San Andreas independent., 1857-02-14
state Treasurer.

With all the corruption which has existed in
high places since this has been State with
oil the malfeasance in Office and squandering of
the public money, and the escape of the cul-
prits the present Legislature, to its honor and
praise be it spoken, has taken upon itself to put
n stop to peculation in high official positions,
and place before the people true state of af-
fairs, and show them in what manner their pub
lie servants have conducted themselves of late,
and what uses and abuses have been made of
the taxes which the people have paid into the
public treasury. Henry Bates, State Treasurer,
is likely to be impeached by the Legislature in
accordance with charges in report made by a
select committee, appointed to investigate the
affairs of the State Treasury. The committee
in their report, charge the Treasurer with mall
feasance in Office, by paying to Palmer, Cook
Co., and at late day to the Pacific Express,
certain moneys, for the purpose Of paying the
interest on the State bonds, held in New York,
without having the bonds of said parties ap-
proved by the Governor, according to law
They also charge the Treasurer with felony,
"for drawing his official drafts on Wells, Fargo
& Co., and delivering the same to E. 4. Rowe,
President of the Pacific Express, for his individ-
ual use, and for having at various times per-
mitted moneys belonging to the State to be used
by said E. A. Rowe" To the committee which
made this able report, much credit is due, and
the people will justly appreciate their labors in
bringing to punishment man in high position,
who has basely betrayed the trust rcposcd in
him by the people. About the time of the meet
ing of the Legislature, reports got into circula-
tion-and were believed-that the Treasurer
had paid over to the Pacific Express, the sum
of $l24,000, to meet the July interest on the
State bonds. Although the action appeared
rather premature it being four months in ad-
vance of the time actually necessary, yet con-
sidering the failure of Palmer Cook & Co. to
meet the July interest of last year, and the de-
cision of the Supreme Court in regard to the !
public debt, it was looked upon by the press of
the State and the public generally, as prudent
and patriotic act in the Treasurer which would
have q tendency to sustain the fast sinking
credit of the State.
Whether the State money which has been used
for other than legal purposes, has been appropri-
ated by the Treasurer for private speculations in
which he is interested, or whether he has been
drawn into the meshes of financial sharks who
are sharper than himself, remains as yet rather
matter of conjecture; although circumstan-
ces seem strongly to justify the inference that
the money, or at least q portion of it, was used
in private speculation by +. A. Rowe, in which
the Treasurer himself was interested. The
legislative committee appointed to count the
public money the 18th of January Disconnected
their arrangements, and even the assertion that
the money had been sent East to pay the July
interest, would not cover the affair." and prevent
the matter from being investigated.
Whatever may come of charges brought
against and the course being pursued to-
ward the Treasurer, we hope justice Will be
done, and that the guilty will be made to suf- |
fer that punishment which he justly merits for
having violated the confidence placed in him |
by the people, over one year ago, when they
supposed him to be man Of honor, and high |
standing. f. A. Rowe, the Treasurer's financial |
accomplice has been sent on board the prison
brig for declining to answer questions directly |
referring to what uses he made of the money
belonging to the treasury.
We hope the Legislature will make thor
ough investigation of the financial affairs of the
State and where there has been derelction
r II. Al
be made to feel the power of the law which
has been violated, and be held up as warning
to those who may hereafter receive trusts at the
hands of the sovereign people.