The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-08-04
CAN NOT USE IT.
Col. L. B. Murdock Must Leave
Contingent Fund Alone.
Auditors Office Refuses to
Honor the Voucher.
OFFICE HAS NO MONEY
May Hold the Job But There Is
No Compensation.
Blunder of Legislature Can Not
Now Be Rectified.
OFFICE HAS NO MONEY

! Uncle Bent Murdoch must be salts
| ed with the honor of being Kansas fish
ard game warden He can draw no
money from the state no matter how
well he Performs his duties, neither
can he help himself to the governor
contingent fund, even if the governor
himself is willing. The state auditors
office has proven a wall that Col. Muir
dock can not get over even with the
assistance Of the state executive.
The legislature neglected to make
an appropriation of the thousands of
dollars received from hunting licenses
which have heretofore given the game
warden all the money he needed. Uncle
Bent knew this when he accepted the
office but Governor Stubs, with the
magnanimity which caracteriZes him,
told the ElDOrado editor that he would
find a way to pay him even If he had
to use money out of his sacred con-
tlngent fund. This satisfied the follow
Ell of Isaac Walton and he became a
state officer. The state fish hatchery
at Pratt was turned over to Murdoch
and he decided at once that he liked his
job.
Last week he came to Topeka. 1t was
time for the redemption OF the pledge
and besides he needed the money. lie
called on Governor Stubs and prepar-
ed a small voucher as ''feeIer. This
ne presented to Mr.. w. r. DAVIS, as
sistant state auditor. He called atten-
ton to the fast that there is over 80
coo in the state treasury which belongs
to the state sh and game department.
THAT is true" replied Mr.. Davis, but
unfortunately the legislature neglected
to make an appropriation.
But pleaded the state game war
den, 81 do not think that an approprla-
ton is necessary. I understand that no
appropriation was made two years ago;
Then Mr.. Davis got down the book
of laws and showed the colonel that
the law provides that the money must
be appropriated before it can be used.
He also read to him the bill that
was passed two years ago making
the necessary appropriation.
The lord of the hunters was dis
couraged. Then am I to understand
that the game law is to be allowed to
go to pot?" he asked. There can
be no game wardens if there is no
money to pay them and if there are
no wardens to enforce the law no one
will get licenses and the whole thing
will be a fizzle.'' z-ess
THAT may be true" replied Davis,
but it is not the fault of the audit
Or's office. You should have seen that
the appropriation was made"
Then Colonel Murdoch left the Of
flee but he is interchangeable and he
did not give up the quest. He saw
Governor Stubs and Attorney Cen
eraI jackson and it was not long I'M
til he was back in the auditors Of |
flee with another voucher. This was |
drawn by Mr.. Stubs on the COVER |
nor's contingent fund and was for
$1,000 Ito make needed repairs at |
the state fish hatchery"
Mr.. Davis glanced at the voucher
and said that he would see about |
it. He did see about it. The result !
was that Colonel Murdoch was told |
that the governors contingent fund !
could not be used in any such man |
ner and that the law did not con- |
template any such diversion of the |
funds of the executive office.
Again Colonel Murdoch reported |
the failure of his mission to the gov |
ernor but there was nothing more |
to be done and the state fish and !
game warden went back to Eldorado |
saying things under his breath. If |
any one cares to know just how the |
colonel feels about the matter he can
satisfy his curiosity by interviewing
him. But it is safe proposition
that the Kansas game warden won't
work very hard at his job until the
meets again.