The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1912-07-15
AGG|E BOARD
INVITES IN
VEST|CAT|0N
AGRICULTURAL BOARD RE-
PLY TO CAMPBELL RUSSELL
CHARGE OF GRAFT

Members OF the Oklahoma state
board OF agriculture say that they
are not only willing but anxious. for
their department TO be investigated
as has been requested by Campoeli
Russell. They also state that the
only instance they know OF where
an employe has committed "irregn-
larities" was in the Instance OF
Campben Russell himself. And they
also ask that a fun investigation
be given the circulating and fling
OF the Campbell Russell and Akin
initiated bills.
Their statement in fun is as fol-
lows
The members OF the board OF
agriculture have no objection 10 an
investigation desired 10 De made.
We have been too busy TO pay at
tention TO any of the erratic charges
OF Csmpbeu Russell. who has for
more than twelve months Kept the
press and the mails teeming with
abuse while we have conducted the
affairs committed TO us faithfully in
the Interests OF the people.
II. such an investigation would
lend In the, least 10 satisfy Russell
aud the gang OF politicians who are
giving him financial backing, the
quicker the investigation is made
and over the more IL Will please US
and the better II will be for the peo-
pie whom we are trying TO serve. II
Russell had really desired an inyes-
4. 4. - a
press his suit again Prof. j. ST.
Murray, president of the district az
ricultural school located at Warner,
after he had made false affidayits
before the courts OF Muskogee coun-
ty. for such a trial would have
brought out all the facts contained
in his sReclfJe charge,
His failure in this instance
would lead any man of logical mind
TO conclude that Russell cares moth
ing for an investigation but merely
wants additional opportunity for
notoriety, and TO exploit his spleen
against members of this BOARD be-
( csuse they refused TO elect him sec
retary OF the board about a year
Gii0 q AaAA dSOf q ljOcAN4Oh III " ntIu
he was totally unified, and unquali-
fed TO fill
We are not acquainted with all
the charges referred to by Governor
Cruce in his order TO the attorney
general. but we presume they are
the same charges which Russell pre-
sented 10 the grand jury of Oklaho-
ma county and we're dismissed BY
the grand jury for want of evidence
10 sustain them.
We trust that Russell Will not
fail 70 appear when this inyestiga-
tion is had before the attorney gen
erai as he did against Pror. Murray
IN Muskogee county and thus have
the investigation over so that Rus
eel may quit playing TO the galleries
and exploiting his spleen to the dis
gust OF patient and long suffering
public.
"As 10 investigating an "irregu-
iarity OF the employees OF the board
we know OF none except the trans
action OF Campbell Russell himself
while serving some two years aso
as superintendent OF the demonstra-
fion farm of the board when he.
Campbell Russell, bought of himself
seventy bushels of wheat s14O
per bushel while the market price
OF wheat at that time was only IS
cents per bushel, and as such SUI
Rerintendent ahet purchased .1b40
pounds OF Kafir corn OF O. II. Hyde
Of Alya, Okla, the school land
lessee lobbyist. at 1896 per bushel
III, we have any employees now
committing Irregularities we want
TO know Of them and they, TOO. like
Russell will be given an opportunity
70 exploit their spleen and seek no
toriety as has been the case with
Russell.
And we desire also TO request
the governor 10 direct the attorney
general TO investigate before the
grand jury Of Oklahoma in any
county the forging OF names upon
initiative petitions and the fraud in
connection with the oDtaining OF
signatures and the fling of Campbell
Russelis bill and the Akin bill
ms we ask in the interest of the
initiative and referendum law. VIC
lated in these two instanc ces-an
one to display personal spleen, and
IN the other to destroy the educa-
tlonal institutions OF Oklahoma.
We repeat again, we want these
Investigations now, and over-con-
seious of the rectitude of our own
cause, we want the people to know
the inside facts.
(Signed) j c. ELLIOTT,
20 A. BREWER.
Members Oklahoma State Board of