Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1863-10-15
From the Wisconsin State Journ
The State Treasurer,

again, as it did two years since, singles him
out as its special object of attack. From the
result of similar assaults in the past, however,
that officer has no occasion to dread them.
1t has newly limited coinage of falsehoods,
issued expressly for this campaign. These
are, in brief that Mr.. HASTINGS, when first
elected to the Office of State Treasurer, was
poor. That he has since been engaged in
no other business except that connected with
his Office. That he has lived here like a
nabob in great style. That his salary is but
1900. That during his official term it is
currently reported he has lost $4,000 by the
failure of a New York broker. That he now
possesses Ga princely fortune" Query: how
did he amass a fortune so magnificent from
| salary so meagres
Such is brief synopsis of the latest phase
of attack upon Mr.. HASTINGS by the Patriot.
The inference which it insinuates is, of course,
that he has been stealing from the public
funds, and the lesson it would inculcate that
it is exceeding important he should be super
seeded by a Copperhead in order that the peo-
pie may be sure that their moneys are con-
tided to safe hands.
We propose to take up and examine, in
| their order, briefly, the above counts against
Mr.. HASTINGS:
l. He came here poor" This is false.
| Mr.. H., if not a wealthy man, at least pos
sessed competency, when frstelected. An
active, industrious business man, he had the
results of twenty-five or thirty years labor,
and owned sufficient property to pay an an
nual tax of over $500 upon it. This is not
the condition usually understood by the term
"poor"
H. That " he has been engaged in no bust
ness save the Treasury" 1t is true that he
has devoted his time faithfully to his public
duties, but he has been large real estate
owner in Trempealeau county, and had in
terests there and elsewhere which have never
been interrupted.
III. That che has lived like a nabob," sc.
Certainly every resident Of this city, and all
who know anything of Mr.. Fl. s style of living,
know this to be gross exaggeration. Mr..
SIllCc uc Ildo Iltto IlN CIV
in frame cottage of moderate dimensions,
and in decidedly modest and plain, rather
than ''princely style" There are few men in
the city in comfortable circumstances, who
are less open to the charge of extravaganza
in their mode of living than Mr. HASTINGS.
" That CHS salary is only 81 POO" The
salary of the State Treasurer is 81 400" In
addition to this, the law allows him fees which
amount to from $500 to 81, 200 per annum.
Moreover, we happen to know that he receiv-
ed last year from legitimate business inter
ests entirely unconnected with his office, an
income of over 81, 800.
V. That che has lost $50, 900 by New
York broker" Mr.. II. admits that there is
more truth in this charge than in any of the
others brought against him, from the fact
that there is a faint shadow of foundation for
the story. The year before he entered upon
the duties of the Office of State Treasurer,
he sustained loss by the failure of broker
in New York, but instead of $4,000, the loss
was less than $500. Such is the sole basis
; for this part of the story.
VI. That che now possesses a princely for
tune" AS we have already stated, there is
nothing in Mr.. HASTINGS style of living to
warrant the belief that he is immensely
wealthy, and he claims to have just about
held his own during the terms of his Office,
having saved somewhat from his yearly in
come and lost somewhat by the depreciation
of real estate.
A word now in regard to the argument that
a change in the Office of State Treasurer
should be made to secure an investigation in
to its condition After the dedication of
JANSEN, measures were adopted by the Leg
islature to guard against recurrence of such
an event. 1t is now the duty of the Secre-
tary of State, four times in each year--at the
expiration of every quarter-to enter the
Treasury and by actual examination of the
funds in the vault ascertain its condition, a
the Governor and also publishes. This has
been faithfully done during Mr.. HASTINGS
term of office. And, in addition, an investi-
eating committee, composed Of members Of
y
year, made thorough examination of his
books, vouchers, and the money in his posses
sion, and reported the result of their inqui-
ries to the Legislature. Below we subjoin
these reports for several years back, some of
of them signed by Democrats of the strictest
| and most ultra sect
| 1859. A thorough and critical examination into
the office of the State Treasurer has been had The
| funds have been counted, the banking securities
! have been examined, and all found to correspond
with the annual report, and the books and youch-
ers OF the department.. The books OF record of the
receipts and disbursements have been carefully
amlned, item by item, the vouchers have been COM
pared and the footings have been tested, and eve
rythng has been found correct and in proper order
! Your committee aware that complaints have
| been made by individuals and the public press
against the Treasurer, but after rigid exam
nation into all transactions in his office pertaining
| to the public funds and records, find moth
ing to condemn, but the other hand we feel war
ranted in saying that the Treasurer has thus far
discharged the duties incumbent on him, efficiently
and faithfully. It has been the uniform custom of
the Treasurer to demand coin in payment for State
| dues IN accordance with law, but henever and
wherever the rule could be safely varied to accom-
| MEDIATE debtors, it has been done with ereditable
| lberality. In all the same funds have been
PAID out that received, and coin has been
| exchanged for bank paper. -' -
| NJ NJ. DAVIS,
1850. thorough investigation has been made
in the Office OF the State Treasurer. The records of
receipts and disbursements have all been examined
item by item the cheers have all been COMPARED:
the footnSs have been test ed and thing found