Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1907-09-22
4 BRsi.s i.EyIEA oT
THE CASE OF Mii. BrRsUM

The facts leading up 60 the action N,
Silver city yesterday by which Judge
Parker confirms a report holding the
territory indebted 60 Bursun In the
sum of S4,333.66 In the adjudication
of his accounts as superintendent OF
the New Mexico penitentiary, are
thoroughly familiar TO the vast ma
jority of the people OF New Mexico
who read the newspapers. In connec-
ton with yesterdays action. however.
IA h interesting to recall them briefly.
shortly after n. j. Hagerman became
governor of New Mexico, the resigna-
tion of n. o. Bursum as superintend-
ent of the New Mexico penitentiary.
position he had held for some seven
years, occurred. The resignation was
understood to have been at the re-
quest Of the governor
Shortly thereafter the governor
caused an investigation 10 be made
into the financial records Of the peni-
tentiary and Francis r.. Mcmahon
representing the Colorado Guarantee
and Trust company of Colorado
Springs. a registered accountant. was
employed to make the investigation.
Mcmahon was engaged for several
weeks in making the report and when
Il was returned, the expert alleged
that there was a large shortage in the
accounts of the prison as Administered
by Bursum, that books and records p
were missing and that accounts which
had been paid in TO the prison man
agement had not been entered on the
books To the credit OF the territory.
Prior to the investigation Bursum had
returned TO the territorial treasury
the sum OF 800. which he stated had
been retained 10 his credit by error Ia
and later the sum ~
s 600 was returned under practically
the same condition.
Upon the evidence furnished bv Nc
Mahon. In his report the then attnr-
nev general. Captain ". G. Reid. made
, formal demand on Bursum FOR the
-cturn NJ something more than f2.o0o
20 the territorial treasury. wh'
was held hv the territorial officials
7ursum was short Rursum re-
urned the sum demanded. reserving
lis legal rights.
During the session ~ the last iegis-
aturc law was passed allowing for
he adjudication ~ accounts Of public
.fncars aud providing for the appoint
aent of a rrferee In such cases. t'n-
FT NhNa Jaw fNNt@MiN nlWNAnN "Ntf ANf
~ adjudication In the Third judicial
istrict court and Charles V Sanord.
he territorial travelling auditor ana
ecretary of the republican rentrai
ommitiee. was appointed 10 make the
cport. Sanord held hearings and ef-
pr considerable time. presented ~
he court . renart In which he held
hat instead - Rursum owing 'he
srritorv money. the territory owed
'u~snu, the sum ~ sf2a3ss as re-
MI nf settlement 90 his accounts
s -uneriutendeut ~ the priFnn. IN
ludinv tho amount which bursnm
ad refnrned ~ she territorial treaH-
y. o~ demand ~ the t"rritnrV
tn thfs ra~eft fba fNen afinTm~v
aneraf. gea~re " prichari Win
paeisf Assizfanf Attorney G-n"r'l
-s.,si,, Nrrrsrc arfir~ Win hiffi. ~re-
.nt.d n .s-ie1 - ehie-finne rnf p
- u-,,,, th.e. atfarfinr- fhef -
- ,.i-.- wee hea e, sIiea~ rii. 'sef--
- re-,,rinc IN ronhrminE ere 80
'~-'s fanerf
7-s,a ta--i..,.-. -tfin~ 81 tNA r--
- ....s. 81 .he NTn-~i~- tesse~af
- -t-4f r,.s. =, ~o~frsf - fer~r
-~.,.fa-- a-s -eAef ~ 49, fa.-fs~
..io., hv he terFiierv = ,a<<H<. D
4 known - =.