The Prescott daily news., 1915-02-20
AUDITOR REFUSfS
 TO ISSUE WARRANTS
Resolution Passed by Senate Order Ing bOllie Reiff BefOr Senate on Contempt Charge-Claim
 Was Not Itemized.

Arkansas Senate was the Davenport resolution ordering the sergeant at arms to bring Deputy State Auditor Ollie Rieff before the Senate to an .sWer a contempt proceedings thereby brought against him for refusing to issue a warrant ordered in favor of Senators W. D. Davenport, Geo. w. Wagner and Thos F. Toler covering their expenses to Fayetteville and re- turn, as the Senate end of the Uni versity of Arkansas Investigating com mittee.
 When the resolution was introduced Senator Davenport, usually the most calm and one of the most dignified members of the Senate, arose to state that the action of the Deputy Auditor in refusing the issue the warrant. af- ter the Senate had adopted a resolu- tion making the appropriation, was diSrespectful to the Senate, as well as an insinuation against the honesty of VhN NiII ~ oOIlctIOi D. llt dCllletllutu llidI Deputy Auditor Reiff be brought be- fore the Senate and asked to explain why he had declined to honor the war rant. Senator Davenport stated that the page had three times carried the warrant to the office of the Auditor, each time being sent back with some reason for not honoring it. one of which was that it was not itemized, and the last trip made back by the page was a hasty retreat following a rather emphatic expression from the Deputy Auditor.
 At this point Senator Futrell was granted the floor to pour oil on the troubled waters. He suggested that the justification for the action sought under the resolution was apparently prSent, but that he doubted if it was the proper way to proceed. Senator Futrell called attention to the fact that the Deputy Auditor is a consti- tutional officer and was of the opinion that impeachment proceedings would
 1e proper. He counseled against haste until the Senate was sure it was right, and then proceed with all speed possible.
 Temporarily disposing of the mat ter, after Senator Wagner had eX- pressed his feelings, and Senator Tol- CT had stated that he would have ig- nored the insult and given an item ized statement, but since the resolu- ton was in he desired to see it push ed, though in the right manner. Pres ident Lundy named a committee com- posed of Senators Futrell Davenport and Going to sift the problem and recommend a course of procedure.
 It was stated in defense of the deputy Auditor, after the Senate had adjourned. that it was illegal to is- sue warrants on unitemized vouchers.
 The warrant in question was for .S55.45, covering the expenses of the three Senators and a stenographer on the visiting trip. The Senators turn ed in their expenses in lump sum, as has ben customary, and one voucher was issued for it all, authorized by resolution adopted by the Senate.
 After this display of ginger, the Senate rocked along a short time, House bills and getting them in shape for passage on the next House day, until Senator J. Monroe Smith arose to the full extent of his : feet ?, assuming a dignitied pose, and being recognized, stated in stem torian tones:-
 "For the peace and health of every Senator, and for the welfare and dig nity of the people of our great state move that we now adjourn until Monday morning at 9 o'clock"
 The roll was called but the work horse Senators were so far out-vcted that they smiled in relief to see that they would not be reTi ed 10 work lcnger.
 One bill was passed Friday after noon by the Senate, abolishing the office of road commissioner in Qua chita county. Other House bills of varied interest were read, and left on the calendar or shunted off to a com mittee. the Craighead county officers salary bill going to the Agriculture
 ..:44oo. +bo Craurford cOuntV lO-