The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-02-03
HARRISBURG.


Committee to investigate the manner in which
the State Treasurers have for the last ten years
managed the State funds, and whether they
have made any illegal uses Of the same, held a
meeting this evening, Senator Billingfet in the
chair.
The Chairman called for the ling Of that
portion of the Governors message which alleged
that 30 man had been elected State Treasurer
who had not become rich.
Senator White inquired whether subp@nas
had been issued, as required, To eX-State Trea-
sureTe and TO Messrs kemble McGrath, Moore,
Irwin, and others, aud Chief Clerks Taggart and
Nicholson.
The Chairman replied that the necessary
papers had been issued aud that many of the
persons were in attendance, including Messrs.
Mackey, Kemble, McGrath, and Nicholson.
Letters had been received from Henry ID.
Moore and Irwin, both expressing their in
ability to be present tonight, but their willing
ness to appear soon as they could reach Har-
risburg.
NR. MAcKEY ON THE STAND.
The examination then commenced.
Mr.. Mackey was sworn and questioned by
Senator White.
Question. Are you State Treasurer? Answer.
Yes.
O. What is the balance in the Treasury now 2
A. I cannot ,ell the balance in figures exactly
without referring to the books. | think about
seventeen hundred thousand dollars. My re-
port gives figures to the Both of November, and
my books will show any day you look at them.
SINKING FUND BoNDs-THEIR AMOUNT AND DIS
POSITION.
@. What amount of bonds are there in the
Treasury? A. Six millions three hundred thou
sand Pennsylvania Railroad, and thrty-fiye hun
dred thousand Allegheny Valley Railroad.
Q. To what fund do these bonds belong A.
Sinking Fund.
r. Where are those bonds A. In the vault.
Q. Where have they been during your term of
efice A. They never have been out of the
vault except to show to the Attorney General.
@. Did you ever use those bonds for the pur-
pose of speculation? A. They never were out
of the Treasury, except at the time mentioned;
never used them in any way.
WHEREABOUTS OF MONEY DUE THE STATE.
Q. Where is the money that is due the Com
monweath A. Scattered over the State in
various banks.
Q. Are the banks believed to be solvent A.
have every reason to believe so, with the ex.
ception Of two.
Q. State what these exceptions are? A. The
failure of bank in 1851 and 1865. One had
about seven thousand and one about three
thousand
@. Was the money in your hands ready to be
used at any time to meet the demands of the
Government? A. Yes, sir every dollar OF ii,
except the advances made to members of the
Legislature and other officers, for which 1 get
no pay.
THE MONEYS ALWAYS AVAILABLE AND NEVER
MIsAPPLIED.
Q. With that exception is all the money in
the Treasury liable to DO called on for the pur-
poses of the State? A. Yes.
Q. Has there ever been time since you came
into Office that all the money of the Common
wealth has not been available? A, There has
never been time that every dollar received
by me was not subject tn call at moments
notice.
Q. Have you eyer used money OF the Com
monweaIth for the purpose of speculation in
gold or stocks? A. l have already answered
this question; never did have dollar of the
Commonwealth money invested in stocks or
bonds or anything of the kind
Q. Have you ever refused to pay any of the
liabilities of the Commonwealth on proper de-
mand? A. Not when due. may explain, do
not know we have any authority, but it has been
the custom of this Office to refuse to pay school
warrants of delinquent counties. This was done
by legal advice as matter OF policy
O. Have you ever used any money of the Com
monwealth for the purpose of controlling the
elections?
the Treasury?
Mr. White-Yes sir.
Answer by Mackey-No, sir; 1 have spent q
little of my own occasionally, but not of the
Commemorative
HOW THE MANAGEMENT MIGHT BE IMPROVED
@. would like to have your opinion officially
as to the management of the Treasury and funds
that shSuld be adopted. Could the management
of its affairs be made better by any statute? A
Very materially.
O.. Please state by what measures. A. think
the restrictions upon the Treasury are unwise
1t is unwise to restrict the Commissioners of thu
Sinking Fund to part with the bonds of the
Commonwealth when they are worth more in thu
market than their valuation. If money is to bt
used at all it is better to it in lifting our owl
securities than in any other way.
HIS OPINION REGARDING DEPosITARIEs
Q. What do you think of selecting deposita
ries of Government or State funds? A. neve
gave it much thought. l do not think ther
ought to be depositarieS nor any money in tn
treasury. If you exhaust your money you d.
not need depositaries AS long as you hay
money on hand you will have competition fo
that money. Depositaries will make fight 70
balances.
Q. Would it be wise to select depositaries fo
balances that are in the treasury from time t
time to meet school and charitable appropria
tlons? A. You cannot ran the Treasury with
out having some balances. l do not care her
TO express myself fully, because this Is not tn
place. need more time for such disquisition
have no doubt that the committe could pre-
pare bill to meet the exigencies of the case.
Senator Wallace now commenced an eXamina
tion of the witness and objected to the de
sultory character which the questioning had aE
sumed.
MANNER OF RECEIVING.
Q. Give us a detailed statement of the way
manner, and time at which moneys are pal
into the State Treasury Does your daily r,
port show that? A. Yes, sir; the books sho
that.
Q. Do the books show all moneys paid int
the State Treasury each day? A. Yes; perhap
not each day, but the exact amount.
Interruption by State Treasurer kemble VIII
said there was a book kept with detailed stat'
ment.
Mr. Mackey replied:-Yes, sir
q. In your Treasury report Is there q detaile
statement A. Yes, sir
HOW THE FUNDS ARE KEPT.
O. The next branch of this inquiry is Whel