New-York tribune., 1879-11-25
GRAVE STATEMENTS CURRENT.
wnAr PEOPLE SAY At THE c.prrM-orrIc1AL rx-

ture has been whispered freely IN TINS city the past
week but was not openly talked about until
The TRIBUYE's editorial to-day dragged 1t
ont. 1t was to the effect that Controller Olcott
had discovered deficiency of several thousand
dollars the cash account of the State Treasurer
and had formally applied to Governor Robinson IN
writing for the suspension of Mr.. Mackin.
Under the State laws the Controllers Office and
the State Treasurer act as a check upon each other
in the disbursement of the public money. No
money belonging to the State can be drawn from a
bank except a warrant has been drawn by the Con-
troller aud on that warrant check has been issued
10y the Treasurer. which in turn has been counter
signed by the Controller. Every thirty days, and
oftener If he deems it necessary, the Controller is
required bv law to compare his books showing the
disbursements and receipts of the public money
with those of the Treasurer.
1t was not one of these monthly comparisons, but
IL was one made at irregular time lin consequ-
ence, apparently, of some suspicOnl which led Con-
troller Olcott 1t is said TO make his complaint The
deficiency, 1T is reported amounted to over 81 900
State Treasurer Mackin and his deputy. Mr.. Hance
were absent from the city when the discovery of the
irregularities was made, the State Treasurers
Office being i'll charge of Frank Carpenter. the
cashier. The outline of the story as given here,
and persisted in, IN spite of the qualified and cauti-
ous denials of of the officials concerned. and
the fiat contradiction Of others. is given herewith,
together with fair report of what the officials
themselves say.
1t is stated that Controller Olcot called upon Mr.
Carpenter to make good the deficiency, and that
the latter profered, among other assets the per-
sonal check of Mr.. Mackin for SJ 400. and that Mr.
Olcott refused to accept tins as " cash. lt Is
further alleged that Mr.. Carpenter claimed
that there was deficiency, and said that
if Mr. Mackin and Mr.. Hance were present
some checks that were not ndorsed could be used
in making up the leash" Mr.. Olcot then, 1t is
said demanded that the checks should be shown
hIm. Mr.. Carpenter declined to show them, II Is
asserted, and then Controller Ococtt wrote TO Gov
ernor Robinson requesting that Mr.. Mackin should
be suspended and some one put in charge of the
office Controller OlcOtt took this step, not only
for his own protection but also because he IS ex-
pressly commanded by State law to report any de-
reelection on the part of the State Treasurer at once
TO the Governor.
THE GOVERNOR CALLS IL AN EXPERT.
The Governor 1t is declared, at once sent for
Richard G.. Milks. who acted as cashier for state
Trcasurers Ranes and Ross. and now holds position
in the Canal Auditors Department. and directed him
10 take charge of the books the Treasurers office
and report the amount of the alleged deficiency
Nj Milks entered the State Ireasurers office on
Thursday last and carefully examined the bank
books and leash during that and the following
day.
The latter part of the week the missing " cash."
il is asserted was made good by Mr.. Mackin at Mr.
Olcott's house. Since then it has been boldly ana
truthfully announced that there is no deficiency IN
the department accounts.
Mr. Milks is still retained and he has found that
the hooks of the State Treasurer balance bnt he
does not retire that the task is done, ana IL
nor 10 remain TIL Mr. Wendell, the Republican
State Treasurer-elect, enters on his duties.
WHAT CONTROLLER OLCO1T SAYS.
With the intention of learning the facts concern
ing all the rumOrs about the state treasurer
Office the correspondent of TEE TRIBUNE visited
several of the state officers to-day, and made the
necessary inquiries.
lie first called upon Controller OlcOtt and asked
him il he had requested Governor Robinson TO sus-
pend State Treasurer Mackin.
Mr. Olcott replied You must 60 and ask Gov
ernor Robinson that question"
"But YOU can answer il 7" said the correspondent.
Undoubtedly: but don't think 1t my duty TO
help THE Tribune to prove charge against d h's"
public officer" answered Mr.. Olcott. c..y
But yOIr own office IS concerned IN lhls ahdI
81 don't think II is In the least
Was there any deficiency IN MI MachihS
cash - continued the correspondent.
"Thc affairs of this office straight, and that Is
all have under my control A.
" How often do you compare tue DOohs Vi '"o
S'a'e Treasurer WIN : your how Uw We stand amply to
the banks for a statement OF the amount
Of State money deposited IN, IN 'ne,n' othSr Im%
bonks discover without the assistance OF INC
Treasurer what amount shouu stan" " '"' Ni'"''
When did YOU last make comparison ~ -,
Inquire of the state Ireasnrer repnen MI Mi;
OlcO.t. and then continued: ms ia" oooA
tnat yOn see states the realOnsOf the state Treas
nrcr with myself tie laws make u my uuty 10 ie
port any deficiency in his department 10 the "o'-
esuOr."
Have you done SOP o. -, .,,...oroa
Really, you must ask the UoNeinoi, a., r",.
tue Controller, and would give no further lnlofma
tOn
THE DEPUTY RISES TO EXPLAIN.
The correspondent then sought the State Treas
urc's Office. There he was informed that Mt.
Mackin was absent and Deputy State treasurer
lance was in charge. Mr. Hance is an amiaDie
young man. who was for number of years In the
employ Of The TRIBUNE. He seems TO have grown
exctable not TO say disingenuous since he got out
of The TRIBUSE's control. and fell INTO bad COM
pany. He asked if there had been a deficiency
III the cash account Of the office.
deficiency 7" Mr.. Hance replied; "No indeed.
Everything correct; we have just taken balance
sheet and the two sides of 1t balance perfectly"
HAS the deficiency been made good 7" inquired
the correspondent.
Il tell you we have no deficiency, and we
have had noDe." replied Mr.. lIance; and
then continued excitedly: "All these ru-
mors, / suppose, out of the fact of Mr.
Milks coming into this Office to help us IN
getting the books ready for Mr. Wendell, the new
htate Treasurer Mr. Milks was employed by Mr.
AaekiD, aud was not ordered here by Governor Rob
inson. He will stay with Us. suppose TIL the
lst of January
Mr.. Mlks, IN reply to an inquiry, stated that the
books of the State Treasurer and his accounts were
hoy at least correct; he had discovered any de-
telency in the cash account he had been requested