The Morning Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Okla.) 1919-1927, 1921-04-02

CHARGES AGAINST rIE GOVERNOR
The charges preferred by tho house invcsti-
eating committee against Gov. James -. A. Rob
ortson are the mos serious that have been pre-
rcrred against any state offloinl Not because
they are against the highest official OF the
state. but because Of their very nature ana the
detailed manner In which they are presented.
It l. asserting an admitted truth To say that the
pablo mind has long been prepared to accept
such charges. Because for months prominent
fellow state official member Of the same parti-
fan organization. has boon circulating the state
with charges pgains the executive OF the gravcst
character ana these charges have gone un-
answered 10 far az The governor was concerned
So that IN q Iumcntably large measure the find
irga Of the hour, iuvestigatuE committee are
corrobora,Ivc of the things charged by Camp
bcu Russell. More than a year ago. when Rus-
selrs charges were being made with tho most
dnmn.ng detail The world said that either he
should be proven u liar and run out OF the
gate or the governor should resign from Of
flee And tho signrcanco OF the governors
failure to hale him into a court OF competent
jurisdiction and there force him TO present his
proof, made tremendous Impression on tho
public.
Not only docs tho house committee report
disclose most lamcntablc condition existing
IN the executive office with reference to par
dons. but II indirectly at least suggests that
fast growing bank account totalng something
over $4,000 In little more than a year
known income Of only $4,000 may have influ-
onced executive clcmency toward convicted
criminals This in IN line with the Russell
charges.
But the house committee report does not stop
here. Its further findings, as presented to the
legislature, cong;itutcs a charge that there has
been crimnality In the state banking depart
mcnt resulting In fees from which the gov
ernor was beneficiary to the extent OF precisely
9S ia per cent indicating thrce-way cut, and
hrouslng the widest curiosity concerning the
distribution Of the remaining GO 2-3 per cent.
The house report presents a detailed state
ment OF the deposits 10 the governors personal
bank account during the period covered at-
fording him instant opportunity to explain
10 the state and tho legislature IN" source from
whence these monies came and thus scatter
confusion among his critics. whether he viii
seize the opportunity thus afforded him romalns
to be determined. but his failure to demand vim
dicstion from the Oft repeated Russell charges
does not permit 10 express the belief that
he will be any more vigilant in this case.
Fairness requires the explanation that the cvl-
dence, with refercnto to this bank account, 10
circumstautlnl; that II Is possible for tho gov
ernor TO show that his money came from per
missable sources Another house report stated
that he was. (and probably is yet) business
associate OF Ben Green, former Lieutenant Of
william ]. Creekmore IN the Illicit liquor busi-
ness. II is possible that this relationship has
been productive OF great wealth In n legitimate
\.
mand a most thorough investigation or fails to
offer evidence in competent court concerning
the source Of this bank account he Is entitled to
a presumption OF innocence.
As much, however cannot be said touching
the charge that he has been the Ereatcst OBJ
s,ructor OF law enforcement and Justice in the
state His record of 1900 acts Of oemenoy dur
ing his three-year lncumbency Of the chief mag
istracy may in all fairness TO him be accepted as
reasonable proof Of the charge made.
II is difficult TO how the governor can
longer remain out ot court. lie IL now ohal-
lenged to clear his reputation. Nor can II ho
said that tho charges made against him. or the
suspicion which he labors under Is confined To
partisan factions The most serious charges
made were first made by democratic officials
and suspicion is even more rampant among
democrats than republicans
II the governor does not soe IN 20 go inrn a
court OF competent jurisdiction and with oyt.
dence Of unim peac enable nature dlsprove the
charges IL Is difficult 20 discover how he can
avoid the one alternative, resignation Of his
high office. The peoplo OF Oklahoma and their
substantiaI interests are entitled to some con
eideraton.