The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1881-03-15

rSSRA DISPOSITION OF THE BONDS 1878.
,uowiur communication addressed to the Speaker
TIC som the Attorney General and read to the Assem-
Ny onsut moved that the communication with acconpa
MI documents, be spread upon the Journal;
plIns N vas agreed to.
MDS sJlowing is the communication
ATTORNEY GENERALS OFFICE, Z
TALLAHASSEE, Fla, March 3, 1875
u.xLL HARRIS,
Speaker Of the assembly:
IN the seventh day of March A. D. 1879, the Assem-
s,s s nsssed the following resolution
sen That the Attorney General is hereby directed
ne into the circumstances of the origin and dispos
10 e+bp bonds issued in 1873, and ascertain whether
Ton should not be instituted against the late Comptroller c.
sa I and L. p Bayne & Co., for the recovery of the
Of the bonds illegally sold and also for conspiracy to
d bonds referred to the State bonds authorized by
t entitled act relating to the Indebtedness Of the
INC NJ snnroycd February %, 1873
Sate branch of the Legislature can give
officer separate department of the government power
dmne oaths and compel the attendance of witnesses
the production Of papers, the above resolution does not
nd to Wishing, however, to obtain as best could
N information the points embraced in the resolution and
always ready to the Assembly determined to act
% the resolution and test the feasibility of satisfactory
attainment of its purposes.
who were members of the Legislature of 1873 letters,
;no them to inform whether there came to their knOw
loo sny facts circumstances constituting fraud in the pro-
"nt of the passage such act and if any, what they
- and who could substantate the and requesting
M names all parties concerned. From the Hons j. B.
Browne of Monroe county, Bryant, of Polk county, F.
n Crawford, Of Wakula county, NJ A. Knight, of Clay
tr B. F. Overos of st. Johns county, all of whom voted
@ the passage of the act received the replies transmit
81 herewith and marked respectively Nos ], 2, B. and g.
also received from the Hons A. D. McKnnon, of Washing
.oo county. A. l.. McCaskl. of Walton county Charles
TFmnon of Columbia county and HOrato Jenkins of Duva
who respectively voted for the act the accompanying
,es marked Nos 7, g. O. 10 and ii. From the Hon. W. r.
Ts Of Bradford county, received the reply marked No.
tho Z dave f
b copy transmitted herewith marked No. Ii, but have
received do reply.
Ia the Committee 1879 and different reports to be found
Journals relating the disposition of the bonds con-
nei if would we'll and nothing than fair to give
Wssrs Cowgirl and Bayne Co., opportunity to make their
statements particularly neither of them were before the
committee of 1879. which took Governor Reeds testimony
M reporc the above resolution Understanding that Mr.
Brne was willing to come Florida and be examined adj
dressed him of which copy is transmitted herewith
marked and received in reply the letter marked No. 10
After this wrote Mr. Bayne the letter marked No. 49, and
received reply letter marked No II, and afterwards received
No. Is and the printed statement marked No. ls which
s not
Mr. Cowgirl fled with the accompanying paper marked
No 30 which is copy of original signed by Robert ii.
Gamble ESQ., and Judge David S. Walker, which have seen,
and the paper marked No. which is to by him and is
of his dealings and doings in the premises
After meeting of the present Legislature informed
gentleman that Ex-Governor Reed had stated that he had
additional testimony what he had given against Mr. Cow
gill him stating this fact and requesting him to COM
muncae copy of my letter and his original re-
muncatiOn 1t will he that he does not directly
inquiry additional testimony but refers to testimony
which he used before the committee of 1872 but not
published the journals Of that session. Immediately made
search for these papers, but have been unable to find them
even with the assistance of your courteous Chief Clerk and
the Hon. Secretary of State whose office such papers
usually filed upon the adournment of the Legislature.
have also made inquiry of the different who it
has occurred might furnish testimony information
leading to testimony to the establishment of fraud in the
passage of the act but though many good had and have
grave suspicious am compelled to say that thus far have
lilo IF
the consideration Of the different reports of committees and
officers and the testimony be found in the journals and my
own Inquiries feel it to be my duty say that would not
satisfied to bring suits against Mr. Cowgirl Bayne Co.
These the questions referred to me, but for fuller and
satisfactory Investigation and permanent settlement Of the
questions which are of much Importance not only to the par
lies named but to the State, think committee should be
appointed under act and given power to administer oaths
and send for persons and papers Without such powers
nnsvey searched all the of information Such
statute is now pendng in the Legislature.
have the honor to be, very respectfully,
GEO. p RANEY, Attorney General.
The following documents accompanied the same;
No IL
KEY WEST, Fla, October ;, 1879
Hon Gro RAxEY,
Attorney General Tallahassee:
DEAR SIR-In reply to your letter of the oath u will say
@ have no knowledge of facts circumstances constituting
@ the disposition of the bonds referred to- but as there
were mmOrs that effect voted did for the purpose OF
getting an explanation from Mr.. Cowgirl of the matter
Yours respectfully,
JOSEPH g. BROWNE
No.
SPETSG HILL. Polk County, Fla, October 5, 1879
GR RASEY,
attorney General:
DEAR S-In reply to yours of September a. have
mat was not possession of any facts circumstances
!utng fraud the time of giving my vote, on the occur
renee to which your letter refers nor am at this time in pos
On Of Ny vote in reference the bonds approved