The Tupelo journal., 1910-06-10
The Governor Replies.

ment IN reply to the inslnua
tons made by Vardaman and Hallam
in the Issue Of the II inst, that he had
stolen or done away with the
Vardaman contingent vouchers; and the
reply is about as strong as it could be
made, as will be manifest to all who
give it careful reading.
No self-respectine man could afford
TO rest under the imputation put upon
him by these men, and to remain silent
longer would have lent color to the
limitations that he really had some
thing to do with removing contingent
vouchers from the executive Office.
In his last paper, referring to the
contingent fund discussion, and in re-
ply to his critics, Vardaman said:
1T was accounted for as the law
directed. The vouchers or memoranda
we're in the Governors Office when l
left il. y The person who in
troduced that resolution knew that
these vouchers we're not there and also
knew that the memoranda was miss
ing"
In his article intimating, OF charging
by implication, that Gov. Noel had
stolen the much-wanted and badly
needed vouchers, Dr.. Hallam said:
There is one fact about the matter
of the contingent fund under Governor
Vardaman's administration that has
not been sufficiently made known, ii
made known to the people at all. That
is, that the vouchers covering the ex-
penditures under Vardaman were in
the custody of Governor Noel from the
time the last named gentleman was in
ausurated until some of them turned
up missing"
The Governors reply is printed in
full below:
During the latter part of the re-
c nj legislature a Joint resolution was
adopted, directing one of the standing
Joint committees upon whom the duty
rested, to make investigation and re-
port of expenditures of the executive
contingent fund, made during my ad-
ministration and that of my predeces-
sor. Until after its adoption by the
House. had never heard of the resolu-
ton, which was framed, | was told, as
a substitute, by one Of Governor Ward
aman's supporters, a legislator Of high
character. As | had always invited
rigid scrutiny of my official conduct,
- 20
neither felt, MOI expressed any dissatis-
faction at the measure.
The committee and Mr.. c. ]. Moore
the expert accountant. whom they en-
pIoyed, were referred to for any infor-
nation not clearly developed by the
itemized accounts which | had previous
ly submitted to the Legislature. to Mr..
W. J. Buck, who had been the private
secretary throughout my administration
and during the last IA months Of that
of my predecessor. AT the same time.
told the committee | was ready, at
any time, to 90 before them as to any
matter.
After several weeks OF dilisent
probing AMI the taking down by stem
osraphers of my testimony. that OF Mr..
J. K. Vardaman, Mr.. W. ]. Buck and
other witnesses, nothing was found
against my conduct or accounts except
mistake by which the State gained
81 at my expense.
Every or ,.er book stuS with TIE
original memoranda thereon. showing
the explanation, or failing of explana-
ton, Of the purpose for which execu-
tive contingent funds we're drawn,
from Governor Stones administration
till that time, was then, and is now in
the Office aad custody of the Cover
nor's private secretary; and also, as
Dir, Buck then testified, without con
tradietion every single voucher that
was left there by ny predecessor. Dur
ing my term the w~herease4ts Of these
vouchers which were kept in eae or
more of the hundreds OF Feeeptaeles
for papers in the private seefetafy's
Office, some of which he kept locked
with no key except in his possession
were uHknswH TO any one connected
with the Office, except M Buck, into
exclusive custody they were
kept until he listed and delivered them
to the expert accountant Of the commit
see, c. J. Moore.