Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1913-02-16
GRUCE' 5 D. K. On
ATTORNEY 5 FEES
GONERNOR PAID OUT Si5.OOO TO
tRItE GILBERT a STJART
lT \prE\RN.
GRANDFATHER" Defense


OKLAHOMA CITY, Feb li.-(spo-
cau) 1t develops now that the gov
crnor paid out }l5.oooo0 for special
services to the firm Of Cucr Stuart *
Gilbert for the defense Of election Of
hccrs indicted in Blaine county for
enforcing the provisions OF the grand
father clause.
These election officers were indicted
more than two years ago, and the
last legislature. passed an act, appro-
printing $l5 10000 for special attor-
rcy fcp This was done at the request
or the governor, and the bill was
passed with the understanding that
the attorney general AT that time,
could not attend TO the cases.
II was kell known that the contin-
gent fund Of the governor was OK
haustcd and that no money would be
available from the state treasury until
June 1918. Appeals were made to
democrats all over the state to contrib
ute money TO the firm of Cruce, Stu
art q Gilbert and were met with
prompt responses. Just how much
money Is contributed by individuals is
not known. but a conservative e"ti-
mate would be 10000.
In April 1911, almost Immediate
ly after the passage of the bill appro-
priating money for special counsel, C.
b. stuart made a requiston on the
state treasurer for $4,000 for special
attorney fees. This reQuisition is
marked, Approved for $500, Lee
Cruce. Governor" and bears ON its
face the statement that the moneys
to be paid should be paid ont Of the
contingent fund OF the governors Of
flee
In about ten days after the orig
ina reqnisition for the entire $4,000
was made, and whore only one half
Of it was approved. there was another
! requisition for $500, which was APP
proved and paid to the firm of Cruce,
Stuart & Gilbert.
Taking into consideration the pop
ular subscriptions made by the DEM
ocrats all over the state, and the spe-
cial appropriation. the firm of Cruce,
Stuart & Gilbert have received more
than $25.OOO for dues that they should
have been glad to do as patriotic and
party service Cruce. mentioned in
this connection, Is a brother Of tho
governor and appears. not only in
this transaction as a special counsel
lor for the governor, but has also Gp.
It, ha Of a
gravel steal, and the leases of the
school land to the Pollard Hagan OIL
company and F. NJ Morland always
with a preferential right to a fat fee.
1t is contended by c. Il. Stuart. OF
the firm of Cruce. Stuart & Gilbert
that the money paid for the defense
of the grandfather cases. two years in
advance, was necessary. but no eXpla-
nation has been made and no final
statement furnished as TO what be-
came Of the fund contributed voluntar
lily by the democrats throughout this
state, nor has any explanation been
made as 10 the urgency for paying
this money twenty-seven months be-
fore the appropriation was available
incidentally, It may be said that tho
resignation OF Leo Meyer and the dis
missal Of the impeachment charges
against him We're largely due to the
fact that he had a record Of certain
things connected with the disbursa-
mcnt Of the contingent fund in the
governors office which, az Artemus
Ward would say, "m.kcs mighty good
reading"