The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-03-03
HARRISBURG.
The State Treasury-General Irwin Makes n
Statement-He Declines be Sworn n

Vne stare TFeusafy-OeueruI Irwin mukeS
Statement-He Declines to be Sworn n
Witness.
HARR1sBuRa March 2-The Senate Finance
Committee met tonight, and continued the
State Treasury investigation, Mr.. Billingfelt
in the chair.
STATEMENT BY GENERAL IRWIN.
General Irwin, ex-State Treasurer, appeared
and made statement to the following effect:
THAT it was absolutely impossible for him,
at this late date, to give monthly statement
of affairs of the Treasury during his term.
No vault accounts had been separatri. " kept
by him, but it was all kept by the Cashier, as
the General Treasury account, and everything
had been transferred to his successor in Office.
If the committee asked or expected de-
tailed statement, they expected an impossi-
bility! He was not in possession of the
Treasury or its books, and it was unreasona-
BILE to ask him to go to the labor and expense
of detailed statements. After all, his accounts
have been satisfactorily adjusted.
HE DECLINES TO BE SWORN.
In answer to a question of Mr.. Billingfelt,
he stated distinctly that he declined to be
sworn, or make any statement beyond that
already given. The accounts of his admins
tration were in possession Of the State and
open to the world. He could render no fur
ther service by answering any questions. He
tuCA plCoCAtCu ei1O AOiO"AhB AObtOio'
LETTER FROM THE AUDIToB-GENERAL.
AUDITOR GENERALS OFFICE, HARRISBURG,
Pa, March 2, 1870.-W. w. Irwin, State
Treasurer-Dear Sir:-In answer to your
communication of this date, l have the honor
to state that at the close of your term of
Office, in May, 1869, there appeared to be a
balance in the Treasury, according to the
books of the Auditor General and State Trea-
surer, amounting to 81, 135, 1892, which
| amount was charged against r. w. Maokey,
| Esq, the present State Treasurer, at the time
| he entered upon his duties, by which change
or transfer your account was closed
have the honor to be your most obedient
| servant, JOHN +. HARTBANFT.
| GENERAL IRWIN DENIES THE RIGHT OF THE COM
MITTEE TO CALL UPON HIM AS WITNESS.
To THE COMMITTEE OF THE SENATE, HARRIS.
| BURG, March 2, S70.-Gentlemen:-I have
been subp9naed to appear before you and to
| give evidence upon a subject embodied in q
resolution adopted by the Senate of the 7th
of January, 1870
At the end of my term as Treasurer, set.
tied my accounts and handed over all moneys
| and effects in the Treasury to my successor
| / made final settlement on the first Monday
of May, 1869, with the Auditor General
| During my administration not O single dollar
of the public money was lost, and all the
affairs of my office were closed up to the
entire satisfaction of the Auditing Depart
ment of the State.
defy any one to make any charge agains
me for malfeasance in Office, and to substan
tiate it with competent testimony. WheI
that occurs / will be ready to meet and refut,
it. But until then will not recognize tn,
right of the Committee of the Senate, or o
any tribunal in this land, to call me as a wit
ness and examine me upon any question con
nected with my personal or official integrity.
While ] admit the power of a Legislative
committee toinquire into my whole official con
duct and the management of the affairs o
my Office, desire to be distinctly understoo'
as objecting to the exercise of any such in
quisitorial power as referred to, in the ab
sence Of any charge or accusation affecting
my official integrity. 1t would be subversiv
of every principle of law, and in violation o
that right which enables every man to de
mand that his accusers meet him face to face
only wish to add that am not animate
| by any want Of confidence in this committee