The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1909-04-05
RUGBY oPTlMtST
COMM ENTs ON THE
SMELLING REPORT

Rugby Optimist: The report Of the
| legislative smelling committee has at
last been handed in. The report is too
long to admit of publication In its en-
tirety by this paper, but succinctly
stated, grievous faults have been ex-
posed in nearly all of the state Offices,
| including the offices of secretary Of
state, state treasurer superintendent
of public instruction. and commissioner
OF agriculture and labor. Regarding
the secretary of state, however, the re-
port says. in conclusions 1--WE have
checked up all monies received by the
secretary of state for the biennial
| period ending June 80, 1908, and find
| that the correct amount has been COW
cred into the state treasury"
The main trouble in the secretary of
states Office seems to be the habit of
| paying a rather high price for supplies.
| In conclusion the committee compli-
ments the secretary for the decided re-
forms that have been instituted in the
keeping Of the records of supplies fur
nished the state. since he has had
charge of the office.
| AS to the office OF superintendent of
public instruction, the committee re-
| ports in detail as to the amount of
fees received, and II appears that Su-
perintendent Stockwell has in his pos
session something over $4,000 belong
ing to the state, which he has collected
in fees ard failed to turn over to the
treasurer, which he claims belongs 10
| him as part of the emoluments of
the office The committee, however,
quotes the following: Section 81 of
the constitution of North Dakota, pro-
vides that the salaries of governor,
| lieutenant governor, secretary of state,
auditor, treasurer, superintendent of
public instruction, commissioner of in
surance. commissioners of railroads,
and attorney general shall not be in
creased or diminished during the period
| for which they shall have been elected,
and all fees and profits arising from
any of the said offices shall be covered
J into the state treasury" The commit
| tee fails to express it's opinion as to
| the Culpability of Mr.. Stockwell, APP
parently leaving II to those who read
| the report to form their own opinion
In view OF the fact however, that the
constitution, as above quoted, express
| ly provides that the salaries of the
! above named officers be fixed by law
and shall not be raised or lowered
during the period for which they were
elected, 1t is hard to understand where
| Stockwell bases his authority for this
| outrageous fee grab, out of which he
| has paid the expenses OF his wife and
personal friends, as well as purchased
| "StockwelI medals" for oratorical and
| other educational contests. The SUI
perintendent, however, feels that the
bare disclosure Of the figures to the
public calls for some sort Of an ex-
PLANTATION, and makes quite lengthy
statement in defense of his action.
Among other things, he states that
| certain checks issued by himself in
1908 and 1904 cannot be found, al
though he has looked carefully in his
desk at Grafton for the same. He also
says that Mrs. w. l.. StockweH has
read continuously since the March,
1903, examinations, etc." and that ''her
compensation was taken care, of by
me, and am not now able TO say what
checks were given to her for reading
services and what for general house
hold expenses" Further he says: 1T
is a matter of sincere regret that a
better accounting cannot be made now,
shall welcome any adjudication which
may settle for all time this question:
Serious disclosures were also made
as to the manner of the conduct of
the state treasurer's office, although
nothing was disclosed relating to any
fraudulent transactions as connected
with the First National bank of Rugby,
as was so earnestly hoped and con-
f1dently predicted by certain wise ones.
The bank at Barton was mentioned.
however, as having received at one
\ time more than its share OF state
money. There is no question but that
the Office of state treasurer. the most
important of all the state Offices. to
the taxpayers; should be safeguarded
in such q way as to absolutely prevent
the loss through speculation or careless
ness of any OF the state funds and it is
hoped that the severe arraignment
given 1t by this committee will have
the desired effect.