Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1878-08-24
THE STATE TREASURY.

We print to-day 4 report made by
Treasurer Gates to the governor, dated
August 18th. which shows that instead
of 500. 3S32l, there was in the Mastin
bank when it failed. the sum OF SOLO
3S3.2l. The report explains how this
came about, and while we are still 10th
to believe that Col. Gates has intention
ally jeopardized the state moneys. the
only other inference that can be drawn
from the exhibit is that he permitted
himself TO be overreached by the Mas
tins. and was by them induced to on
tinuc dePositing with them large sums
OF money alter they were in n failing
condition. The facts are bad enough
without the eXaggrration and false
reports which have been indu>trlousiy
circulated by the ST. Louis Evening Post
and Kansas City Journal. The state
check upon the Mastin bank when he
went into Office, Tor y large sum OF money,
and that he has carried il ever since.
is set 1t rest by Mr.. Mercer, who holds
the cancelled check. long since paid.
The further rumorS ut the h%ypothcca-
ton OF bonds by the treasurer to secure
money To pay the states July interest. is
exploded in the Jefferson City cores
pondence OF the st. Louis Republican.
which we reproduce also. So far as
these two points are concerned the
public will rest satisfied. and the
high character Tor integrity. which
Col. Gates has always borne, caused
L general dishe.ie: that anything of the
KIND could be possible. But there IS still
3 feeling Of uneasinesS concerning this
matter which 4 only be set NJ rest by
i clear and lull report by the treasurer.
at the character and strength of the ST.
curitieS upon which the state must de-
pend tor the reimbursement OF the sums
involved. This is 4 reasonable demand,
and should be a. promptly met As cir,
cum>tanceS viii permit. There should,
however. be due allowance made for the
time required by Col. kcrsey Coates,
the assignee of the bank, to thoroughly
Investigate It's condition. This, we un
dcr,tand. from an Interview with hin
! printed III the Kansas City Journal OF
Commerce. he is doing rs rapidly a
possible. In that interview he stated
| that the assets of the bank. rs already
listed. were considerably larger than
the liabilities, but ventured no opinion
As to the actual value OF the former. Al
the earliest practicable moment. then.
we look for the state treasurer to fur,
nlsh 10 the people OF the state accurate
Information regarding the ability of III,
bank TO pay, and the exact strength Of
the collateral and personal security tol
whatever balance remains by it unpaid
In addition 10 this, and before this be.
comes possible, We think. IS We have
heretofore stated. that section Is. article
II OF the constitution. should be Immc'
i.ateiv put in effect. or that all money!
coming III should be kept in the treasury
vaults. Ii neither II OF these thing:
! seems advisable to the treasurer, ht
sIould. At least, cease his deposits in tht
b lnk OF st. Joseph, the principal pro
prietor of which j. one Of his sureties Il
the state. and which has. more or less
been mixed UP with the unfortunate
complications of the treasury depart
ment. Col. Gates has been. and is
even now, highly trusted By the de
mocracy Of Missouri, and 1t looks tc
him for 4 v!ntication Of that trust.