The Montgomery tribune., 1910-09-02

claim at ChQlicothe was spent Tor
meals at restaurant there. The fact
that Republican committee meeting
was being held at Chillicothe on the
day Of Mr.. James visit there may
have prejudiced his claim for Sc ex-
penses. Mr.. James obtained from Mr.,
Phillips, merchant at Bowdry Cut, a
receipt for So paid him (by James) for
meals and assistance in official duties
and also testimonial that doubtless
removed all doubt in the auditors
mind as to accommodations furnished
travellers at that wide place in the
road" and as to what good citizens
who know Mr.. James think of him.
The auditor allowed only so cents OF
this item of $500, however
The auditor has finally paid all but
$40 of the expense account filed by
Mr.. James, and for $3.50 of that
amount Mr.. James has filed receipts
as valid as any travelling man could
present for money expended. For the
balance he cannot well obtain receipts
for it was spent for meals, and other
expenses incident to travel-such ex-
travelling expense accounts without
vouchers but verified by the oath OF
! the, claimant. If the auditor does not
| pay this balance the game fund will
have ten dollars more than it Is enti-
| tied to and poor man will lose it.
| The taxpayers will derive no benefit
| whatever and that much boasted prun-
| ing knife of the auditor will bear
| rusty spot on its shining surface.
| Democratic papers that have been,
asserting with emphasis that the aud
itor has been using his pruning knife
| on the accounts of the game and fish
| commissioners department are re-
| minded of the fact that Mr. Tolerton
does not deny that he spent $4,000
last year and $4,000 the first six
months of this year in propagating
and protecting game and fish. In Or
| der that the public may know to what
extent the auditor has used his prun-
ing knife on the accounts presented
by Mr.. Tolerton and his deputies 1t 10
stated that of $4,000 in claims filed
less than $25 remains unpaid, includ-
ing the $40 withheld from Mr.. James
(for $3.50 of which valid receipts were
presented). 1t is not admitted by Mr..
Tolerton that the auditor had any
right to shave these accounts. They
are such as any reputable business
house would be glad to allow and pay
a travelling representative. The only
lust criticism concerning the account
of Mr.. James is that his original
sworn statement was not itemized as
fully as it ought to have been,
amounts paid for help and other Incl
arated from payments made specif-
ically for hotel expenses.
Out of the $4,000 expended by Mr..
Tolerton $4,000 was spent for equip,
ping a game farm--the best game
farm operated by any state in the
Union, and the only one ever estaD
lished in Missouri. When he took
charge Of the department there was
balance of only $749S in $he game
and fish fund and there was no office
furniture, printing or supplies avail
able for the use of the department
The old law, which had been enacted
by Democratic legislature, had be
come notoriously ineffective and game
and fish protection was a farce. All
of his expenditures have been PAID
from the game and fish fund provided
for by the law of 1908. Not a dollar
in that fund comes from taxation. II
is created by money derived from
hunting licenses. The people who like
to hunt and fish and desire that game
and fish be protected and propagateC
in order that the sport may be en-
joyed in the state pay into the treas
, ury the money with which the depart
ment is sustained That they have
, been paying this money generously II
, shown by the fact that the expenses
, | of a rigid enforcement of the game
, and fish laws have been met, gam'
farm established, and that the funt
will show a balance of about $4,000
v over all expenditures when the legis
. lature meets next winter. Those wh'
only beneficiaries of the good worl
| done by the game and fish depart
! ment. The propagation of insectiv
q orous birds and the protection o
:. game are of great value to the farm
ers, fruit growers and citizens genel
o ally. The bird is our savior fror
4 many pests of the air and contrib
: utor to the safety of crops, trees an
shrubs.
: The time has come when citizen
4 who believe in the protection an
v propagation of game should resent tn
. malicious statements about the gam
!, and fish department now indulged fo
r political purposes by Democrat
d newspapers and approved by desig1
O ing Democratic politicians.