The river press., 1911-02-08
WANT A SQUARE DEAL.
Stockmen Urge Legislature To Probe
Estray Fund Scandal.

commissioners, with particular refer
ence to- the receipts and disburse-
ments of the estray fund, was urged
upon the twelfth legislative assembly
at a meeting of Chouteau county
stocknen held at the court house
Wednesday evening. The action al
ready taken by the legislative assem-
bly, was warmly commended, but in
view of an alleged disposition in some
quarters to defeat the purpose of the
inquiry, it was the opinion of the
stockmen that adequate provision
should be made for conducting the
investig alton to the fullest extent
necessary to protect the interests of
Montana stockmen, for whom the state
board acts in the capacity of trustee.
The meeting was organized by the
election of Charles II. Green as chair
man, and W. K. Harber as secretary,
aud an informal discussion of the
estray fund scandal and other matters
disclosed the fact that cause for COM
plant had existed for several years.
Representative stockmen from the
Milk river country, Bear Paw noun
tains, Shonkin and other. parts of the
county took part in the discussion.
It appears to have been the experience
of many stockmen that it was difficult,
and sometimes impossible, to recover
money for cattle shipped as estrays,
the returns for which. in the usual
course Of business, were remitted to
the secretary of the state board of
stock commissioners.
It was finally moved and carried
that a committee on resolutions be
appointed, and Messrs. Browne, Kre-
mer, Patterson and Stranahan were
named as such committee by the chair.
After a brief recess, the resolutions
committee reported as follows:
Whereas, the stockmen of northern
Montana have for a number of years
been greatly dissatisfied with the con-
duct of the Office of the secretary OF
the state board of stock commission
ers; and
Whereas, they have individually
and through their representatives in
the state legislature sought in vain to
have their grievances redressed and
such misconduct corrected; and
Whereas, it now develops that about
$40, 900, and probably more than that
amount, has been embezzled or stolen
from said Office by means of hundreds
of offenses, only one of which has been
prosecuted;
Now therefore, we, the stockmen OF
northern Montana in mass meeting
assembled, do hereby condemn the
Indifference to our interests and the
inactivity shown in the past by those
who were required to insure the proper
discharge of the duties pertaining to
the Office of secretary of said state
board of stock commissioners, and
the protection and security of the
funds in his care. Be it further
Resolved, that the action of the at
torney general in permitting trusted
employe of the state board of stock
commissioners to plead guilty to 9
small fractional part of his defalca
tions, and consenting to the imposi
tion of a penalty that was travest,
upon justice, was dereliction of duty
that deserves the most severe con
demn alton. AS public officials whose
oath of Office requires them to enforct
the law without fear or favor, we re
gret that personal friendship for I
confessed criminal should outweigh
their regard for the best interests O
Montana stockmen and others affected
by such proceedings.
Resolved, that we commend the &C
tion of the twelfth assembly in author
izing an investigation of the affairs o
the state board of stock commission
ers, and we would urge that adequate
provision be made for the expenses
necessarily incident to such undertak
ing, to the end that exact justice b.
done to all parties concerned; and b.
it further
, Resolved, that copies of these reso
lutions be transmitted to the governo
of Montana, members of the twelftl
, assembly, and to the public press.
, In view of rumors rejecting upol
persons who are alleged to have ha'
criminal knowledge of embezzlcment
from the estray fund, several stock
men expressed the belief that a thor
ough investigation is necessary in tina
connection, as we'll as for the purpos
of recovering as much of the loot a
? possible.
j, Sedentary habits, lack of outdoo
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