The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1907-12-18
WEDNESDAY, DEC. IL, 1907.
INTEREST SUITS DISMISSED.

General Galen has dropped the suits
against the state treasurer and his
predecessors in Office, to In
terest paid on public funds, will not
surprise those who are familiar with
recent developments in the proceed.
ings. It has been rumored for som
time past that such action would be
taken by Mr.. Galen, who commenced
the suits over a year ago and who
has shown no disposition to bring
them to trial.
While the action OF the attorney
general in requesting the dismissal
Of these suits was not unexpected, it
10 none the less reprehensible. They
we're supposed to have been brought
in good faith, and in response to the
pledges of the political party that
elected him to Office. AS q public
official entrusted with the duty of pro.
tecting the interests of the people. Mr..
Galen was instructed by his party
platform to this effect:
"We are opposed to the use OF pub.
lie moneys for private gain, which is
forbidden by our constitution and by
public rights as we'll: and W demand
that all sums which may have been
obtained by private individuals out
Of the unlawful use of the public funds
be recovered for the state"
The excuse offered by MIR. Galen for
his failure to redeem the promise made
by his political party, will not satisfy
his constituency. The belief is preva-
lent that an honest effort to recover
interest upon public moneys would
have resulted favorably to the COM
monwealth. and the dismissal of the
cults at this stage of the proceedings
will leave the impression that the
states attorneylhas failed to give the
people OF Montana a square deal.
In explaining his reasons for re.
questing dismissal OF these suits. the
attorney general states that 1t wal
extremely difficult OF impossible tc
secure evidence that the state treas
urers had received interest upon pub
lie moneys. 1t is generally believed
however, that officials of banks II
which state funds have been deposited
could be called upon to testify an,
give all the Information desired. n,
effort in this direction, SO far a
known, was made.
II appears from Mr.. Galen's state
ment that he called upon the stat
examiner to procure the evidence de
sired, but that it was not forthcoming
AS the state examiner was formerl
state treasurer, and the defendant i
n Of the suits instituted by the a,
torney general, his alleged inabilit
10 furnish evidence in these cases wi
not surprise the public. What othe
result could be expected from a re
quest that a public official furnis
evidence which might reflect upo
himself?
Alleg atoms OF graft and dishonest
we're made against certain public O
6cisls in the complaint filed by tn
attorney general in these interest suits
The accused may have been innoce,
of wrong doing, or they may hav
been guilty of the offense charged
but the dismissal OF the suits leave
the truth OF the allegations undetel
mined.
The integrity OF certain public OIL
cials having been brought into que'
,ion by the filing of these suits, tt
presentation of any evidence thu
might be available was the only wa
in which the injustice Of the alleg;
lions could be proved. The failu,
OF the attorney general to bring tt
cases to trial will be regarded b
many as an evasion Of his duty as
public official, and disregard of II
promises made to the people at Il
time of his election to office.