Williams news., 1905-11-25
PUBLISH THE REPORTS

Coconino county, over some of the proceedings of the hoard of super 1 visors, that the newspaper claimed 1 were irregular. The territorial ex aminer made an investigation, and his report was filed with the gov ernor, who sent copy to the dis trict attorney of Coconino. The newspaper man wanted to see the copy of the examiners report, but the district attorney refused to per init it. To the executive appeal was made for an order to permit examinatio of the document His excellency responded with letter authorizing an examination if the district attorney thought it advisa- ble. Of course that official thought it inadvisable to permit examina- ton. So that ended the matter, and the newspa per confessed defeat.
 The NEWS has taken the first lesson in acquisition of knowledge of the really autocratic powers pos sessed by the rulers of the people under territorial form of govern ment. Responsible to no one. they can follow their own sweet wills, and generally do so. And they will stand with one another in warding off investigation and preventing exposure.
 It was thought the act creating the post of territorial examiner, whose duty it is to check up and regulate county officials to strict responsibility and saving money of taxpayers; but if that official can work in the dark, and the result of his Investigations never brought to light, the condition of affairs is made worse rather than improved. Under the law as it was, a grand jury could employ an expert and make public his report. That was means of exposing wrong doing, although not frequently employed. The law creating the public exam finer has taken from grand juries the power to pay experts. That prevents exercise of the power to employ them. And if the reports of the territorial examiner can be juggled, as charged by the WILL HAMS NEWS in Coconino county, the people are deprived of any protec- ton whatever A crooked public examiner. in collision with crooked officials in any county, could loot the public treasury with no one the wiser. To make the law effective it should be amended to provide for publication of the reports of the public examiner in the county af- fected by each particular examina- tion.-Nogales Oasis.
 Your summary of the situation is about the proper thing, Colonel Bird; but in stating that the mat ter is ended you are in error. That article you read was written in a sarcastic vein and had the effect of causing the attorney to disgorge a part of the report-that relating to himself. We hope to get the rest later on. In an article last week you will see that we advocated amending the law so that publica- tion of the reports will be made compulsory.
 For the past week or two a peti- tion to District Attorney Ashurst, asking that he give up the territo- rial examiners report for publica- tion, has been very much in evil dence in the postoffice. Though no effort is being made to secure sign CTS, all who read the petition do I sign it. There are now about fifty names on the list and it is intended to forward same to the attorney upon his return from California. If you have not yet signed the peti- tion and feel that you want to know what that report contains, don't lose this opportunity to have your name placed among the men who are not afraid to say they want to know how the business of the conn.,