Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1913-12-13
That "Bl00n,in" Graf...2, 554.79

this paper Is convened when II comes to tax.
lodging . .. WIN the bunch Of hot air
artists Of the Tribune the state auditors Office
or the executive offices, accept our challenge?
They will not
The above from the Devils Lake Journal editor.
Brave words-chestiy enuncated--but so far as
the latter part Of the quotation is concerned Bloom
fully inaccurate and enthusiastically nlendacious
and, far as the governor is concerned sound
cause for congratulations by all honest citizens to
Athe chief executive for the enemies he has made in
his efforts to repair the damage Of Democratic mis-
rule. In order that this may be accomplished it is
absolutely necessary that all who are employed by,
the state who hold contracts with the state shall
deal honestly and fairly by the state.
It is not intention to follow the journal in its
paretic maunderings about "mush water" knives
and forks, etc. nor to do more than to express
regret that the Bloom school of journalism considers
1t effective to Bowery ncknames in referring to
prominent citizens and leading public men,
1t is. however. matter of public interest and one
which should properly influence the people in arriving
at just conclusion, for them to know what manner
Of men these are who hold up chosen officers to
derision and endeavor to place them in an unfavor.
able light before the public. The testimony of con.
victed thief should not be given the same weight
that Of a man in good standing in the community.
Protestation Of morality from man caught red
handed in an attempt to collect an overcharge of
thousands OF dollars from the state should be received
with more than the proverbial grain Of salt espe-
cialy when these protestatons are made in an en-
deavor to besmirch the character Of the peoples
chosen representatives and others well and honor
ably known in commercial and social circles
This brings us at to case in point, directly
affecting Bloom ct AL and intended by us to be read
and with no
graph.
On August 81 the Journal Publishing company by
j. n. Bloom, its manager, presented to the state
bill for printing binding etc, of House Journals in
the sum OF $lO,92S.49 The claim duly iemzed,
each detail Of the work being mentioned and priced
and carried out to the total named so that there can
be possible doubt but that the attempt to collect
this amount deliberate and in no manner the
result OF careless calculation or clerical error Tho
charge was deemed eXorbitant and was not allowed.
Later, printing experts We're consulted the claims
were carefully scrutinzed. with the result that on
November 49, another bill presented for the same
work-this time through subordinate, whose exact
position with the Journal Publishing Co. is not speci-
fed-in the sum of ss,ss579, at which amount the
claim was approved. So that the whole transaction
may be understood at a glance and he who runs may
read, the following tabulation is given:
Bloom attempts to collect by his own
sworn statement and personal sigma.
ture OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. $10,92S.49
The bill is finally approved, as pre-
scented by a subordinate of Bloom at 93S570
Net graft lost to Bloom ....... 1920
On August 81 the Journal company, by Bloom,
its manager presented another bill printing the
Senate Journals in the OF SS,245.31 itemized in
the same manner as that for the House Journals.
This, ALSO was deemed to be excessive and the state
experts again got to work, with the result that
subordinate again came to the rescue with reduced
claim for $7,2S322 The tabulation shows as follows
Bloom attempts to collect by his own
sworn statement and personal sigma
tare Ss,24ool
The bill is finally approved, as pre-
scented BY subordinate Of Bloom at. 1892
Net graft lost to Bloom ,....... 962.o9
Grand net result:
saved TO the state by experts and lost
to Bloom
Graft on House Journals. 81 59270
Graft on Senate Journals. $1,000
Total ....... y. ...s.,..... s25547e
# The above examples are but two out OF many that
could BE cited with the positive and irrefutabe