The Western news. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1933-current, 1934-01-18

p
was responsible for the investigation
for the impeachment.
A spirited discussio followed
Haights motion and it was finally de-
cided to defer consideration of it unit
Wednesday so as to first dispose O
relief legislation. Whether or not ths
impeachment motion was sustained b,
the house is not known
Following is a synopsis of the CEN
surfing report, as reported in the Grea1
Falls Tribune:
HELENA, Jan IA 19-page report
criticizing and censuring Gov. Cooney
and Secretary of State Sam w. Mitchell
both individually in their official capac-
tiles and as members of the state board
of examiners, was submitted the Mon
tana house Of representatives today by
a select committee of seven assembly
men to inquire into state overdrafts
and other functions Of government
Summarizing its findings the COM
mittee signed a conclusion holding that
Ignorance of the law cannot excuse
any public officer the discharge of
his duties and that it Is for the best
interests Of the state that ill-considered
contracts should be condemned
THE legislative branch of the gov
eminent is just as important as the ex-
ecutive,' they added, land all its de-
partments, whether right or wrong, no
officer or department Of this state has
any right to ignore appropriations made
by the legislature, or to ignore the laws
appearing upon our statutes.
I'VE find a total lack of harmony
throughout the capitol between the
various departments and the governors
office. With whom the fault lies, we do
not know, but the fact remains that
much damage results to the state and
its citizens through loss Of efficiency
and wasteful expenditures.
Your committee, from all the evil
dence, concludes that this investigation
shows incompetence or a plain disre-
gard of the laws of the state. or both.
on the part of the governor and the
secretary of state, and we recommend
that a copy of this report be given 10
the governor, the secretary Of state and
attorney general"
Conclusion Signed.
This conclusion was signed by Chair
man Merle C. Greene of Lewistown;
Representatives E. r. Logan of Billings;
T. E. Nelstead of Ekalaka; John Abra-
hanson of Carbon county, Ray NJ
Shannon Of Thompson Falls, Joe Met
len of Beaverhead, and M r. Marshall
of Missoula. Logan, Nelstead and Mar
shall are republicans.
A supplemental conclusion append
ed by Representative Marshall touching
upon a phase of the report which dealt
with the purchase of sugar at higher
prices than the low bids submitted, and
upon similar purchase of dried fruits,
and repairs to the capitol, said:
Il join in the above report with the
following restrictions-con the
acceptance OF high bids the governor
defends his acceptance Of the high bid
on sugar by saying it was Montana
product; he said acceptance of the high
bid on dried fruit was due to superior
quality of the bid accepted. When the
work on the capitol was begun both
the governor and Mr.. Mitchell believed
federal funds would be obtained for
such repairs"
II do wish to join in the conclusions
of the report as to alleged 'incompe-
tence and plain disregard of the law
by Governor Cooney The evidence
presented does not lead me to question
his integrity or intentions. He apparent
ly placed too great confidence in the
advice of Mr. Mitchell secretary of
state. The extraordinary duties imposed
upon the governor during the period
of depression have prevented his Civ
ing due consideration to the details Of
the business of the state"
Both conclusions added that the, "re-
port was submitted to the house for
such action as it may deem proper and
necessary" The committee added also
that that many reports and rumors
were found entirely false and without
foundation"
Condensed Report.
Condensed herewith are the various
phases of the inquiry and the report,
in part on each.
1. Purchases and sales and statute
requiring all purchases by, state pur-
chasing agent, subject to consent and
approval of the governor, low bids, etc.
g During the summer 1888 bids
were called by purchase of quantity of
sugar for state institutions. The lowest
bid was not considered, the bidding
sheet of the purchasing department
showing that no consideration to the
1n,.rouf Hid u,oe uiva, hy nrIcr re the