The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-03-22
WHAT WAS DONE
County Commissioners Give
Out a Statement.
Charge That Clerk Thomas
Did Not Act Fairly.
He RESISTED THE AUDIT
Say That He Has Overcharged
LitigantS.
VIII Continue Investigation of
His Office.

More charges were today made
against the record of Richard L.
Thomas, when the county commission
ers officially adopted a lengthy type
written document for publication in
Topekd newspapers. The resignation
of Thomas was sent to Judge Dana
Thursday afternoon and a new clerk
was appointed this morning. At the
same time, members of the county
board were preparing this statement,
which was given to the newspapers at
the noon adjournment:
Last July a general audit of all
county offices was commenced under
the orders and direction of the board
of county commissioners. The move
was taken in pursuance of what SEEM
ed to the board in line Of good bust
ness and the best interests of the
county. While nearly all offices have
been checked by the auditors, reports
have only been received on the office
of register of deeds and clerk of the
district court. Both Mr.. S. ]. Hodgins,
ex-reg1Ster,- and Mr. r. F. Tasker, the
present register, expressed their ap-
proval and satisfaction of the audit
by giving the auditors every assistance
possible and by promptly paying the
small sums found to be due the coun-
ty. We regret to say, however, that
Mr.. Thomas has pursued a course
which has constantly embarrassed him.
and forced him to resign his office a
few days in advance of the time set
for the hearing of custer suit in the
supreme court.
''At no time since the audit COM
menced has the board engaged in any
sort of ugly controversy with Mr..
Thomas, notwithstanding his many
charges that the board was doing him
an injustice, accusing him wrongfully,
and seeking to further their own po
lit1cal fortunes by making goat of
him. Nothing could be farther from
the truth.
mo man in Shawnee county has
had greater personal following, and
the board has been impressed with the
feeling that host of people were Civ '
ing him sympathy and comfort, and !
at the same time have unjustly and |
viciously attacked the board to spare |
Mr.. Thomas, so instead of adding to |
our political fortunes, if politics en-
tered into the proposition at all, the |
prejudice has been against the board |
And answering the many charges
made by Mr.. Thomas we make the !
following statements and assertions /
covering the entire history of the |
audit, insofar as his Office is con-
cerned.
The Commissioners Statement
Il. When the auditor asked for his
cash books, he said he had not kept |
cash books, but admitted to the board |
that it was a careless way of conduct
ing the affairs of the office, and be-
ginning July 1, 1911, cash books would
be kept showing receipts of the office.
When it was discovered to a certain
ty that he had kept q complete sys-
tenn of cash books and he was threat
ened with a mandamus suit by the
county attorney, the cash books were
delivered, and then 1t was discovered
ledger. We have pictures of the mutt
lated books if any one cares to see
them.
seq. There had never been a dispute
BOARD over the division of the fees
earned in the office, because Mr..
Thomas had never been before the
board to discuss his alleged interpreta-
news of the board on the subject. On /
he other hand Mr.. Thomas had prac- i
iced a plan of deception by frequent I
V stating to certain members of the
,oard that the earnings of the office
'n1y paid him fair salary of 50, 500
o $4,000. after allowing $4,000 for I
Jerk hire and assistance as provided
" law. Mr.. Thomas usually made
heSe statements in connection with
equests for certain supplies which he
bought should be furnished by the
ounty. Never until an audit was be-
ng discussed did Mr.. Thomas ever pay
Ie never made reports of any kind n
n compliance with plain provisions of r
he 20 law; 1y,a audit had NOT proceeded a a
ar WnGH MI. 1AOIHdS OlLSISu " pay | .
bout $4,000 in settlement of his in n
ebtedness, but upon advice of the t.
oard the money was not rendered to p
he county treasurer, because all the
oard wanted was an honest settle n
nent of the amount due, and if the f
ounty owed Mr.. Thomas as he assert a
d. we wanted to pay it. On the first b
ay of September. 1911, Mr.. Thomas a
before the board in company
With a brother and offered to pay
bout $4,000 in full settlement. This
ffer was rejected.
''4. About that time Mr. Thomas pub
shed an opinion given by close per- u
onal friend, and one of the best law
ers in the state, to the effect that
Dr. Thomas was wrong in his alleged
of the law, and advised
i'm to settle with the county. Mr.. 7
1homas stated that up to that time I
i,o rna+tn,- had hnnr, IL, disn11te hut h.e y