The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1915-07-22
Bic SHORTAGE
Of OFFICIALS
IN COTTON co.
"FRENZlED FINANCE" AMOUNT
ING TO APPROXIMATELY $4,000
CHARGED TO SSloNERS
FOR BOND DEAL.

Williams directed the attorney gen
eral to investigate alleged heavy
shortages and discrepancies charged
to former officials of Cotton county by
a report returned by the state eN-
aminer and inspector. Total irregulari-
ties. according to the report, amounted
to Approximately $4,000. OF this sum
the greater portion is charged to the
old board of county commissioners,
retiring January l, one member OF
which was reelected and now is serv-
ing.
Action og the governor in ordering
the attorney general to investigate
conditions in Cotton county and take
what steps are necessary, followed
the receipt of complaints from citi-
zens of Walter, Cotton county, to the
effect that the present county attor-
ney refuses to institute suits for the
recovery of the money. The attorney
general was instructed to hasten his
inquiry, and he will be furnished on
Thursday morning with a copy of the
inspector and examiners report set
ting for the alleged Irregularities in
detail.
State Examiner and Inspector Fred
Parkinson produced the report We'd
nesday when asked for it. For sew
eral weeks it has been on file in his
office. but he withheld it pending ac-
ton by the county officials to recover
the money alleged to have been mis-
appropriated The inspection Of the
Cotton county records was made and
the report compiled by E. NJ. Ian
drum, one of Parkinsons deputies.
Date Far Back
According to the findings OF the IN
spector and examiner Irregularities in
the official business of Cotton county
were to be found back almost to the
time when the county was organized,
in 1912, and all the officers under
fire were the first to serve.
"Frenzied finance" is the term used
in the deputy's report in describing
methods of the board of county COM
missioners, composed of e. L. Mar
riott, c. b. Freeman and j. NJ. Hooper,
in floating an alleged illegal bond
issue for $11,55O to fund an illegal in
debtednes.r After issuing this So
called illegal bond issue, the commits
sioners. it is claimed, illegally paid a
bond broker of Oklahoma City $1,000
for selling the bonds.
When the bond broker first present
ed hisc lain 'for legal service the
commissioners rejected it, but wher
he instituted in the district court suit
for that amount, they instructed the
county attorney to agree to judgment
it is charged,
other Charges Made
Inc report lul llltl Nlltll SNo tllN NoA''
missioners with paying other allege'
Illegal claims without hesitation, an
also, with failing to pay some egitI
mate demands against the county. !
is alleged they illegally took $4,000
from the 1914-15 fund and paid illega
claims that arose in the fiscal year O
1914.
OF the old board of commissioner
only Marriott remains in office. Tn
other two members were not IT
elected
H. f. Trip, the former county a
.. torney, is charged in the report wit
charging illegal expenses to the coul
ty. 1t is claimed he made unnece'
sary trips to Oklahoma City and othe
places, and turned in expense account
for all money spent, to the count!
Moreover it is alleged. Trip appoin
ed deputies at various times withOU
giving any reason. One instance
cited where it is asserted, he appoin
ed a deputy county attorney who's
! only work was coming to Oklahom
City and lobbying at the legislature.
| Sheriff Accused, Too.
| illegal fees amounting to $1,000
| were paid to the sheriff and his dep
ties in the period covered by the il
vestigation, it is specifically charge
Other officials alleged to have a
cepted illegal fees from the county fC
their services, are the county superi
tendent of health, the county judg
the clerk of the county court Count
Treasurer G. c. Blackwood. AssessC
+. A. Shepherd and County Superi
tendent A. c. Woodward.
| Lon Morris is the present count
attorney. 1t is alleged by citizens wi
have complained to Governor W
liams that Morris persistently has r
fused to institute suit against the G
| ficials accused of wrongly disposir