The Sauk Centre herald. (Sauk Centre, Stearns County, Minn.) 1886-current, 1916-02-10

Mr.. Smith will be subject to Surve1l-
lance, County Attorney O'Brien as
serted.
efforts will be made to substan-
tate Pickitt's allegations and to prove
the truth or falsity of his assertions"
the county attorney said. eve can
not take his word alone, but must
have further proof before beginning
action against any one else"
The evidence in the hands of the
county attorney together with what
additional information that can be OBJ
tanned, will be laid before the Ram
sey county grand jury.
The solving of the mystery sur
rounding the cashing Of the $4,000
forged Aitkin county school district
warrant and the demand by Fred B.
Snyder, president of the board OF re-
gents and of the state investment
board, that Mr.. Smith should resign
were the two chief sensations.
The state officials at the investment
board meeting included Governor
Burnquist, Mr.. Preus and Mr.. Steven
son, and they were not prepared fol
Mr.. Snyder's radical demand which
caused a decided stir.
at seems to me the state treasurer
should resign before being asked" ne
told the board.
Mr.. Preus suggested that the board
could take no action until it had hearc
Treasurer Smiths version Of the at
fair. The state officials have not yet
obtained a recital from Mr.. Smith.
Mr.. Snyder said that Governor
Burnquist might have the power tt
ask for the treasurer's resignation, but
was informed by the governor that
complaint must be filed by some citi
zen charging malfeasance in office.
In the event that such complaint i:
filed the governor will appoint a com
mission to take evidence and deter
mine if such complaint can be sup
ported. Upon the findings of the com
mission would depend whatever &C
ton Governor Burnquist could take
The facts uncovered during the IN
vestigation were placed before thu
board bv Mr.. Preus and corroboratet
by Mr.. Stevenson.
Pickett failed to disclose in his con
LESSONS what was done with the mon
ey, but it is rumored that it was uset
in playing the stock market.
"The period of his operations ha'
covered two years." Mr.. O'Brien said
Full restitution for the amounts ap
propriated by Pickett was made by hi
relatives.
Pickett has been in the employ o:
the auditors office about five years
coming here from Fergus Falls. He Il
a relative of the late DR.. A. B. Cole
prominent in state politics and a for
mer candidate for governor agains
John A. Johnson.
st. Paul, Feb. Or. c. Pickett wa
arrested and arraigned this morning
in police court, charged with having
forged $4,000 worth of warrants. HI
entered no plea and the case wa
continued until Feb. 16 at 9 a. m
Pickitt had no attorneys or no bail
so he was taken back to jail.
C. w. Wells, chief Of detectives, an
nounced this morning that Walter }
Smith, state treasurer, would be ar
rested as soon as his condition war
ranted it. The house where Smith il
i'll was watched last night by a force
of detectives.
AS there is a possibility that Mr.
Smith may either resign or be re
moved from office, it is said that thu
governor is considering other candi
dates for the office, among whom arr
j. H. Cooling of Rochester and H. c
Henke of Minneapolis.
Pickett is said to have fallen pre-!
to the white lights and pleasure o:
the city. He drew a salary of $3.50 :
month as clerk of the investment
board, and it was noticed by hi!
friends that he seemed to be spending
more than his salary would seem t.
permit.
George LaFond spent part Of to
day with Mr.. Smith.
st. Paul, Feb. 9.-The books in thu