Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-03-26
MERRIAM IN
DES MONIES
FORMER STATE AUDITOR RE.
TURNS TO IOWA TO FACE
GRAFT CHARGES.
BEEHLER IS TOO ILL

Former Deputy Under Merriam Can.
not Leave His Home in Chicago
Merriam Says He Knows Nothing Of
the Allegations Against Him.
Des Moines, March 25. = Ex-
Auditor Frank F. Merriam, who
is under accusation of misconduct
while in office, arrived in .Des Moines
yesterday. When seen at the Victoria
hotel last night, he declined to say
anything as to the probable outcome
of the investigation concerning his ac-
tions. preferring to await the decision
of the committee after the matter has
been thoroughly gone over.
Not knowing the charges against
me, | am not in a position to say any
thing about the Investigation" said
Mr.. Merriam.
Read Governors Message.
"The only intimation 1 have seen
with regard to the matter Is the refer.
ence made In the governors message.
Outside of this am entirely ignorant
of the matter. expect to meet with
the committee tomorrow and assist
them with every means in my power
to arrive at conclusion in the case,
after which shall be in position to
state more positively what the direct
charges are and what my actions have
been.
Why He Waited.
81 did not come to Des Moines upon
the receipt of my first letter from Sen
ator Hayward, chairman of the legisla-
tive committee, requesting my pres
ence here, for the reason that business
matters detained me unavoidably in
Oklahoma. However, as soon as my
business was disposed of to such an
extent that i was able to leave It,,
made arrangements to return to meet
| the committee in whatever work they
had undertaken for the investigation
of my official actiorE Understand
| from the reference. made in the gov
enror's message that afidavits have
been made by different insurance COM
panies as to the charges made by Mr..
| Beehler for the examinations made" "
BeehIer Will Not Come.
''Will Mr.. Beehler come before the
committee?" was asked.
Il do not think So" answered Mr.
Merriam. 81 saw him in Chicago, while
there short time ago and do not
think that he is physically able to
come to Des Moines at this time. He
is troubled with an affection of the
throat to such an extent that any ex
ertion causes him much inconvenience
He told me that he had not been aboard
4 a train for over a year,
Haven't you heard anything beyond
4 common report as to the charges
against you?"
Knows Nothing Except Rumor.
mot thing" answered the ex-au
1 ditor. 81 wrote to the committee fol
something specific in this regard anc
got nothing but a copy of the govern
ors message in return. The specifi,
I charges have never been given to MI
that I might see just what the actor
is. The executive council, as I under
stand it, went over the ground primar
! lily and nothing more until Governo
Cummins took the matter up in hi
biennial message to the legislature
This is what received from the com
mittee on investigation.
81 had conversation with Senate
Hayward today, although nothing wa
: Mr.. Hayward preferred to say nothing
: until he had conferred with the othe
. members and consequently nothin
will be done until the meeting, whicl
l expect will be called today. The onl
position | maintain is that of a defens
of my administration of the auditor
Office In this regard the work of MI
Beehler will be defended by me, as hi
actions were under my supervision
and l am of course responsible.
Does Not Blame Governor.
"No, / don't have any blame to at
tach to the governor 70
this talk about me, for an
entirely at sea as to the nature of tn,
2 charges, the makers of the affidavits
2 or as to what the legislature commit
: tee will do in the matter. am in tn,
;. city to defend myself and my work TO
3 the state, and therefore cannot sa,
e anything specific with regard to tn
D matter in any way. do not wisl
i to cast the slightest inference o
> blame on the governor, and therefor
do not wish to speak in that direction
further.
j. Hints at Spite.
81 think, however, could name
e few responsible parties, but this hasn'
anything to do with the present mai
ter. am perfectly willing to spea
j of anything know, but don't misur
9 derstand me when say that hav
. not read the charges and know abst
. lutely nothing of what will brough
against me by the committee. Sens
!. tor Hayward tells me he is anxious t
call the committee tomorrow. and wit
this in view think that our wor
will be completed in very few days
Two or three days will complete tn
J. routine, | believe. At least hope 81
e for / wish to return to my business i
! Oklahoma"
n Secretary Wilson Returns Improved
I Washington, D. c., March 25. Sc
e retary Wilson has returned from tn
/ II II. y.