The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-05-30
HOCH TELLS HOW,
Goyernor's Instructions About
the Treasury Examination.
Says That ''Partial Examina-
ton" Has Been Made.
BACK TO YEAR 1898.
win Cover Only the Period
Since Then.
What the Law Governing Work
Provides.

for the firm of Haskin & Sells, the firm
of accountants employed to investigate
the state departments, by Governor
Hoch and his advisory board at their
meeting Monday. AS announced in the
State Journal on Monday afternoon, the
investigation will begin in the state
treasury.
Governor Hoch's letter of instructions
is as follows:
Topeka, Kan, May %, 1905
Messrs. Haskins & Sells, Chicago, Ill:
Gentlemen: At the late session of the
Kansas legislature an act was passed
nor to cause a complete investigation to
be made CT the state departments to
employ competent accountants to make
such investigation, and making an APP
preparation to pay the expenses of the
same"
You have been employed by me to
proceed under that act to investigate
such of the state departments as shall
designate. At the present time I shall
name only one department, that of the
state treasury.
It is my desire that you proceed at
once to the investigation of that depart
ment and that the investigation be car
ried on as expediUOusly as may be con-
sistent with the full, exact and search4
ing study of every transaction inVOlV-
ing money or property of the state
shall be pleased to furnish you upon
request all the assistance necessary to
enable you 80 perform the duty you
have assumed.
1t seems necessary to state that this
investigation was inspired by public
controversy as to the conduct of certain
state affairs, and also to say that a
partial examination of the treasurer's
office had been made prior to the 1egis-
latiVe action. The controversy in ques-
ton and the partial investigation refer
red to date back no further than jan
uary 1, 1898, and therefore feel justi-
fed in directing that your investiga-
ton shall commence with January 1,
1898, and that it cover the period since
You win be expected to examine all
books and records of the office Of the
state treasurer of whatever kind in
which may be found recorded any trans
action concerning the states finances or
property during the period named, and
to verify the accuracy of all such books
and records. You viii be expected as a
part of your duty to call attention to all
loose, Irregular and incompetent meth
DDS employed, if any be found to exist,
and to suggest forms and methods
which will prevent or hinder inaccur-
acies and will facilitate the prompt de-
tention Of all errors which might occur
in the future. In pursuing the investi-
cation you will have my authority
tension of your researches.
You will, of course, keep a careful and
complete record of your work and at
the close of the investigation will sub
NIT to me typewriter report cover
ing the results.
I will consult with you from time to
time during the progress of the investi-
cation and will give you further instruc-
tons as they may be needed.
In the meantime you will make no
-nv ~ h1
save and except to the executive only.
E. ". HOCH, Governor.
What the Law Provides.
A synopsis of the law under which
this investigation will be made is as
follows:
Section 1. The governor is author
lied and empowered to cause a full
investigation to be made of the various
state departments.
Sec. 2. For the purpose of making
such investigation, the governor is
authorized to employ such competent
accountant or accountants as he may
deem necessary.
Sec. g. Upon the appointment of
such accountants, they shall proceed
to examine such departments in the
order prescribed by the governor in
writing, and shall make a report to
the governor showing the result of
such investigation, and deliver the
same to him in person.
Sec. 4 Any officers. assistant, clerk,
or employee who shall Obstruct or in
terfere with such accountant in the
discharge of his duty shall be deemed
guilty Of a misdemeanor, and upon
conviction shall be fined in a sum not
less than 500 nor more than $500.
Sec. 5. If the books and records of
any department shall be obscure. or
shall fail to show in detail any trans
action, the accountant may submit to
the head of such department, his as
sistant, or any clerk thereof, written
interrogatories concerning the same,
and the person to whom such inter
rogatories are submitted shall answer
in writing, and sign and verify the
same by oath.
Sec. 6. Any person failing or re-
fusing to answer heterogeneous shall
be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor,
and subject to a fine Of from 500 to
$500.
Sec. Z. An accountant whose report
shall show that any officer, assistant
or clerk has been guilty of any Of
tense against the laws of the state of
Kansas, shall, if so requested by either
the governor or attorney general,
make an affidavit or complaint against
such officer, assistant or clerk, charg-
ing him with such offense-
Sec. 8. The governor is authorized
to employ assistant attorney generals
to prosecute such cases.
The closing sections provide a fund
Of $4,000 for the purpose of carrying
out the purposes of the act
According to the plan Of the COVER
nor and the advisory board, {. u.
Morris, the expert sent here by the
firm Of Haskins & Sells to do the
work Of investigation. will begin his
work at once in the Office of State
Treasurer T. r Kelly. Mr.. Kelly ex-
pects to leave wednesday for three
weeks trip to the Pacific coast and
the Yellowstone Park.
Japanese in Hawaii win Celebrate.
Honolulu. May S0.-The japanese at