The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1920-07-23
SALT LAKE HAS
AN EMBEzLER


Edmund A. Book, VINO today re-
signed as mayor of Salt City after
confessing that as city auditor, a
position he formerly held, he had
embezzled n excess of $4,000
gave himself up for arrest this af-
ternoon.
Mr.. Book appeared at the home
of Sheriff John S. Corless and asked
that he be'taken into custody. Pres
ent at the time were the sheriff,
Prosecuting Attorney Hartley and
City Attorney Folland
Mr.. Book explained that he wish
ed to answer for everything he had
done, He admitted he had violated
the law He had earlier in the day
attempted to surrender to deputy
sheriff, but his arrest had been re-
fused because no charge had been
filed against him
The former mayor said his great
est ambition now is to outlive the
stigma he had placed upon his name
and the disgrace he had brought his
family
The scene was tense and brief, but
most dramatic. Immediately ar
rangements were made to fix bail.
So the People May Know
Edmund A, Book. whom the city
honored few months ago by elect
ing him mayor, has confessed that
while he filled the position of city
auditor he embezzled city funds.
The sum involved is in excess of
$4,000.
Mr.. Book has made restitution.
He has resigned as mayor. He has
done what it is in his power to do
to right the wrong he has done.
These are extenuating circumstances,
but the slate is not wiped clean.
The law says that a man who en-
bezzles money is guilty of crime.
For this crime he should be taken
into the courts and his guilt de-
termined and punishment imposed
as the statutes provide.
When a citizen has been honored
and placed in position of trust and
then betrays the trust his guilt is
morally greater than if he occupied
a private position. Mr. Book has be-
trayed a public trust
Mr.. Book, however, has gone even
further. Knowing that he was an
embezzler, coguizant Of the fact that
his defalcation would some time be
discovered, he yet brazenly stood be-
fore the people of Salt Lake City
as candidate for the highest hon
or in their gift. He asked the conf
dence of the people; he knew he was
not worthy of their confidence. He
asked to be trusted to direct the
municipal affairs; he knew he could
not be trusted. He asked to be
honored by the citizenry; he knew
he did not deserve the honor.
Sympathy goes to Mr.. Book, as it
goes to all men who fall because
of weakness. But the sympathy
must be tinged with the feeling that
liz has brought disgrace upon the
city as we'll as upon himself. His
offense has been made doubly odi.
Gus by the brazenry with which he
deceived the voters Of the city.
Under the circumstances the city
authorities must do their duty. Mr..
Book must be made to face the law,
as would any other lesser offender
against the law. II is not for the
city officials to pass judgment. Their
duty is to place the matter before
the prosecuting attorney to the end
that full justice may be had. There
can be no alternative, for equivoca-
tion will mean that the city authori-
ties are condoning Mr.. Books crime
and shielding him from the law.
Such action would mean that they
would themselves become guilty as
co-conspirators, and the citys dis
grace is sufficiently great without
adding an admission of weakness on
the part of the remaining city Off
cials.
There are we'll defined rumors
that other shortages will develop. A
thorough investigation should be