Randolph County journal., 1860-09-27


this exchange which purchased Of
them. to pay the next semi ANIMAL
interest Ii was no loan. and Gov.
Willard ought to know it was not
Ii was bona fde purchase of ex-
change for the bona fide purpose of
paying the interest on the public debt.
And the parties of whom | purchased
will SO testify. See Col. Mays let
ter. published below. Any business
man in indianapolis would have deem
ed it perfectly afe transaction at the
time. Bat, contrary to reasonable
expectation. Col. May. who was then
the holder of largeamount of stocks
and also large dealer in produce.
met with unexpected reverses in busi-
ness, and. being the party primarily
liable on these bills Of exchange, failed
to honor them at maturity. though at
the time L went ont of office, and for
some time afterwards the indorsers.
Bright and Drake. were considered
good for the amount. In the mean
time my successor, Mr.. Jones. took
the Office. At that time the balance
in the State Treasury. including tie
above bills of exchange, was s7O9,-
$50 50. | delivered the whole over
to Mr.. Jones, Attorney General, Jo-
seph L. Mcdonald. advising him in
writing that he ought to receive the
bills OF exchange from me as part Of
the assets of the Treasury. the Attor-
ney General being an able lawyer, and
n distinguished Democrat, and there.
upon Mr.. Jones gave me the follow
ing receipt.
February Q. 1857.
"Received of w. r. Noisinger. late
Treasurer Of State. seven hundred and
nine thousand eight hundred and fifty
SIX dollars and fiity-tive cents (S709.-
$50 55) in securities and fsnds in his
hands as such Treasurer. according to
schedules hereto annexed.
AouILLA JoSEs."
This was in my Judgment and still
is complete acquittance to me and
my sureties. Nor do fear any suit
which the Governor may have prose
cutcd against me. But let it be re-
membered that these assets were de.
livered to Mr.. Jones on the 9th day
OF February, 1857; that they included
the bill. OF exchange in question; that
Gov. Willard and Attorney General
Mcdonald knew OF the fact And let
also the tact be remembered that II
alter went out of office, suit had been
brought ON the bills of exchange. the
whole amount might have been col
lected, ~ the drawers and indorsers
Drake ani Bright) mad ample prop
e,ty In their hands, out Of which the
money might have been made.
Alter | had ceased to be Treasurer,
which is now going on four years,
neither | nor my surcties had any con-
troll over these bills of exchange
They were in the hands of Democratic
State Officers, and were made. indoors
ed and accepted by distinguished
Democrats who owe them and ought
to pay them. But to this day they
are unpaid and have never been sued
on. Can any one answer wny suit
has never been brought on these bills?
Under these circumstances it comes
with poor grace from the Governor
to say that this is debt due by Col.
Lane (who is one of the sureties on
my bond and me. The debt is due
by his own Democratic friends, May,
Drake and Bright, not from me and
my sureties.
But if Gov. Willard really thinks
that in any thing have forfeited my
official bond. why has he not directed
suit on it against me and my sure
ties?
The statute provides that for breach
of the condition of any official bond
by which the State is injured, the
Governor shall direct suit to bebrought
on his relation q r. S. 307. y
This is his sworn duty. He is made
the guardian OF the public funds: he
has been in office nearly four years,
have been out of Office nearly that
long, why did he not do his duty and
order me to be sued? Why has he
let this matter rest ever since Februa-
rv. 1857, if he thinks Col. Lane and
myself are liable and ought 10 pay the
debt of his Democratic friends? II
his statements are true. he is. on his
own showing. as guilty as can be.
But the Governor intimates in his
speech that l and my sureties have
been sued. 4 word of explanation
will sufficiently clear up this matter
A committee to investigate the affairs
of all the State officers, have been
holding sessions occasionally at lndi-
annapolis. That Committee, to my
knowledge. has never intimated tina,
l ought to pay this debt. On the con
trary | believe have satisfied them
that in all things have acted in gooc
faith. But they could not fully in
vestigate these matters before the
statute Of limitations would expire
Therefore. to save this remedy, they
mot Gov. Willard) directed the AT
torney General to commence a suit
He did SO for that purpose. only, Gas
he himself will testify.) And though
and my sureties have at all time.
been ready to meet that suit no on,
has even moved IN it. and never vii
move in it with effect. That suit wa
: commenced before the March Term
1860. OF the Marion Circuit Court
and yet no one has ever moved rul
on the defendants TO answer to tn
complain.-and that, too. for the rea
r son above stated.