New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-01-06
THE STATE TREASURER OF MAINE
A DEFAULTER.

Rumors have been current for week past that there
was GOOD reason 10 apprehend deficiency IN the cash
accounts Of the State Ieasuer M Ssn D
and Monday laat we fear that there is no room TO
doubt the truth Of the reports IL Is stated 70 as oy
good authority that the funds OF the STATE nave oeen
oroelv used by the Tessn in business Ieratons OF
h;s oun and that there ia no likelihood OF the money
be;no reaced by him. The amount Ia said to be large
ranging somewhere from $5,O00 to $loo ,oVO-,eav-
inc but little money in the Treasury The fdnds nave
been used, we understand, in the extensive numbering
and mi-buildng operations in Canada East, below
Montreal in which Mr.. Peck and other parties IN ths
State have been engaged for yeafor more ana wnsn
have copt some $4,000 or $4,000 Whether the
Treasurer has applied all the money 70 ths PnLpo5e
money which has been taken directly from the treas
ury. Drafts or checks TO q large amount have been
given by Mr. Peck, signing as State Treasurer, but Tor
which the State is not liable. Some OF these Were
either partially or wholly secured by him upon the
Canada property. What the entire amount OF these
drafts or checks may he il is nov impossible TO say
We have heard of $40 600 in two lots Fuller devel'
opments in regard to the whole matter VIII Dc made
az soon as there can be an official investigation.
We have tins given the substance of the statements
which are made. We do not consider ourselves called
upon TO withhold them any longer from the public,
and shall make no attempt TO shield the Treasurer
from public Indignation although he has held his office
under Republican administration. The fact that he
is defauter proclaimed by the Governor and
Council on Monday in dispatch to the various banks
of the State directing them TO pay out no more OF the
States money 10 his order.
We have seen these developments with exceeding
sorrow, and have hoped as long az we could hope,
there was no truth in the rumors. We have now TO
say-aDd we say il freelythat the statements being
true the high officer of the State has deeply wronged
the PEOPLE of Name and has violated the confidence OF
great and honorable party, brought reproach upon
its name and involved hazard Of vital injury TO the
noble cause for which it was organned-and he has
also violated the confidence of both personal and poll
teal friends, involving them IN pecunary loss and per-
haps ruin Such reereancy TO honor truth and prnci-
ple cannot be strongly denounced and he who has
been guilty of it will thus be denounced by every
honest Republican in the land. The fraud, we pre-
sume, was not premeditated nor deliberate. The
Treasurer was probably drawn into it gradually, by
the exgencies of a business operation, and with the
intention and expectation of making the State funds
good But this is no excuse We think ne had neither
legal nor moral right TO engage in the operation,
while the Treasurer of State, much less to use the
States money therein. He has perhaps been drawn In
ard induced 10 this by ohers both Republicans
and Democras-bu that is not TO be counted az an ex.
euse. He should have had more strength OF moral
principle than violate his trust at the solicitation or
by the inducement of any man or set of men what
ever.
We can only add that the Republican party has been
egregiously deceived in the man, and unworthy dis.
graced by his actions. Our principles can be affected
by no mans act They the strength OF the party
ard will It'll find moral support in the minds OF the
people however men may dsappont aud subject us to
reproaeb.
The Office Of State Treasurer was declared vacant
on Monday by the Governor and Council, and a Com
missioner Mr. MIliken Of Waterville, Councillor from
Kepnebec appointed. The Legislature, which assem-
bes to-day, will proceed at to ascertain the full
extent of the defacaon and to take proper measures
in the premises.
TIE Treasurer's bond is for the sum of $4,000.
There eight nine sureties the bond, we be-
lieve-a majority of whom residents of this city,
Mr. Peck arrived here on Saturday last, and remained
Up to last evening.