The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1906-12-12
STANFORD IN CLOSE QUARTERS.
Declares He Is, Law Unto Himself So
Far as Public Graft Is Concerned.

Special to The Tribune.
OGDEN, Dec. 10.-"When il comes to
a point where i must state what l
expended the money for In presenting
county and must itemiZe every Item /
am a law unto myself and | VIII not alter
this claim one iota.
This was the language Of old Joseph
Stanford at a meeting Of The board OF
county commissioners held today. The
old man was driven out Of office for al
legged grating Of expenses from the coun-
y and alleged perjury In swearing TO
false claims. but was permitted to re-
sign. He was Immediately appointed to
position that has made him ex onieio
chairman of the board from which he
was ousted, by the remaining commits
sioners, and there has not been meet
Ing of the board since at which he has
not been present and the ruling spirit
And today he hurled hes defiance Of the
statutes OF the State Of Utah 10 the pub
lie. with the utterance, 81 am law unto
myself" David Mckay. the new commits
sioner, was present and having qualified
with ample bonds rebuiked the venerable
old CRATER, saying that what the statutes
require are the requirements that men
must live up TO. but Stanford was OBJ
durate. and strong in his belief that
the law could be construed as he thought
best.
The incident came up on the presenta-
ton TO County Clerk David Mattson OF
Stanford's claim for alleged expenses as
commissioner In October OF this year. The
claim was for s15.25. and the. items were
listed in the most general character:
For actual and necessary expenses for
attending the county court and for Wis
iting the infirmary, $3.50 For ex-
business. $3.50" And then for another
visit to the poor farm. and 81 for at
tending sessions OF the county commits
sioners and expenses"
law obeyed in these matters. addressed
County Attorney Huaniski, and asked
If the several items should not under the
statutes. be explained In the bin. II.
for instance. Mr., Stanford bought q ticket
for Sal, Lake when he charged $500 for
the round trip. should IL not be explained
what he paid for the ticket and Of what
give the actual Items and the cost OF each,
and show receipts for the $3.50 he spends
or receives from the county on each of
Captain Hulanisli thought that he
should but the old eccesiast declares
openly TO the. board that "he is law
allowed and will not be until ne itemizes
it, and this he declares he Will not do,
but viii let Weber county have the SIS %,
Ir. Stanfords salary OF $50 for SER
vices as poor commissioner. was allowed
for the full month of November, though
his appointment, is dated Nov H. This
WIS on the authority OF County Attorney
a Breeder. the Attorney General Coun-
" Clerk Mattson does not believe that
the board OF county commissioners OF We
Der county has the right TO appoint
fourth commissioner, but the legal lights
seem to think that IL is all right If the
fourth commissioner is designated by an
other title. such as poor commissioner.
poor supervisor for instance.
The developments are likely TO become
interesting. Stanford has yet to learn
that there is higher power in the land
tnau ecclesiasticIsm. and that no man
who does not walk uprightly in public
paths can be a law unto himself This
is about the limit.