The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1916-10-27
STATE REPUBLICANS RESENT TT

| One of the most impudent pieces
of effrontery with which the people
of Idaho have ever been confronted,
is to be found in the address which
the present governor of Idaho, thru
The mistaken impression OF its people
as to his honesty Of purpose, Is reed
ing out to the multitude. This raise
God is to be found in his allusion
to the Allen defalcation, and the
steps that have been taken to punish
the guilty parties and to recover for
the state treasury the money taken.
A statement of the facts, as they
are shown by the court and other
records might we'll be scanned by
every citizen of the state. The atten-
ton of the voter is called to such
statement.
During the fall campaign Of 1914,
it was discovered that o. V. Allen,
state treasurer for number Of years,
was a defaulter in a large amount.
Governor Haines, a Republican, caus-
ed his arrest and at once removed
him from office. He had been nom
mated to succeed himself, and the
Republican state committee declared
a vacancy and nominated the present
state treasurer, Hon. John w.
Eagleson, for that position. He was
elected. Allen being brought before
the court, pleaded guilty to the in
formation charging him with fell
ony. Fred M. Coleman, his deputy
when the offenses were committed,
also pleaded guilty and was given a
penitentiary sentence. This all oc-
Cured under Governor Haines.
An investigation of the affairs of
the office was at once instituted, and
it was discovered prior to the close
of the Haines' administration that
the defalcation would reach the pri-
mary sum of something in excess of
$4,000. Governor Haines and ad-
visers feeling that other lawless acts
had been committed, continued the
investigation of the affairs of the Of
flee, such investigation being in prog
ress when the change of administra-
ton occurred and Governor Alexand-
er took the oath of office.
Finally, principally thru the eff
forts of the attorney generals office,
Coleman, who had been the principal
AAOIA ulACAI Ill lAdhlAo pOoolpAC CAO
footing of the treasury, offered to
give the state valuable information
as to other wrongdoing in the hand
ling Estate funds and particularly
in connection with the sale of state
bonds and the manipulation of state
In this way the claim that
could be urged against the bonding
was enlarged to the amount
which was later recovered.
The state depository board Of
which the governor is but one mem
Der (the other two being Republi-
cans) early in the present year reach
ed the conclusion that all had been
learned that could be, and it was
decided to begin suit against the
surety company upon the bond Of
Allen as treasurer. At the instance
of the governor more than any one
else Che having expressed the COM
plete confidence in his integrity and
ability T. G. Coffin, who had been
employed by the attorney
general was again given employment
to assist in the prosecution of this
case.
The case was prosecuted to sue
cessful issue, judgment in the full
amount asked for, together with in
terest, was granted, and has now
Oeen paid 1t is matter of common
knowledge among those in posi-
lion to know that exactly the same
course would have been pursued by
he two Republican members of the
state depository board, even tho Gov
ernor Alexander should have opposed
hem.
His statement that the Republican
legislature, the Republican organiza-
ion, Republican members of the
state depository board or any one
else was at any time in favor of
$4,000, or any other sum,
ess than the full amount filched
rom the state by Allen and Coleman,
s false. The giving out of such a
statement should brand Alexander
Ind those who copy it with know
edge of the facts as bad citizens
md dishonest men.
REPUBLICAN STATE CENTRAL
COMMITTEE.