“The board of supervisors ordered payments that were without authority of law, to the extent of many thousands of dollars. The illegalities in the audits of the board of supervisors were particularly objectionable because of the fact that many of the subjects of criticism were called to the board’s attention in the report of a former examination. Illegal payments under such circumstances became a defiance of legal restriction.... The administration of the poor fund was not in accord with the law and through a failure of the officials to understand the requirements of the law and the necessities of the county, the lack of proper coöperation between the county treasurer, the superintendent of the poor, and the board of supervisors, confusion resulted in the poor fund finances and a large deficit accumulated which was financed by illegal temporary loans.... The county has suffered to a material extent from inefficiency, indifference to law and neglect.” That discoveries were by no means local or unique is indicated by periodical complaints that have come up from other parts of the country. Was it men, as such, or was it not also a system that gave rise to the evidences of bad government in County “B.”? Did it simply _happen_ that the treasurer, the county judge, the district attorney, the sheriff and the justices of the peace were all breaking the laws at once? Is it to be supposed that law-breaking flourished naturally in the atmosphere of that particular region? The performances of these officers are both so instructive and picturesque that they will bear a brief recounting here. The examiners of the affairs of this county a few years ago turned up this quaint little document: “ELLENBERG CENTER, Nov. 21, 1900. County of....................., Dr., to Wellington Hay. 1898, Sept. 22. To 7 days’ labor with deputy sheriff looking up stolen horse $14.00 To paid all expenses per above 15.60 ------ $29.60 “Mr. Hay performed services in following up two horse thieves who had stolen his horse at my request as sheriff, one of the men, George Burnham, had several indictments against him in this county and all who knew his doings were anxious for his capture, I certainly think Mr. Hay should be paid. “C. W. VAUGHAN, “_Late Sheriff_.”