The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-10-18

bility when. as you say. you did not
take the money!"
''Wen, somebody had to assume it.
Topeka Capital.
Doesn't that look like making a
scapegoat of Mr.. Richey?-Leaven-
| worth Times.
Our Nildness.
Atchison Globe: The Topeka State
Journal started it, but it was mild
! compared with what the other papers
are saying
"You know, Roy pleaded Grimes,
that you borrowed money from me
| to make this good, and that I have
your note for the full amount. They
are saying that Tom Kelly paid the
money back. You know that is not
true. You know you paid it back.
Capital.
But Roy didn't say so. Why didn't
Grimes try another $500 0?-Leaven-
| worth Times.
Leavenworth Times: The case of the
Abilene Reflector is peculiar. When
charges were made of corruption at
| Topeka, the Reflector was one of the
first to come to the defense of Burrow
Coleman, Dayhoff and Kelly. Strange
ly enough, however, the first shortage
which was run to the earth and the
money recovered was an interest pay
circumstances it would seem that the
Reflector would learn that something
was or had been wrong. But the Re
f1ector doesn't know it, and it goes
right on telling of the absolute honesty
of the gang and publishing whatever
it can find to prove that the men who
made the charges are small men and
prosecutors" Isn't it peculiar?
Kansas Twice Disgraced in a Year.
Leavenworth Times: The report of
State Accountant Rowett covered in
veStigatiOns of the business transacted
between each of twelve Kansas coun-
ties and the state treasurer. The
shortage thus far discovered is ap-
proximately $4,000. When the inquiry
including all of the 105 counties in
Kansas is completed what will the
total shortage be found to be?
Since the investigation began pay
ments have been sprreptitiously enter
ed upon the treasurer's books Pay
ments have been made by letter,
anonymo mously.
The payments which have been
made and not credited were not and
many of them are not now in possess
sion of the state. The treasurer's
books have balanced regularly, some
thing impossible if the difficulty had
been merely an inattention in keeping
the treasurer's books.
The first of the disclosed peculations
dates back to 1900. 1t was not dis
covered in 1901, nor in 1902 nor in
1903, nor in 1904 until a state account
ant was appointed to make an investi-
cation. 1t would not have been dis
covered in 1904 nor in 1905 unless. an
expert had been appointed to examine
the books.
Governor Bailey made the appoint
ment of a state accountant despite the
protest of the Boss Buster newspapers.
And having made it he was attacked
viciously for having defied their
wishes.
of Kansas.
Crimes processes to be surprised at
discoveries. which concern his admin
istration as state treasurer Kelly,
who served as assistant state treasurer
under Grimes and two years as state
treasurer, processes to be surprised
that Irregularities have been found.
That is another chapter.
And here is a chapter:
State Treasurer Kelly ousted the
state accountant and his assistant from
the treasurer's office and set them to
work in the cloak room. Certain of
his accounts he refused to submit to
examination. And yet, State Treas
urer Kelly, when questioned, says
coolly. that Richey must have commit
ted the thefts-
Ex-State Treasurer Grimes has Of
fered to cooperate with Attorney
General Coleman in sitting the matter
to the bottom. Meanwhile he loans
Richey a sum of money sufficient to
enable MN, the latter, TO make good
at least one of the discrepancies. A
clerical error, perhaps. Still Richey
is persuaded to advance money to
complete the account. The entry is in
Richey's handwriting, but Richey de-
MES that he ever possessed or used
the sum.
That is another chapter.
State Accountant Rowett is in New
York continuing his Investigations. An
additional sensation is promised upon
his return.
That will be another chapter.
The disgrace of Kansas, the second
within a year by members of the
Burton Curtis -Burrow gang, is ac-
complished.
Now let Kansas act!