The copper era and Morenci leader., 1912-02-09
Editorial Page
THE CONTEMPT CASE AGAINST AUDITOR SANDERS


 AGAINST AUDITOR SANDERS
 That there is vicious animus behind the attempt made Monday last, in local Justice Court, to pei A. employed by the three largest tax payers Greenlee County county auditor, to quit his position was plainly manifested when Justice Moder that jail sentence for contempt of be his lot if he failed to read the hand writing the wall
 When E. A. Sanders recently bound to await the action of the grand jury charge of altering in the office of the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors the conclusion natural that the matter would go into the courts for final settlement
 On that charge the Era and is of the opinion that no crime been committed within the meaning statutes when MT Sanders acting in the capaci ty of County Auditor changed certain segregations Clerk of the Board by transposng the items column to another. Before felony can be be performed with felonious in tent wifuy alter mutilate steal public record territory under statutes, but there combination of wrong intent and evil design coupled with the act to within the meaning of our The District Attorney of the County however places different construction upon the statute and as the prosecuting officer of county that the defendant be held to await the action of the grand jury, which done a. The arrest MT. Sanders upon this charge, fol lowing close the heels of the decision of Judge Lewis .niandamus proceedings, giving MT. Sanders right inspect the records of the Board (after he been denied them for the of mak ing audit) had the of act of retalia ton because, the auditor has been and is persona with the Board, the Clerk and tain other county officials
 At the time MT Sanders arraigned excessive bonds the sum of nine thousand dollars de manded and there disposition manifested at that time to throw defendant jail without giving him opportunity bondsmen Since the arraignment of MT. Sanders the charge of altering the records several weeks have elapsed when the Justice of the Peace is suddenly mbued with the idea that he has been 'contempted" and summons the defendant into his court with jail commitment already prepared and in his inside pocket.
 And to show the animus and the motive n the proceedings the defendant is given the alternative of resignng his position Auditor for the taxpayers.
 n his street opinions and decisions the Justice let the the bag His outraged feelings be notified everything will be alright provided the performance of his duties empoye of the big mining companies of Greenee coun- ty
 By his own remarks Justice Moder stands con vcted of being party to the plan to force the resigna tion of MT. SandersAor land him in jail.
 The thought by what authority does the Jus tice Clifton precinct demand the resigna ton of empoye three of the largest taxpayers of penalty of the alleged contempt of his court?
 By what authority does the Justice of the Peace hold contempt proceedings the head of repre- sentative of these who seek to inform them selves regarding the expenditure of public funds?
 By what authority does the Justice of the Peace threaten MT Sanders the street with a sentence which will cause him misery and in the next breath de that he give up honorable pesition?
 Under what section of the Statutes does the Jus the Peace Clifton constitute himself the Judge who shall shall have the right to of this county for the purpose of making inspection and audit of public records?
 The whole proceedings remind of the incl dent where Justice of the Peace sentenced man to