The Boise citizen. (Boise, Idaho) 1906-1910, 1909-03-19
TALKS OF LEGISLATURE
SENATOR KERNS GIVES INTERVIEW DEALING
WITH STATE AFFAIRS and SCANDALS

The Wallace Times following interview with State
Senator Kerns of the bright minority members of the recent
legislative session
State Senator A. c. Kerns returned yesterday from Boise where
he has been the legislature just Mr. Kerns
fahered number of important bills prof
part the fight between the minority thirteen
waged on several big questions.
The discovery the state house. when was
found that decidedly csh financial where much in vogue
among the officials who had the handling funds and
steps taken the legislature evils is told by Senator
Kerns in the following interview
I'VE very well satisfied with work investigating the
affairs of found there matters not
ing conducted accordance belief of the people
sng abuses We found that every having authority to
collect state dues carrying bank his name with
money.
he register Of the land board during two years deposited in
the bank his and without security the
neghborood of $25000OO The officials deposited smaller
porpoonate to the they collected We prepared
the Legislature passed bill requiring every official to immediate
y deposited with the all their possession
under their CONTROL and requiring hereafter daily
deposit all state coming into their hands with the
Another law enacted requiring the
post the banks qualified repositories of state money and the
credit of the all dues coming possession
Our examination of the office disclosed the
when drafts checks other money by treasurer
they deposited the bank and the Immediately credited
the amount to the individual By this practice the
state deprived of both security and interest that money until
give state the benefit of the
that rghtuy should paid day the
pos.
We busy make as thorough an
investigation would have liked But the
nation sufficient learn the abuse
necessary put end the practices Our investigation
disclosed the fact that the permanent educational fund
the sale OF timber land and school lands being
and benefit of that fund but being used by
ration for handling the states affairs Large
Of this fund held from investment in order take up
instead of being permanent interest
bearing United States and school district bonds and loans
The committee having charge of the investigation prepared and
the legislature passed bill requiring to
these permanent securities for the benefit of the school fund
The investigation also disclosed the fact Of the grosse neg
gence the handling public school land that
has been cooperating with Senator Hepburn
light preserve these school lands and make them yield the greatest
of money the permanent school fund We the
BOARD had violation of the constitution and laws pretended give
the general government than 200 900
belonging absolutely lying within forest re-
and that the land board properly enforcing right
he select public lands forest where
pped for the survey the land prior the of
eserve.
About 100000 acres Of state common were in
eopardy To this condition affairs Judiciary committee
prepared and the legislature passed joint resolution declaring
erng the states title and ownership every section
granted by congress heretofore law
Of the and the land board every proceeding necessary
0 establish the states title and RICH o his land.
The investigation showed that the land board had direct
oaion the and laws sold the states school
Sc per without advertising bids and with
making any record in the land Office Of this pretended
introduced adopted directing attorney general
take the necessary proceedings aside these
Some one has set up Biiken god Of things
4t.