Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1864-02-22
REPLY OF J. RIsTINE TO OLIVER P. MORTON ESQ
INDIANAPOLIS. INDIANA,l
II 4


REPLY oFJ. RIsrrNE TO OLIVER P. MORTON. ESQ
INDIANAPOLIS. INDIANA,(
Feb l3, 1864.
OLIVER p. MoRroN Esq, Sir: have just re-
ceived your autograph note of this date, in which
you inform me that you have received by the
hands of my messenger ga printed political doc
umeut, purportng TO be the official report of the
Auditor of State"
You also inform me that ait has no honest
claim to the character of official paper and
cannot be regarded as such"
The statute requires that my report shall be
made to the Governor Of State" and having
noticed in the morning papers that you claimed,
and bad secured the opinions of eminent counsel
to the effect that you not Governor. was
doubtful as to my duty. but having ascertained
by the examination OF various public documents
/. that you have since the 10th day of jan
uary, 1861. claimed the title and exercised
all the power and authority pertaining TO the of
fee. and much that is not annexed TO it by law,
/ regarded it my duty to overlook your present
Reputation of official character and send you my
report
did it as an act of official duty, and not as
mark of respect to which you are entitled as an
individual, or because supposed it would be graf
flying to you know that the financial affairs of
the State were being conducted in accordance
with legal requirements.
The report was prepared with reference to my
obligations to the law and public interests The
facts are taken from public records and anthem
tic documents. Whether the conclusions drawn
from the facts stated are legitimate, each candid
reader will determine for himself.
did not expect that their presentation to the
public would be agreeable to you, nor did L sup
pose it my duty to seek your aid in the selection
of the material for the report, or your advice as
to the manner of its arrangement.
1t became my duty to call your attention to the
condition of various funds, upon which, under
different pretexts, and with spesies Of egerde-
main not often exhibited in positions so exalted
as that you fill, you had drawn without reference
TO your own power or the rights of the State
| also called your attention TO the arsenal, %
an institution built up by you without legal au
thority, carried on with the money of the State.
and the profits, which are reported to be large,
passing into the pockets of private individuals
At all events not one cent of either the principal
or increase thereof, has been by you, or your
agents, partners, paid into the State Treasury
since have been Auditor of State.
With reference to the interest on the funded
debt OF the State, for the payment of which you
have exhibited such ZEAL ! show that YOU
approved an act OF the Legislature by which the
tax levied for the express purpose Of paying the
funded debt was diverted from that purpose, aud
appropriated TO the paym of the war bonds,
and which provided that no portion of the tax
should be paid on the debt for the payment of
which il levied. until the war bonds were
paid, thus leaving no means with which TO pay
either the principal or interest Of the funded debt
unless money raised for other purposes should be
misapphed.
The facts are clearly stated in the report The
taxpayers Of the State have right to demand
| information as 10 the financial condition OF their
public treasury. To have concealed them would
have been an act Of official dishonesty
/ have stated no fact that does not legitmately
connect itself with the financial condition Of the
State have not stepped be, ond the limits OF
my official duties in any portion Of the report
and though the spectacle OF official delinquency
may be humilatng 10 the people Of the State, rs
exposure better subserves public interests than is
conceaitncnf
The charge that the report is political doc
ument," under ordinary circumstances would be
contemplate, but coming from the source il does
Il Is purely ridiculous. The people alone are
imperial in all mqtters connected with their pub
lie servants. Underline requirements OF the law
for their benefit and Information, furnished you
the statement of the condition Of the "public
revenues. funds and incomes Of the State >
Your attempted subterfuge 20 suppress the report
will not avail you for your purposes. The public
| will see II.
In conclusion permit me 10 say that have a
tolerably clear perception Of my duties ne Audi
tor Of State. and that do not recognize IN YOU
either the mental aud moral qualities, or the legal
| right 10 dictate the manner OF their performance
that regard your letter as gratuitous and Inn
pertinent, and estimate Il aud ts author At tholl
proDer value. j RfsrfSr