses for Mr..
Stuefer and the republican party should go
out of that business altogether, leaving
such unwise things to the demo-pops.
P~itifuIIy Weak Excuse.
st. Paul Republican: Corruption in high
places deserves the prompt condemnation
OF every republican newspaper, no matter
by whom committed nor by whom exposed.
There is too much Of an inclination shown
to defend Stuefer because he is accused by
Rosewater. The republican newspapers Of
this state. which have been tried by fire In
the past, ought to be too big for such a
petty policy. The evidence which The
Omaha Bee has introduced against Mr..
Stuefer is unimpeachable. 1t is to the ef-
feet that the state treasurer permitted
several issues Of county bonds to pass I'M
necessarily through the hands OF stock
jobbers. who clipped interest coupons ag-
gregating thousands OF dollars before de-
posting them in the state treasury as al
investment for the permanent school fund.
Mr.. Stuefer's published explanation is so
~pitifully weak as to amount to a practical
confession OF collision at the very appar-
emit fraud. He says the reason he failed
to make a direct offer for the various is
sues OF bonds was because he is prevented
by the constitution from offering a pre-
MUM, yet in the next breath he admits
paying a premium on state warrants. He
mdkCo q Ddu mdlICI Wy OOIlBdA AlB
his record to those OF his predecessors,
one Of whom is in the penitentiary and the
other IN a bank which he was enabled to
start with funds accumulated during his
four years term. There should be no anti
R~osewater foolishness in dealing with the
case of Mr.. Stuefer. TIT concerted voice
Of the republican press can bring about
his resignation II nothing else can. A
prompt resignation upon demand is the
least reparation which an unfaithful public
servant can render an outraged constitu-
ency.
Let stuefer Step Ont.
Clay Center Sun (rep.); After reading
The Omaha Bees statements following its
charges OF State Treasurer Stuefer's mis-
use Of the surplus funds and the treas
urer's defense It looks very much like The
Bee had the best OF 1t, and that Mr.. Stue-
fer has. after having an opportunity to In
vest state funds. permitted the opportun-
fly TO go by and afterward purchased the
same bonds at a decided loss to the state,
said loss going to middlemer. This seems
to have been done In three or more in
stances. and 1t is not strange II he should
be charged with collision. The republican
party took a step on the right road when 1t
demanded the return OF BARLEY to the PEN
itentiary, made the second step by having
Mr.. Goold withdraw, and now. II Treasurer
Stuefer Is specializing with the public
funds let him step down and out. Let II
be distinctly understood that republican
officials must be like Caesars wife-above
suspicion.
Should Relieve the Party.
Blair Courier (rep): The Omaha Bee
calls upon State Treasurer Stuefer to re-
sign and others less radical ask a thorough
investigation OF The Bees charges. II Mr.
Stuefer can stand the light Of an investi.
cation, we'll and good, and none will BE-
better pleased than the republicans Of the
state who call for an investigation. II he
cannot he should resign at once and relieve
the party as soon as possible OF the odiuu
, he has already brought upon 1t. II repub.
licans do not attend to their own soilet
linen the opposition party will do It fol
, them at the next election.
Cannot AFFORD to Wait.
, Kearney Hub (rep.): The Central City
Nonpareil thinks that State Treasurer