The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-01-10

It was a year. almost to an hour,
after Governor HOch became chief ex-
ecutive of Kansas that the report Of
the special accountant employed by
him to examine the state treasury was
placed In his hands.
This examination was the result Of
the promise made by Governor Hooh
during the closing days OF the cam
paign of 1904 State Accountant
Rowett found large shortages in the
state treasury. He did not, in his re-
port, attempt to fix the responsibility
for the shortages, but in making the
investigation he traced a large amount
of the missing money directly into
the hands of T. T. Kelly, then can
didate for reelection as state treas
urer In view Of Kelly's previous rec
ord suspicion was naturally directed
towards him. Apparently to help
Kelly's reelection Governor Hoch an
nounced from the stump that he
would have an investigation of the
treasury made and if the Rowett re-
port were confirmed speedy punish
ment of the guilty persons would
follow
Relying upon Governor Hoch's
promise, the people of Kansas re-
elected Kelly. although his majority
fell $4,000 behind that of President
Roosevelt
Two months interviewed between
Governor Hoch's election and his in
auguration, and it was nearly i've
months more before he started the
investigation of the treasury. 1t had
been supposed that the governor
would instruct his accountant to
corroborate OF disprove the ROwett
report as soon as possible in order
that Kelly. if guilty, might be re-
moved from having charge Of the
state funds after which the balance
of the ground could be covered; but
instead a. new and complete investiga-
ton was ordered before any report
should be made.
This explains why Kelly has already
served half of his second term before
the report was placed in the gov
ernor's hands.
Those who have taken the pains
to familiarize themselves with the
records are at a loss to see how the
report Of Accountant Morris can do
other than corroborate that of Mr.
Rowett In the main. Even Kelly's
friends admit that it shows large
shortages in the treasury, but they are
making an effort to throw it back on
to F. z. Grimes, who was state treas
urer before Kelly. There is a per
sistent attempt being made to create
the impression among the people that
Grimes and not Kelly should be held
for the shortages. OF course the
State Journal does not know which
is the guilty party, but in view of the
fact that Kelly as assistant treasurer
handled the money during the Grimes
administration; in view of his record
in Miami county as a thief; and in
view of his record as an embezzler
in other matters connected with the
state treasury, suspicion IS naturally
directed towards Kelly.
The full facts shown by the report
of Accountant Morris will be awaited
with interest. Even the shortages ad-
mitted by KeIly's friends show that
there have been some tremendous
thefts from the treasury, and it will
be up to Governor Hoch to bring the
guilty person or persons to justice as
soon as possible.
It is feared if the governor depends
upon Attorney General Coleman prac-
tically nothing will be done. Nearly
fifteen months ago Governor Bailey
gave positive instructions to Coleman
to take steps to recover the money
missing from the treasury and to pun
ish whoever should be found guilty
of having stolen it. Coleman, how
ever. with one excuse and another
put off doing anything. although he
had no hesftancy in demanding that
Governor Bailey should return to the
treasury money spent by him in
maintaining the executive residence
according o Coleman's legal advice.
It is to be hoped that Governor
Hoch win take prompt and positive
steps, both to recover the missing
funds to the state, and more to pun
ish the criminal or criminals. and that
to do it he will not employ personal
friends of the suspects as the attor-
neys for the state.
a-@
THE PENNSYLVANIA TREASURY.