The Brinkley argus., 1907-04-19
AN OPEN LETTER.
Prosecuting Attorney Rho- fen Rebuked..HOn0r of Charitable InStitu-
 tions Defended.
Brinkley. Ark. April 18th, 1907 Louis Rhoton,

Brinkley, Ark. April 18th, 1907.
 Louis Rhoton,
 Little Rock, Ark.
 Sir.
 On the 9th nst.. wrote and mail- cd you a iei,et as follows:
 Hon. Louis Rhoton.
 Pros. Attorney.
 Little Rock. Ark. My DEAR SIR:
 notice in the Gazette Of 7th inst, the following question which you propounded to Ex-Senator McFerrin. in the case Of State vs A. w. Coying- ton: And didn't you collect that $500 as chairman of that comittee and know at the time that there was an arrangement made by the Board to skin the state out of 5 500; that they were going to let contract for S7.5Oo on its face when It was only 10 cost So.OOO and wern't you in collision with the board or some members of the board, to divide up that sl,5oo9
 was a member Of the board Of trustees of state charitable institutions and 1 never heard that a single member of the board ever profited 10 the amount of one cent. out Of any contract awarded to any party or to my corporation: 1 never heard that any member of the board made a cent out of his office. except the amount due him as prescribed by law. which was $500 per day for the time h. was looking after the interests of the institution and hi, mileage. The question you propounded casts grave | reflection upon the board and upon each member thereof; if 1t be true that any member of our board even went so far as to intimate th7t he would use his influence, for pay. 10 obtain contract for any purpose. from any one. it should be published, if he went SC far as to take pay for his influence in securing contract for any one. he should be in the peniten- tiary. have the highest esteem for each member of the board and l could not question the integrity oi either one ot them, even when differed from them on matters requiring the ex- penditure of money for the institutions. l cannot think that either one of them undertook to skin the state out of Sl.5OO or any other sum on the heat ing contract or any other contract. If you have information to the effect that either member of our board was guilty of such an offense. hope that you will give it all the publicity possible. and will use your office 10 cring such | 2 member 10 justice. On the other hand, you should not cast stigma upon the actions of any person. who is guilty of no crime or unfair dealings. It grieved me to read the base accu- sation. inferred from the question above mentioned and hope you will see proper to make a correction, in print. where it will have the same | publicity as the question had If one Of the members has been guilty of wrong doing. please mention his name h such questions and do not refer to all the board when such question is psopounded.
 In these days os graft, people who occupy places of trust should not hesitate b have all their actions in vestigatcd thoroughly. and would take pleasure in inviting a full investi- eation of every detail connected with the management of the charitable in ambitions, while was a member Q the hoard of trustees. and l feel tha each msmb desires such an investi yaticn. To make the investigation not reflection upon us, out to mak tas charge which you made. by infer e5e.. is reflection which should no \ 20 unchallenged.
 Please let me hsar irom you