Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1881-03-18
Sacramento, March II, 1881.
TREASURER Wells LETTER.

EDS. RECORD UNION Below l give an
explanation of my position in regard to the
suit recently begun to test the legality of the
Debris Act. Knowing your willingness
at all times to give an impartial hearing in
all matters of public veal, I address this
communication TO you, hoping you will give
it place in your valuable paper.
Getting Ahead of a Writ. I'm reply to
an editorial OF the San Francisco ChTontcle,
under the above title, would say, more for
the benefit of the citizens of this State than
in reply to said paper, that / did not receive
telegram from any source whatsoever land
| defy the Chronicle to produce onel, that a
writ of prohibition had been issued by the
Supreme Court also that | did not know
that it was the intention of said Court to
issue one until my attention was called on
Monday morning to an article in the papers
to that effect.
Further let me state that l deny the asser-
ton that conspiracy had been entered into
by me with any of the State officers, nor did
l have any consultation or conversation with
them in regard to this matter, as the different
officers are supposed to and do know what
the duties of their respective departments
sre, and do not interfere with those of an
other.
As regards the warrants paid to the Saera-
mento Bank on Monday, would say that
upon opening the office at 10 o'clock A. NJ. on
Monday, Mr.. Hamilton. Cashier of said
bank, presented for payment warrants to the
amount OF 500. 352 81. Not being cognizant,
as / stated above, of any writ having been
issued, paid the warrants, thereby fulfilling
my duty as State Treasurer; and right here
let me add that the above amount OF warrants
were paid before IL o'clock A. NJ of the 14th
instant, which was, the agent of Mr.. Merry
informed me, before the writ had been OBJ
tanned, as it was not issued until after that
time, at the morning session of the Supreme
Court In the city of San Francisco on Mon
day the 14th instant.
The article states that the delay of q
hours enabled warrants to the amount OF
S264, 12l As to be drawn on the Treasury.
This statement IS base fabrication and
wholly without foundation, as all warrants
! paid on Monday had been issued several
months ago, the latest drawn bearing date Of
| December 3, 1880. | would add that there
has been no warrant drawn by the Controller
on either Of the drainage funds since January
), 1881.
In reference to warrants of the State dealt
in by the banks and money brokers' / would
say that it is customary for said dealers t.
present all warrants received by them at this
Office to ascertain If they are payable or rot
aud in the majority of cases upon being in.
formed that they were payable, not needing
the money, they retained said warrants unit
they had accumulated a sufficient number
or until they required the money, when they
would present them for payment.
In accordance with the above custom, tbs
Sacramento Bank from time to time, as they
received warrants, would present them with
the inquiry as to whether they would b,
cashed, and being informed either in the af
6rmative or negative, as the case might be
they noted reply and would retain the war
! rants, as they were less trouble to keep thai