The Nevada County picayune., 1912-09-20

as clerk to the Arkansas Tax tom 1 mission, has given rise to some very spirited official correspondence which has uB to the present time escaped the attention Of the public
 MT. Griffin on August addressed a communication to Gov. Donaghey, ten dering through him his resignation, and giving at length his reasons therefor. The principal court was that David A. Gates. one of tho com missioners, Lad forced him and the secretary, A. C. Martiaeau, to agree to pay out of their salaries $l00 for the payment of a salary to his son, Stanley NJ. Gates This, he declared, appeared to him "the Yiiest species of graft" which he .belieFed to be act ionable under the laws of the state"
 August 3, on the eve of his de parture for Seagirt, Gov. Donaghey replied briefly that he had no iurisdic. ton in the matter, adding: As chief executive of the state it is my duty to see as far as possible that every one gets fair deal. My inter. est in all matters is, first to see that the state gets square deal and, second that all Individuals and em- ployes are treated fairly"
 Governor Disappo.nts Griffin.
 h reply, Mir. Griffin says that the governors letter 'is very grave disappointment to him." He said his statement had been made as an offic- ia, and not as mere individual, and that as such te had expected an ad- iustment of the matters, T now say frankly, said he in conclusion, that there is only one course left open for me and that is an appeal to the public"
 The next chapter was written by commissioner Gates August 6, when he addressed communication GOV ering thirteen typewriter pages, to the governor. going into detail i'll eX planation Of the transaction Of which Mir. Griffin had complained, aud as sertins that Mir. Griffin was thorough iY inefficient. incompetent and un- trustworthy in clerical capacity NIT. Gates concluded with the fol- lowing:
 There are two acts of mine con neeted with Griffin's employment by the commission for which 1 ought to be censured. First. 1 should not have voted for him for the place originally. believing him to he incompetent. and second. I should not have consented to his continuing in the employ of the state after 1t was demonstrated that he was wholly incompetent and could not as clerk cam ten per cent of the salary the state was pay ing him"
 Mr. Griffin's Grievance.
 Going more into detail as to his grievances, to the end that he might appeal to the masses of his fellow >c0untrymen of Arkansas for iustifica- -tion," MT. Griffin says the clerEship was rendered him in January t9ll, without his solicitation. and that he was assured if he would withdraw from the race for chief clerk Of the house, and accept it, the position would be permanent al least through the administration. The salary was then si00 per month, which the leg isiature then in session raised to $lo0.
 The governor vetoed the item in the appropriation for the stenographer' $ salary. Griffin alleges that Commits sioner Gates complained that the commission must have a stenograph' CT, and that the raises made by the Legislature in the salaries of secre- tary and clerk were excessive; and that he further made the demand that the secretary and the clera would have to make good the salary Of the stenographer for five months at Si00 month" Griffin further alleges that Gates demanded that he and Martineau should pay his son, s NJ. Gates. out Of their salaries, $500 for five months work, which would enable the commission to employ the necessary stenographer. They finally agreed to furnish Si00. the other si00 to be raised on rebates on mileaS credentials. They hoped the legisla- turc would refund this amount to them. The banks refused to help them, as the commission would not guarantee the claims. Griffin paid according 10 his statement, $53.5o, and Martineau $200
 Demands Were Humilating.
 This left balance Of $l3G.5o, says Griffin, "that am yet supposed to pay into the contingent fuad of the commission to make good the amount drawn therefrom which was raid to the stenographer. after we had accepted the conditions Of the demands. This you must appreciate has been very humillatins and ealou' lated to render one unfit for the best of service, yet with all this, I have tried 10 do my duty at all times and with that submissiyeness that I felt n subordinate should respect his su'