The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1905-05-31
is EXPECTED
Believed That He VIII Arrive in To-
peka Tomorrow.

]. c. GaffOrd of Minneapolis, Kan,
the new state accountant is expected
to arrive in Topeka tomorrow to be-
gin his new work. Mr.. Gafford is a
years experience.
1t seems somewhat doubtful where
Mr. GamOrd will start in with his
work. Governor HOch says that point
has not yet been determined The law
places the accountant directly under
the charge of the governor. He can
have anything examined that he
wants.
Under the new state accountant
law, it is the duty of the state ac-
countant ION the order of the COVER
nor in writing. to visit, without pre-
viOuS notice, the Office of state treas
urer, auditor of state, secretary of
state, bank commissioner, superin-
tendent of insurance and school fund
commissioners, and either or any of
institutions, the reform schools. the
state reformatory, the state peniten-
tiary, and any and all other public Of
fees He shall carefully examine the
books, records thereof, and their
methods of keeping accounts. and
verify the correctness of the same, and
shall report in writing the condition
tn ereof."
Governor Hoch says: 1.-THE work
which Mr.. Gafford will do will not be
special accounting which has been be-
gun by the firm of Haskin & Sells"
This means that Mr.. Gafford will
not be expected to mix UP with the IN
vestigation of the state treasury 1t
is likely that he will be employed to a
considerable extent in inspecting the
books and business methods of the
state institutions, and in getting the
new state board of control established
on proper bookkeeping systems.
1-s4.r n1ro state
countant an Office of great dignity and
importance, and it is bound to cut
considerable figure in state affairs.
The state accountant viii get $z,5VO a
year, which is as much salary as IS
received by any of the state othclals
except the governor.
In addition to his salary of $1,000,
Mr. GaffOrd will get all his expenses
paid when he is out OF town on any
missionary work among the state IN
stitutions or in search OF information
necessary to his work.
Mr. Gafford has not yet announced
his appointment of an assistant, OF
clerk. This is a good job. the pay be
ing 500 per month. rms apPol NJ.
ment can not be made without the
consent of the governor in writing.
The clerk shall co such work as the
state accountant with the approval OF
the governor. may direct The clerk
may be removed at any t1mes Win the
approval of the governor.
ANY time that the state accountant
feels in need of any special assistance,
the governor may appoint ali that are
necessary, and they shall get $40 per
dav for their services while in the en-
Dlov of the state. 1t is not expected
that Mr.. Gafford will need any special
assistance for Investigations while the
Haskin & Sells investigation IS IN
The appointment of state account
ant is for term of two years, but
again the governor is given absolute
power over the situation by the au-
thority to remove the accountant
whenever he takes notion to DO so.
It seems to be the purpose Of the law,
however that some one shall be. IN
continuous charge Of the once; Jnat IS,
a governor can not take the authorlly
fo rra cficalIv abolish the Office.
PLENTY of authority is given to the
accountant to get all the information
which he needs in his work. The new
law saws: .tTt shall be the duty of any
and all state officers. the heads of state
| institutions and all county officers 10
render to the state accountant herein
provided for. every assistance and 1acll-
| itv for the examination of their re-
spective departments or institutions.
Anv officer who shall fail, neglect or
refI1se to render the necessary assist
ance as herein provided shall be
deemed guilty of a misdem eanor and
uDon. conviction shall be fined in a sum
/ not less than 500 nor more than
| $500"
The accountant is given authority to
administer oaths, and take sworn testi-
mOny-