The Adair County news. [volume] (Columbia, Ky.) 1897-1987, 1906-08-08

or paid nave been on vouchers" made
either by the present Attorney General
or Governor or in pursuance Of express
contracts made by my predecessor in Of
flee. The attorneys fees of which he
speaks arose out of transactions prior
to the time I became Auditor I have
no direct personal knowledge in regard
to them, but am satisfied that the serv-
ices charged for were rendered and
amounts asked reasonable. else my de-
ceased predecessor would not have al
lowed them.
Salary Rebates.
''This was also a subject of legisla-
tive inquiry. The committee. after hear
ing all the evidence. made a report ex-
onerating me from any blame, using the
following language: 1T was shown to
us by undenied statements that the
Auditor knew nothing about either the
agreement made between Salmon and
Thompson, or that Franklin was sending
$50 per month to the widow of the man
that formerly held the position
Gen. Hays is in error insofar as he
claims there has been an increase of cost
to the state in running this department.
The department for a number of years
expended more money for clerk hire than
has been used during my present term
as Auditor. Heretofore, when extra
clerks were needed, it was paid out of
the department funds and charged as ex-
ira clerk hire, but the present commits
siOner. having some doubt as to the
legality of this procedure, asked for an
appropriation of $3.50 and received it.
At no time, however, was this amount
used, $500 each year being turned into
the state treasury. The legislative re-
port upon this subject is as follows: Our
attention was next directed to the Insur-
ance Department. We found that depart
ment managed as. in our opinion, it
should be managed: that there was no
more help in that department than was
necessary, and that the salaries were
reasonable and just.
''It has been said that l have been
in office long enough and should make
way for other deserving aspirants. I
am not here to dispute with any one
the worthiness fitness of any candi-
date who aSDireS to the office on which
my ambitions are fixed. There can be
no question raised that in this state,
famed throughout its history for its able
men, there are many Democrats worthy
and deserving who would fill with honor
70 the state and distinction to them
selves the executive chair Eight years
service as q public servant is a brief
span, and the experience derived during
those years would enable me the better
to meet the eXacting obligations the
chief executive is calling upon 10 as
sumo. AS to whether or not | have hon.
estly, consciously and faithfully dis
charged my duty as an official, my rec
ord Will disclose. AS a servant of my
party. | have always stood ready to obey
its commands. In 1909. at the request of
every Democratic nominee, the State
Central Committee selected me as chair
man of the Campaign Committee TO d-
rect the campaign that year. the result
of which was the very satisfactory ma
Jority of 1900 for Gov. Beckham and his
associates upon the ticket. Again, in
1904 | was chosen to manage the state
campaign, and the result was, as | have
stated to you before. a Democratic ma
jOrity of L GOO.
In making these statements I do not
wish to be understood as. arrogating to
myself the glory of that splendid victory,
for no>chairman ever had a more efficient
corps OF helpers than I had in my as
sociates, and in the 1000 loyal efficient
and tircless precinct committeeman who
aided nae in those contests.