The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1918-12-24
COUNTY ATTORNEY
DENIES THAT HI:
AUDITED THE BILLS
MAKES COMPLETE REPLY TO
CHARGES BY BEN
STEPHENS.
. Hardy, county attorney, has

\. J. Hardy, county attorney, has
authorized the following publication
in reply to implied charges made in
answer OF Ben Stephens, former
commissioner
"On last Saturday Mr.. Ben Ste
phens fled his answer to charges
OF maadministratlon and gross neg
lect and admits under oath that he
is ignorant, reckless, careless and
neglected to attend to the duties of
his office as Commissioner. and al
leges further that he was not re-
sponsible for his official acts, be-
cause of certain advice from other
county officials, the presumption is
man will use his head for other
purposes, except upon which to
hang his hat, but it seems accord
ing to Mr.. Stephens story he had
only one purpose in view, was to re-
fleet on other officials of the coun-
ty, but he was not willing to sub
stantiatc the allegations of his an
swer to the custer proceedings, as to
ceratin alleged advice given him by
them, but he knew before he filed
the answer that he would not under
take to furnish proof OF the allega-
tons therein contained, but only
filed it for the express purpose OF
reflecting on other officials, and
shadowing his own acts connected
with his duties as county commis-
siouer.
Even before he filed the answer he
persuaded Judge Freeman to with
draw the order suspending him from
office, and upon the filing of his
answer stated therein he had no
OF proving the same, but
had wired the governor his resigna-
tion as county commissioner there
by admitting he could not make
such proof, as set out in his answer
to the custer proceedings filed
against him, but as soon as he filed
his answer reflecting upon other
county officials, Immediately saved
from being put out OF office
for his official acts connected with
his duties as county commissioner.
Mr.. Stephens made the charges
in his answer that | approved the
claim of bessie Harris, s. II. Har-
rrs, Jim Carter, Jack Shaw and c.
{. Baker for the evtra help and
ovcrcharges against the county. The
records do not disclose these facts,
but on the contrary show they were
passed by the board, without my
or signature to said claims.
/ had no knowledge OF such claims
against the county. until they were
by the examiner and in
,pector. All claims approved by |
me against the county have my sig !
nature across the bottom OF each OF
Them. and the records will disclose |
heSe facts. The claims referred to
can be had upon demand from the F.
examiner and Inspector who is hers
checking county records.
There is no claim mentioned in I.
he custer proceedings against Mr.. I.
stephens that was approved or au-
horized by me and the records will F,
show this to be true. The grand /
Jury now in session knows whether
1r not Mr.. Stephens has done any
wrong connected with the county.
md ali OF their findings will be pub
ished when the Investigations are
1t appears strange that
/ Mr.. Stephens can remember any
wrong advice that | have given him
Is county attorney, he would with
lold that from the grand jury. but
would go before that body and dis
lose this information. so the grand