Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1915-03-07
By Vote of 26 to 9, Senate Rejects His Appointment
 to Charity Board,
FORMER EMPLOYES
 FILE MANY CHARGES
Old Unice-hOlder Accused di Numerous OiicnNes ny Men Who He Declares Ire "SOre" Because He Did Net
 "Carr" for Them.


 night refused to divulge results of the all day proceedings for confirma- ton of gubernotorial appointees, out everywhere is heard the report that 9 majority had declined to confirm l.. l.. Coffman, appointed Thursday to serve two years as q member of the ucWly-created board Cf control for the state charitable institutions. Former State Auditor Coifman admits he has information which leads him to oe- z lieve 26 members voted against his confirmation, with nine supporting him. He states h9 is further inform cd that Senator l.. C. Going changed from his side 10 the opposition ln order to be in parliamentary posi- ton to ask reconsideration Monday morning.
 Suborlinates Make Charges.
 lnccnsed over what they consider cd ingratitude on the part Of Golf man. his former employees in the state auditors office are reported to have filed charges against him With the senate. o. s. Reff's name appears upon a copy of charges filed. Rein is warrant clerk in the office of the state auditor He charges that Audi tor Coffman conducted a brokerage business in state warrants, acting through his son. that he forced his employees to contribute to his cam paign fund. and later undertook to suborn perjury when it appeared as though the grand jury was going to investigate, by giving his note to Rieff for money advanced by him, tO make it appear the money was re- paid. with instructions as to how he (Reiff) should testify.
 Long in StatellOuse.
 Mr. Coffman was appointed depu- tv in the office of John M. Oathout, after serving several terms as land commissioner. deputy state treasurer and secretary of the state capitol commission When Auditor Oathout died, Coffnlan was appointed to sue ceed him by Acting Governor Futrall. The appointment was based largely on sentiment, because Auditor Oathout requested it. with the understanding that Mrs Oathout's brother, w. s. McAmos, of Bonneville, be appointed deputy, that he might use his salary to pay campaign debts left by the de- ceased auditor.
 When the term of Auditor O9thOut expired, Coffman was candidate for the office, being opposed by Henry s. Mccain, who had been insurance conn., missioner in his office Mccain in his campaign used letter which he claimed passed between Coffman and a St. Louis insurance company, show ing that Coffman had been employed as representative of the company in Arkansas, with $125 monthly office expenses. and he had written the com pany to pay the money to his son as long as he was employed as insurance commissioner in the office of the audi tor. These letters Mccain, who is now an aldermen in Little Rock, states he placed in the hands of 8 senator for presentation in the senate today. It is not denied that MT. Mccain, as well as Charles Cunningham, also former insurance commissioner under Auditor Coffman, appeared at the sen ate chamber today to testify. Messrs. Reiff, McAmos and other employees or the state auditors office were also ln attendance, but none was called be- fore the senate.
 Coffman Denies Charges. Mir. Coffman tonight stated he had been unable to get before the sen9te to give his side of the question, but classified the charges filed against him as falsehoods. MT. Coffman stat ed tonight:
 "I did borrow $100 from o. s. Reiff for campaign expenses, and I gave him my note for it. He demanded the money when the note was due. and paid it. I gave McAmos my note for s132, and it is not yet due. I could not pay it, for I did not have the money. I have never dealt in state warrants, though my son has pur- chased some in which I have had no interest. I am blamed by my former employees with ingratitude in leaving office without providing for them. could not control the office after I re- signed though my successor did agree to keep all but one, and to arrange for him elsewhere. Rieff wanted to be auditor, and is sore because could not swing the appointment for him."
 Pledge All to Secrecy. ] The investigation by the senate was