The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-08-09
The f7incr Dcfascatfon.

MILWAUKEE. WIS, August 3.-The re-
cent cyposc OF William II. Iliner, late
treasurer Of the Grand Lodge OF Masons OF
Wisconsin, has caused great astonlshment
throughout the State. Ever since the meet
mo OF the Grand Lodge in this city, in
Iulc last. il has been known In Masonic
circles that Mr.. Hincr was dehclent IN MS
accounts as treasurer to the extent OF
nearly $4,000. He then was in attendance
at the sessions OF the lodge. and promised
10 make good the deficit within twenty
DAYS. With their Masonic charity ana Sc
crccv for which the order Is sad TO De pro-
yprbia! the matter was kept quiet IN view
al the promised early settlement. But the
promise not having been fulfilled. and the
Executive Committee OF the Grand Lodge
having been instructed to collect the amount
dile from Nj. HncrS bondSmen. some OF the
brethren began to leak, and within the last
two DAYS the scandal has become public
properiy. From the mass OF idle rumors
which are ailoat the following IS stated rs
the facts in the case: Mr.. Hiner has been
treasurer Of the Grand Lodge for. nine
wears. He is 4 resident or Fond du Lac,
and for twcnty-eight years has been an
active businessman OF that city. For about
fifteen years last past he has been part pro-
nrictor OF the Union Iron-wolks, OF Fond
du Lac, an establishment which did large
business in the foundry line and the manu-
facture OF n!ill-machinery and stationary
engines. Mr. liners reputation as a cltl-
zen and businessman was OF the best. lie
was prominent Mason, rs witness MS re-
ppated reflections to the office or trust
which he held for so many consecutive
wears. His business being in such a
prosperous condition, and his standing
~, i'll, hn1 sn
was considered by his Republican friends
=. the most eligible candidate for official
honors. Accordingly he was three tiReS
consecu.ivciy elected senator from the west
crn district OF Fond du Lac county. His
experience at Madison doubtless turned the
head OF man who is naturally OF retir-
inc disposition and fond OF home-life. He
began to have ambition for higher office.
and made repeated efforts for place on the
state ticket. Sharper politicians than he
carried oil the pcrSimmons and allowed
him to foot the bills. He was much in the
society OF class Of political fgurerS OF en-
pcusiyc habits. and it is more than suspect
ed that Hiner paid more than his share OF
political assessments and other Madison en-
DenSes Hard times came on. Politics dis
lracted Hinel'S attention from his business,
which began TO suffer y treasurer OF the
Grand Lodge. he had in his control S4,0O0
10 $4,000 in United States bonds, and as
much more i'll State bonds. in 1874
the United States bonds were hypothe-
Gated for an advance OF money to be
used in his business. So the succeeding
year the State bonds went the same way, it
being Mr. liners intention. rs it always is
OF treasures in such cases, to make the de-
tict good in short time. And ii business
had been good he undoubtedly would have
squared mp. But business never got good
since, but kept growing worse. And last
spring the firm OF which he is 4 member
Went into bankruptcy-an6 4 terrible record
it was. In the mean time, at each annual
election OF the Grand Lodge for treasurer,
Mr.. liners statement OF account was au-
dited, found correct, and passed. No one
ever dreamed OF asking TO see and feel OF
the bonds entrusted to his care They were
reported /" on hand" and that was enough.
Prominent brother Masons signed his OIL
cial bond on the asking. Hon. II. l.. Pal
mer, OF this city, has been on the bond Il
number OF times, but is not liable
upon any Of them. as the defaca-
tons have taken place since he ceased
to be bondsman. The bondsmcn now
liable are Hon. Gabc Bouck, OF Oshkosh !;
John s. Burrows, John Spence, G. +. kolk,
and Judge y. 4. G!inn, OF roma. du Lac.
These gentlemen, with the exception OF
Bouck, are on for separate years, and their
liability will he limited TO the deficits IN
those years. But Gabe Bouck is liable Tor
the whole amount, and grimiv declares that
every cent shall DE made good to the lodge.
Mr.. Hiner, although he expresses himself
as confident OF being able to pay in full in
short time, is unable to do anything OF
the sort at present, and those who know
best tue condition OF his affairs are unable
to see where or how be can make settle
,ment He feels deeply the position in which
nc is placed, for he was man we'll known
and respected throughout the State, and
against whom no previous dereliction could
be charged.-Letter In Chicago Times.