The Monticellonian. [volume] (Monticello, Ark.) 1870-1920, 1915-04-29
PROCLAMATION IS
ISSUED By HAYS
WILL PROCEED WITH INVEST
CATION AUTHORIZED BY LAST
GENERAL ASSEMBLY.
ALLEGED SHORTAGE DENIED
Replace One Not Recorded,
Says Geo. B. Cook.
Little Rock

Little Rock
simultaneously with the issuing OF
proclamation by Governor Hays au-
thorizing the Legislative investigation
committee to continue its probe of
the state departments and permitting
the expenditure of $1,000 for the pur-
pose. state officials against whom the
committee had reported Irregularities
issued statements denying all of the
charges and claiming that the scom-
mittee was unfair in its work.
w B. Owens, chairman of the state
highway commission, against whom
the committee filed a supplementary
report charging further extravaganza
and irregularities since the first inves-
tigation of his departments was made,
denied the charges and added that the
committee was playing a cheap form
OF politics.
George B. Cook, state superintend.
ent OF public instruction, against whom
the committee made serious charges
In a statment filed with Governor
Hays, denied all the charges made
against him. Ray Gill, deputy super
iLtendent, made a statement in which
he claimed that the committee had
persistently refused to let any off
Gals of the department come before
it for a hearing. He substantiated
Mr.. Cooks statement Mr.. Cook said
the alleged shortage of $1,050 in his
accounts was compiled from blank
stubs of certificates issued. The GER
tifcates to teach were issued, he said,
TO replace others that had not been
recorded, so that the records of the
Office would be complete. and no
Charge was made for them He denied
having any connection with a Mime
apolis concern that made school sup
plies He said he had once been elect
ed vice president. of land company
with which some of the officials of
the supply company had been con-
nected but that he had refused to ac-
cept the office.
Governors Proclamation.
The governors proclamation fol-
lows:
Know all men by these presents:
Whereas, the Fortieth General AS
sembly of the State of Arkansas at
its 1915 session passed resolution
authorizing the continuation of a COM
mittee composed of Senator Geo. w
Garrett and Honorables u. A. Gentry
and Monroe Smith, who were mem
bers of said session of the General As
sembly, to audit the state depart
izing them to employ such help as
necessary for the purpose of carrying
out the provisions of said resolution;
and,
Whereas, said committee was un-
able to complete it's work within the
90 days prescribed by the constitution,
after the adjournment of said session
of the General Assembly; and,
Whereas, the committee in at
tempting to carry out the purposes for
which it was appointed, after the ex-
piration of said 20 days, the auditor
of state was enjoined from issuing
warrants covering the per diem of
said members of the Legislature and
the employees assisting in carrying on
said work. said injunction being sus-
tanned by the chancery court of Pu-
laski County and affirmed by the Su-
preme Court; and,
Whereas, 1t appears form the let
ter signed by the members of the
committee, there exists an emers ency
iustifying the issuance of a proclama-
ton authorizing said committee to
proceed with its work. which is in
keeping with the intention of the Leg
islature and the spirit and letter OF
said resolution, said letter being in
words and figures as follows, to-wit:
Nov therefore, |, George W. Hays.
governor of the State of Arkansas, by
virtue of the authority vested in me
by act pa of the acts of 1913 of the
State of Arkansas, do hereby declare
that an emergency exists, such as is
contemplated by said act, and do here
by authorize the expenditure of ST.
geo or so much thereof as may be nee
essary for the continuation of said
work by said committee vouchers to
be issued and signed by the commit.
tee.
In testimony whereof I have here
unto set my hand and caused to be af-
fixed the great seal of the State of
Arkansas on this the 23d day of April,
A. D., 1915"