The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1875-09-23
$4,000 SHORT.
That Is What is the Matter.
It was in Hobkirk's Rotten Bankl!
READ THE FACTS!!!



the facts in the case, show Maj Baetz'
conduct to be perfectly square and above
board. He has acted the manly part in
the transaction, and under no circum
stances viii the State lose a cent by it.
The facts are, that Maj. Bfetz, as
State Treasurer, 1873, had deposited
so, 900 in the Bank of Madison, and had
also mouey in other Banks. All State
Treasurers have had deposits in the same
manner; and the present State Treasurer
has at this time, and has had ever since
be came into office, money in his bank
and several others.
Every time the Democrat strikes at
Maj. Baetz for having money on deposit
in bank, it strikes at Treasurer Kuehn
with equal force But, as we said, the
money was on deposit in bank; fnan-
cial crisis came upon the country;
crisis that struck the banks, rather than
the people. 1t was trying time among
depositors in banks, and every person
was anxious about the security. Maj.
Betz drew his check for the $4,000 in
the Bank of Madison; it was presented
on the 22d of September, 1873. AS we
understand, he was informed that it
would suit the bank better, if it could be
transferred to the Hospital account; and
as some $4,000 would be due the
Hospital fund in about one week,
Maj. B9tz was viking such transit
e. should be made provided the
Treasurer of the Hospital Board would
receive it, and give his receipt for the
same as such Treasurer. Gen. Mills was
the Hospital Treasurer, and he was
formerly President of this bank; was
supposed to know all about it's affairs,
aud kept his own deposits in it. It APP
pears from Gen. Mills letter in the
Democrat, that the President of the
Bank of Madison, called on him (Mills)
on OF about the oath of September, 1873,
with the information, that the State
Treasurer had drawn check on the
bank for $4,000; the President propos-
ed to give Mr.. Mills collaterals, if he
would give his receipt as Hospital Trea-
surer, for this $40, 600. Mr.. Mills says
81 took the checks and collaterals, Civ
ing my receipt therefor" 1t was then
taken and receipted for, as we under
stood, on condition that Treasurer Bsetz
would add So, 600 to it, which he did, in
drafts on Milwaukee. Tins much for
the $4,000 in the Bank of Madison It
was receipted for by the Hospital Treas
urer, one week before the announce
ment of the failure of the Bank. This
announcement was made in the city pa
pers, Oct. 1, 1878, by Mr.. Hill, the Pres
ident On the first of Octber, the Sec
retarv of State, drew his warrant upon
the State Treasurer, for the amount due
the Hospital for the last quarter of 1873,
and on the Sd day of that month, three
| days after the failure of the Bank, Gen.
Mills gave his receipt on said warrant
for $13, 1876. rs, being the amount due,
e.,
was included, to make up the amount.
That this is so, we publish certified
copy of the warrant and receipt, as fol
lows:
STATE OF WISCONSIN.
SECRETARY's OFFICE,
MADISON, Oct st 1873:
From the financial books of this Office it APP
pears that Treasurer Wisconsin Hospital for
Insane, Madison, is entitled to the sum of thir-
teen thousand four hundred and eighty-six
dollars and seventy-five cents from the general
fund of the State Treasury, being amount
dited this day for expenses 4th or.
To the State Treasurer.
Sec, chap 6, 1878
JOHN s. DEAN, Asst Sec.
STATE TREAsURERs OFFICE.
Received, Madison, Oct. Sd, 1873, from the
State Treasurer, payment in full for this GER
t1catc,
SIMEON MILLS, Treas.
STATE TREAsURER'S OFFICE,
MADISON, Sept. goth, 1875.
correct copy of the original warrant above re-
FERD. KUEHN, State Treas
The books of the Bank of Madison
show, that on the Oath of September,
1875, Treasurer Betz was charged with
SO, 900, which left balance due him of
$204.47; and on the 25th day of the same
month, he deposited, $4,000 showing
that he still had confidence in the Bank.
This confidence was no doubt stimulat-
ed by the fact that Gen. Mills had ac-
cepted the check, and given his receipt
Tor $4,000. On the same day, the
Bank books show, that Gen. Mills was
credited with $13, GOO, which was the
$1O,O check, with So, 900 in drafts on
Milwaukee.
Thus stands the record, and it will be
seen that the transaction, so far as Mai
Baetz is concerned, is completed, and is
entirely honorable and correct in every
respect. The $4,000 was paid over to
the Hospital Treasurer, and his regular
receipt for the same was obtained from
said Treasurer, who was thoroughly ac-
quainted with the affairs of the bank;
had been its former President, and had
kept his own deposits in it.
Thus much for the facts, in regard to
the conduct, as between Maj. Bfetz and
Gen. Mills. Now, as to the hopsital
fund. That institution is not, and has
never been, out one cent, in consequence
of the non payment of this $4,000 by
the Bank of Madison. The Treasurer.
Gen. Mills, had made good to the hospit-
al, all that was due it, including this
$4,000. The Treasurer has explained
the matter IN his report, as not having
been received, but as he has said to the
board, this explanation was simply to
preserve his legal rights, as against Mai.
Bet1, whom he claims is liable to him
[MillsI for the amount; but the. hospital
has had the use of every dollar due it.
including the SO, eco in dispute.
Now, as the matter stands, the cues
ton of liability as to the so, 900, is
wholly between Gen. Mills and Mai.
Baetz. The State has nothing to do with
the matter, and has lost nothing on ac-
count of it, nor can it ever lose ANYTHING
on account of 1t. Both Mills and Baetz
are sbundantly able to lose the $4,000,
whenever 1T is adiudged who shall do it.
As the Democrat has expressed its opin-
Ion tn 1t Maj. Bsetz is liable to the
State for this 100000" we viii give it
as our opinion, that the State has no
claim against Maj. Betz at all; that if
any one has a claim, it Is Gen. Mills
aud we cannot see that he has one. From
tie fact that Gen. Mills denies having
received this SO, 600, it would appear
to Us, that if the State has a claim against
any one for that amount, it has it against
Gen. Mills, as. Hospital Treasurer. Ii
belongs to him to show cause, why he
does not acknowledge the receipt of the
money ter which he has given his re
ceIpt to the State Treasurer If there is
any discrepancy requiring State. inter
ference, 1t is in Gen. Mills action in the