The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1875-10-29
Keepers Of the State MOHcy-Bdgs.
SPEECH OF THE DEMOCRATIC INyEsTfGA A
TING CoNMIrTEE-THET DRAW
AN INFERENCE.

SPEECH OF THE DEMOCRATIC ISvEsTfGa-
TING CoNMIrTEE-THET DRAW
AN INFERENCE.
The following report of the State Treas
ury Investigating committee was promul-
gated on Thursday night last. 1t speaks
for itself:
To His ErccNency John r. Hartranft,
Gorernor of PeBnsyICdaid and oustus r..
Temple, auditor General: The committee
of the House appointed to investigate the
affairs of the State Treasury beg leave to
present the following additional report:
After the State Treasurer, in April last,
refused the accountant of the committee
access to the books and papers liz the
Treasury of the State, the committee con-
tinued its work by an examination of the
public documents published yearly by the
different departments of the State Govern
ment. From this examination the COM
mittee ascertained, and in their report of
July 16, 1875, stated
First. That from about the year 1866 to
1874 nearly SO, 100000 was largely taken
from the sinking fund.
Second. That during period of twelve
years, beginning with December l, 1862,
the different State Treasurers had AN aver
age balance constantly on hand of %, i00,-
! 600, but had not accounted to the State
for one cent of interest on the same, the
: taxpayers being thus practically robbed of
81, 400 900.
Third: That the law directing the quar-
teIly application of all money i'll the sink
ing fund to the liquidation of an equivalent
amount of the public debt had been con-
s;antly and Systematically violated, to the
great loss of the people and the enrichment
of the State Treasurers.
The committee, continuing the same line
of inVpStiOaf;nn Sinra that have
further discovered
First. That from 1864 to 1874 there ap-
pears to be n yearly overcharge on the in
terest account on the public debt, the diff
ferent Treasurers taking credit for paying
more interest than the State debt bore.
The grand aggregate thus unlawfully
taken from the State Treasury, in the
eleven years named, amounts to the enor-
nous sum of 81, ,123, ,301. 65.
Second. That from 1870 there appears
to have been an access of premium chaI ged
on the purchase Of gold to pay the interest
the gold bearing bonds amounting in
all TO 1921, 1875.
Many other minor fraudulent tfansac-
tions came under the notice of the com nit
tee, bu: those here mentioned may De tabu~
lated as follows
Unlawfully taken from the sink
ing So 400 COO
Interest ON public ieposits........... 400 0oC
Overcharge in interest account. 1913 30I
Overcharge in gold premiums. 12l, ,427
Total. ,0ii rs
The committee having pursued this line
of inquiry rs far was practical or useful
subp1naed the State Treasurer, II. w.
Mackey, and his predecessors in office. to
appear and explain, if possible, any Of the
above items. These subppnas were re
turnabie October ,, at Harrisburg. their
service sworn to, but there was no appear
ance, except by Mr.. Mackey, and he de-
clined to testify until his predecessors in
office were sworn-certainly an unusual
dictatiUn on the part OF a witness. But the
committee met from day to day, aud sub
sequently snbppnaed Mr.. Mackey to ap-
pear and testify in Philadelphia on We'd
nesday, October 20. Mr.. Mackey did not
appear, aud he and all the ex-State Treas
urers have studiously avoided the meetings
of tue committee. Had the committee the
power 10 issue an attachment for their arrest
that power would be promptly used, but
that is a prerogative Of the House which
must OF necessity remain unexercised until
the House is in session. What inference
is to be d. avn? Certainly it is fair to as
sumo that all the charges above made are
true, as the TreasurCrs do not appear
when lawfully subppnaed, and cxpaiu aud
deny them.
In this connection the committee cannot
refrain from referring to- another difficulty
it had to contend with. The committee
was created by the House alohc, the Senate
refusing to concur. and the committee Vas
wholly deprived of funds to pay any Of its
expenses.
o. II. REIGnARD, MILTON \. EMEIcK.
y. SMITH, FRED. W. GUNsTER.