The Nevada Journal

MORE STEALING.

The Legislature has made a discovery—a wonderful discovery. With marvellous sharpness it has been found out that the chief clerk of the Assembly has been stealing—actually stealing. It appears on investigation that James M. Anderson, the chief clerk, has received several thousand dollars for copying for the Assembly more than he was entitled to by law. The Secretary of State, Johnson Price, certified that the thing was all correct, and Anderson has received considerable cash that did not belong to him, possibly enough to last him through the summer if the tiger is not too severe on him. For a wonder, there is a disposition to censure the chief clerk for his want of conscience and honesty on this occasion. The natural bent of the old fellow's mind was made known as long ago as 1855, and every member of the present Legislature before voting for him, ought to have been aware of the danger of leaving money lying around loose where he could get it. In the Legislature of the year before mentioned, Anderson, as chief clerk of the Assembly, was allowed by a resolution a number of copying clerks to assist him. The resolution did not name the number. It was a sorry omission for such a man to take advantage of. Before the session closed it leaked out that a lot of bummers were fed as clerks at the expense of the State. An investigation was had and it was discovered that Anderson had appointed sixteen assistants at a salary of twelve dollars a day each! His own per diem was much greater. Still not satisfied with it, he procured during the last hours of the session the passage of a resolution giving him twelve hundred dollars more which was designed to pay his board bill at the Orleans. In the face of such shamelessness Anderson presented himself before the next Legislature as a candidate for Chief Clerk, and was re-elected by one majority. Since that time he has been elected several times to the same position.

The wonder seems to be great that in the year of grace one thousand eight hundred and sixty-one, J. M. Anderson Clerk of the Assembly, was found swindling the State out of thousands of dollars. In any other civilized country the wonder would be how a man guilty of the frauds upon the State six years ago, he is guilty of, could be re-elected over and over again to repeat the frauds to his heart's content. There is still another wonder; will the Legislatures to come remember even the last fleecing? Election first.