The call of the North. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1923-1924, 1923-09-28


one thing for the majority to do-go
with him.
Walton's first act which threw
down the wrath of his supporters was
his action in the Agricultural and
Mechanical college presidency. He
had promised to make George Wilson,
an Oklahoma school teacher, presi-
dent of the college. He did not keep
his promise. Farmers and labor del
egates called on him and forced him
to make the appointment. Later, he
fired Wilson.
The Leader, on July rs, announced
it was through with him, quoting
Browning's "The Lost Leader
"Just for a handful of silver he left
u.s." etc.
Banking Situation Bad
The banking situation in the state
had been in bad way and depositors
had lost millions in failures and liqui-
dations under state bank managers
who looted and fled the state. The
farmers and labor group had the gov
ernor appoint Joe Strain, in whose
honesty everyone believed. Strain
took Office. He found an attorney
asking $4,000 fee for services in a
small bank liquidation. Then Strain
was fired. E. T. Byrum was put in
as bank commissioner, although he
had had no other experience in
finance than managing Waltou's po-
litical campaign in Tulsa. The state
banking law states that the commits
sioners must have had five years
banking experience.
About this time the scandal in
"pardons and paroles" began to
break. From Jan. 6, last, Governor
Walton had extended 253 acts of ex-
ecutive clemency at the McAlester
penitentiary.
Miss Sue Bonds of Okmulgee coun-
ty, was attacked in 1918. Her fiance
Holden H. Vance, was overseas. She
died year later in Arkansas, brok-
enhearted. Ira Williams was con-
victed for this crime and sentenced to
Is years in prison. He was a travel
ing salesman.
Paroled Girls Attacker
May 10, last, Walton paroled him
Vance wrote the governor a harsh
letter and the parole was revoked,
In the meantime, Williams had fled
and still is at liberty.
In 1912 Charles r. Reuter-, an at
torney, was murdered. Guy Mckenzie
was convicted and sentenced to life
Imprisonment for the murder. He
had conspired with the attorneys
wife to kill him. Mckenzie was par
oiled by former Governor Robertson
two years ago. He was caught boot
Logging and was returned. June Is,
Walton paroled him.
There is long list of such cases,
reaching up to two days ago. This
list of paroles includes Dick Ivey
bank bandit, who killed a bank
cashier at Ketchum while on parole.
The list includes 15S felons, IS par
doned and the remaining 1O3 receiv-
ed communications or reprieves.
Executive clemency has been ex-
tended to 20 murderers.
Defends Actions
The "leave of absence" is an insti-
tuition established by Walton, under
which convicts are released for var
ious periods. There is no record of
the number of these cases.
Governor Walton announced early
in his term that he would not permit
anyone to die in the electric chair.
Instead of reducing taxes to the
farmers, the governor has piled on
expenses until today deficiency war
rants totaling $177,722 have been
issued. The bankers and farmers
have been uneasy over the situation.
Twenty men, most of them former
policemen when Walton was mayor.
are kept as a personal bodyguard for
the governor, drawing state funds.
There are five at his side nearly all
the time, even at night.
Vetoed $6,OO0,OO0 Budget
At the. close of the last session
Walton vetoed 100000 in appro-
nriations and vetoed a refund of ST.