Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1860-11-30
Il tIUU copy
Attest, NJ. B %RBEE, Asst ClcrE.
To the House Of Representatives, now in ses-

SION
The Committee of Ways and Means ask
leave to report that they have followed the
instructions embodied in the foregoing reso-
luton, as closely as possible. and have made
a the investigation in their power; but
owing to many circumstances beyond their
control, the result of their labors must nee
essarily be very imperfect.
The accounts of the late treasurer with
the towns or their constables. relating to
taxes, are full of errors, both WAYS In
some instances receipts are given for money
not credited, and in some instances money
paid and no receipt given and money not
accounted for !; and in one instance at least,
money was credited which never had been
paid and the committee are of opinion that
the treasurer himself did not know how the
accounts stood, and did not dare to press the
collection for fear the errors might be de,
tected. He has kept the accounts so very
loosely for long time, that they are now
generally mass of unintelligible cl Infusion.
The committee have however, come to the
following conclusion
Amount due TO sundry Banks, which is re-
ported as Paid by H. NJ. Bates. as treas
urer, Sl8,G9l Is
(Amounts due to Banks $50, 1862
80. Amounts received of sun
dry Banks S4,67l 16.)
Amount loaned to the state by
sundry individuals not before
reported as due, 27,097 90
Amount collected on taxes and
not credited, the same having
been reported as due, including
errors IN tax accounts and
claims of sundry individuals
not vet adjusted, 3,7O5 80
Amount. S48, S94 AZ
Upon 1" The Bank Commissioner : salary
several sums of money have been received
from sundry Banks. which were reported as
paid. The said amounts were forwarded in
consequence of a circular S mt to them asking
information,
The same remarks apply to tax on Foreign
Bank Stock OF the amounts to be paid.
no credit list has yet been made.
So many variations and errors are found in
nearly every department, the books are 50
Inaccurate, so many vouchers are missing,
(Which must be replaced), that it is impos-
sible at this time to give correct statement
of the affairs of the late State Treasurer.
About sixty towns are yet to be heard
from in regard to taxes. Errors, S506 Is
Claims, g, 237 36. No accurate memoranda
are as yet found showing to whom - the
State Loan of 1857 was awarded or the pre-
miums thereon.
The Committee desire to report. that when
the late Treasurer moved to Mortified, SIX
or seven years since, he was supposed to be
the owner of not more than $4,000 or
$4,000, more than he was indebted but that
now he has assigned to Mr.. CARPENTER and
Mr.. Belknap. two of his bondsmeu, property
valued by him a S35 600, or more, AMI Is
by the assignees to be worth at least
$50, 600. What this property cost does noc
appear. It appears, further. that said Treas
urer's habits of living have been somewhat
expensive, and he has been engaged in many
speculations, some OF which have been un-
iDrtunate and disastrous. In one of these
relating to u patent, it appears he invested
5000, and some proof tended to show near
y $50, 600.
The assignment named above is to in1emni
y the assgnees from liability as bondsmen,
and if there is surplus over their liability, the
balance is for the benefit of the other bonds
men. The assignment ism parol.
The Committee feel justified in further
tating that suspicious relative 70 the ac-
cunts of the Treasurer bad existed for near
y or quite two years, and some conversation
elatlve to an investigation occurred between
esldents OF Montpelier, and others, and ap-
'lIcatlon Was made TO him for explanation.
lie always satisfied those who applied that
Othing was wong, and attributed the rum
RS to the alleged Illwill of those who might
e seeking the Office for others. The first
bsolute proof of this defalcation developed
self as the late Treasurer transferred the
lnds of the State to the hands Of the present
during the present session. I'll
rior to this time had been meIe rumur, 50
IT as the committee are able to learn
D. G. DENISON, for Committee,