Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1906-04-12
THE BOOKS ARE ExPERTED.

In view OF the fact that during
the past two years there have been
numerous disclosures Of public and
private graft" and that the pub
lie has been demanding that ita
affairs shall he administered with
honesty and fairness, it seems pro-
per to say al this time that the
people Of Idaho County are to be
congratulated upon the condition
of affairs, here.
In April, 1906, Mr.. Frank Burke
was employed as an expert accoun.
tant and examiner to look into the
affairs Of the county.
This examination has cost the
county S175S.60; being the sum
that the county has paid to Mr..
Burke for bis services.
If the amount paid by the coun.
ty to one Of it's former officials il
deducted from the amounts turned
in to the county by others who
had made some clerical mistakes,
less than 500 has been paid in to
the county, by reason Of the ex-
pert's examination.
Mr.. Burke has acknowledged to
several errors himself, in his re-
ports which are on file, and it is q
most satisfactory condition Of
affairs to be able to say that the
officials themselves have been az
painstaking and as careful and are
rs thoroughly conversant with the
affairs and administration OF their
offices as the expert.
In view Of the strenuous charges,
that were made two years ago Of
The corrupt state Of affairs in the
offices held by democratic officials,
,pon the mere assumption that
here was corruption in these off,
'es, the public may be treasured
hat there is no corruption and
here has been none during the
'ears covered by Mr.. Burke's ex-
animation.
The FREE PRESS has no wish to
70 unfair or unjust, but feels that
{ is due to those who were 30 un-
airly arraigned before the bar Of
'ublic opinion two years ago, to
ay that the reports Of the
'fficials who have had care of
ounty monies and the auditing OF
'ccounts are as much to be relied
lpon as Mr.. Burke's reports.
The unreasonable clamor and
lncalled for denunciation Of these
hcials and the disclosures made
uring the examination period of
lr. Burke, call for some criticism.
n public affairs there always have
cen agitators who by their sinis-
Or talks and innuendoes have ar |
oused suspicion against honest
len. 1t was largely due to such |
citation as this that Idaho county
aid out during the last twelve
lonths the sum Of sixteen or seven.
ben hundred dollars, to satisfy
MS agitation. The men who have
ED the several Offices were under
cloud by reason Of these innuen.
oes, and it is due them to cay
18th emphasis that the insinua.
ons Of those who resort to the
lethods of demagogues to throw q
oud over the lives OF honest and
'pable men, should be met by q
lst and fair statement of real
In Mr.. Burke's final report filed
pril 7, 1906, he has made state
emit Of resources and liabilities.
this statement Mr.. Burke has
cluded delinquent taxes for the
'ars 1897 to 1904 amounting in
to about $685. 900. OF these
inns several thousand dollars are
'rthless. The total resources of
Q county he places at the sum of
1927, being $24, $500 more !
an the liabilities. Liabilities are
'rrants outstanding with inter- !
thereon computed. Several, il :
t all, the items named in the re-
urces are fluctuating except the
ms of cash sls,666.05. Mr..
'rke's report Of outstanding
unity warrants does not agree