The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1874-09-08
MINNESOTA.
Measures 10 Protect the state
Against McIIrath's DeGRlcatiOn.

ST. PAUL, Sept. 7.-Governor Davis
has taken prompt measures to protect the
State in regard to the alleged dcfalcation
of Chas. McIlrath, late State Auditor,
The Governor to-day addressed letter
to Attorney General Wilson, in which,
after reciting the authority and scope OF
the special legislative committee invc>ti-
eating Mcllroths accounts, SAYS: at i
submitted by the committee that the evil
dence establishes the fact that the late
State Auditor has received on account of
timber cut on the State lands S77,O4l
more than he has paid the State Treas
urer; that his management of certain
stumpage transactions in KandiyshO
county has resulted in loss to the State
of farther sum of Sl2,5lS. 1t is fur
ther submitted by the report,
that the evidence establishes that
the examiners appointed by the State
Auditor to report to him the quantities
in State lands, made systematic buSi-
ness of defrauding the State for pccunia-
~ considerations by reporting the guam
titv cut as less than the actual quantity,
leaving the unrcported quantities a. the
subject Of speculation, by those whose
duty it was to protect the interests ofthc
State in these matters. TheeXamimcrs to
whom the evidence in this subject most
distinctly points was the late Mr.. Butler
Comstack. whose estate is now in process
of settlement in the Probate Court of
Ramsey county. 1t is also given by re-
port that the quantities cut were by a
cOlluSon between the claimants of the
logs and the examiners. 1t j. estimated
that allowing for all that the State
received and all that its officials
received, and did not pay over the
State has been dcfraudcd Of large >um,
of money. The report also discloScs GER
tain transactions of the lat. State Aud
itor with the firm of p. VI. Myers " Co.,
bankers in New York, which demand
the stric.cst scrutiny by you That YOU
may ascertain whether the State has any
claim against the Auditor by reason
thereof You nr" requested to bring suit
Mt the earliest possible moment against
McIlrath and his -urcties. for every cause
of action which, i'll your judgment, can be
sustained against him or them.
You are also requested to intervene in
the Probate Court of Ramsey county in
the matter of the estate of Butler Conn
stock, deceased, putting in ana ccouut in
favor Of the State Of Minnesota against
said estate. for such amount n may be-
warranted by the cvidcnc" taken 10y the
committee or by any other information
of which YOU may become Possessed.
You are also requested TO bring suit in
the name of the State of Minnesota rs
plaintiff, against all persons whom the
evidence discloses as having con-pir"d
with any officer to have the quantity cut
bv or for them undcr-Cstimatcd, and VIII"
have not paid for all timber actually cut.
The amount paid to any person as II
bribc for not returning or cXacting pay
mcnt for the full quantity is not to be aI-
lowed rs payment by reason of it, lHN-
ing been made to a State officer. You
will also please proceed to assert in the
courts the right ofthc State ia all ra-"s
not above stated, which your cNauina
tion ofthc report and the evidence mny
bring 10 your attention.
Very respectfully,
ISigncd.7 {. X. DAyI-,