Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1915-01-14
COMMITTEE APPOINTED IN HOUSE
TO INVESTIGATE SHORTAGE
/ IN TREAsURER's OFFICE
BILLS FOR S new COUNTIES
Governor Alexander's Message Favor
ably Received-Few Criticisms---
Legislature Organized for Work.

The affairs at the state capitol are
commanding unusual interest through
out the state this year for several
reasons, one of which is the scandal
growing out the treasury discrepan-
cies, and the other is the very apparent
need of not only tax reform but reform
in every sense of the word. But as one
correspondent states: "Candor compeis
the statement that the old administra-
tion passed out under cloud while the
new one came in under favorable aus
pices. /"
The first step taken down at Boise
| by Governor Alexander was to force the
publication of the Ramstedt report OF
the rotteness in the state treasurer's
office. This report was withheld from
the public by Governor Haines and his
advisers and when revealed caused cons
formation in republican ranks, and has
aroused the public as never before.
To Be Legislative Inquiry.
The CONSERVATION in republican ranks
is indicated by the extreme haste with
which they jump to save their reputa-
tion, and Monday the republicans in
the house introduced a resolution that o
committee of seven be appointed by the
speaker, and that this body be directed.
to make thorough and complete in
vestigation of the office Of the state
treasury and all other departments Of
the state into which the scandal has
crept. The committee is authorized to
issue subpoenaes and enforce testimony
by contempt proceedings if necessary.
Committee Appointed.
The committee was appointed by the
speaker, and the speaker being repub-
lican, the personnel of the seven, was
five republicans and two democrats.
The anxiety OF the republicans to show
great willingness to investigate is evil
denced, and the practieability of the
committee and its efforts is questioned
and criticized on the ground that the
grand jury is conducting very vigor-
GUS investigation, and that the pro-
ceedings of the legislative inquisitors
would to great extent hamper and in
= terfere with the grand jury investga-
ton. The grand jury has already had
returns and has returned several in
dictments, SO the inve stigators win be
left few combings perhaps if they are
I diligent.
l. Governors Message Convincing.
"Nora Marks writing in the Lew
iston Tribune states from Boise that
Governor Alexander's message has
made decidedly good impression, and
early comment is favorable. So little
criticism is heard, says that correspon.
, dent, that little fear is being expressed
that the state departments win be Grip
pied or retarded in their work by q
: too close trimming for the people are
. reconciled to the idea Of erring en- thil
side after their experience of reeenf
- years the other way. Another CORES
pondent states that the need for ia,
reduction, and the obviously apparen
~ need for certain reforms is having it
effect. the democrats attempting to out
=. line policies in harmony with ahe COVER
:. nor, while the republicans are schem
:. - ing to accomplish the economy gener
ally without giving the governor
chance to claim the credit.
ip. Connor Satisfies as Speaker.
of A great deal of satisfaction is bein
be expressed in the election of A. I'll. Coz
I'M nor of Standpoint as speaker Of th
asst house, being northern man, the ele'
eir tion being denominated victory II
vas the united north Idaho sections. He
of a strong dry man, and is said to be
ire, corporation man. Some even see hop
1 full visions in his election, of breal
nan ing away from Norman influence in Il
E southwest, but the hope seems vain +
,am John w. Hart of Menan was elected r
oys publican floor leader In the senate, th'
the gentleman being a Norman, and. Z" No.
Marks, in Sunday s Tribune STAG
Continued on page Sd