The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1906-01-31
IL PEoPLE INCFNsED.

IKE PEOPLE ANetEe# SID.
Is it any wonder that people ali over
Kansas are incensed at the aetion-or
lack OF action-on the part of Cover
nor Hoch in the treasury matter when
the circumstances surrounding Kelly's
reelection and the faith of the people
in Hoch are considered.
When the Rowett report came out
Kelly's friends set up the cry that
Rowett was prejudiced ana that Cover
nor Bailey was trying to bring out
things that would defeat Kelly. Kelly
put on an injured air and claimed he
was being "persecuted'' by Bailey and
Rowett. Then he submitted his IA
nous resignation in escrow and Cover
nor Koch promised to investigate the
treasury as soon as he became COVER
nor
The cry went up from Keliy's friends
for an unprecedented" investiga ton,
and the people were given to under
stand that If the Rowett report should
be upheld Kelly would either quit or
be removed. The wording of Kelly's
resignation even contemplates q Grim
fnal prosecution if the Rowett report
should be confirmed.
And now after a wait Of over a year,
of his term, the Rowett report is not
only confirmed by an unprejudiced ac-
countant but other misdemeanors are
also brought out against Kelly. And
in the meanwhile Kelly has been play
ing fast and loose with the states
money, Ioaning more than half mill
lion dollars through the First National
bank to c. J. Devlin, and doing various
other things contrary to law
In the face of all this Governor
Hoch declines to accept the resignation
that Kelly gave him in escrow over a
year ago, and says he will not begin
any prosecution to punish Kelly.
Is it any wonder that the people and
newspapers of Kansas are incensed
about it. For instance, here is the
comment of the Arkansas City Travel
er, d paper that last year supported
Kelly for reelection because of Cover
nor Hcch's promises and the Tesisna-
ton in escrow:
I'VE have always had an idea that
the business of the state should be con-
Quoted as carefully and in the same
way that successful business man
would carry on his. Perhaps this idea
is an incorrect one, but we are SO old
fashioned that we can see no reason
why the affairs of the state should be
conducted differently from those of an
individual.
I'VE believe if we were in business
on such large proportions that It re
Quired us to have man to keep our
books and take care Of our money ana
there were persistent and ugly rumors
and charges made that this man was
knocking down, we would certainly de-
mand that an investigator De MADE
If necessary we would employ an eX-
pert TO do il. If the investigation re-
4
money we would demand that the
defcit be made good. If the employe
refused to pay we know of no business
man who would sue his enploye to
recover his money.
con the other hand he would begin
criminal prosecutions and there would
be very little hesitancy in the matter
If an employe of the national govern
ment is short he IS prosecuted crln-
inally before a civil action is thought
governor Hoch in the state treas
urv shortage has reversed the general
method of things. Saturday afternoon
he gave out his statement concerning
his action On the state treasury deficit.
The statement is to the enect that ne
will have Attorney General Coleman
bring suits to determine the amount or
the $4,000 shortage which ex-Treas-
1rer Frank Grimes and Treasurer Kelly
must pav back into the treasury.
There will be no criminal prosecu-
ton. No custer suit will be com
menced. at least not for the present.
# is animated that the civil actions to
recover the money may develop some
thing which will warrant further
acton.
ssThe positive declaration is made
that the escrow resignation OF state
treasurer T. T. Kelly viii not be ac-
copied. Governor Hoch holds that
conditions do not warrant the accept
ance Of the resignation"