Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1883-01-08
POLK'S BIG STEAL.
FURTHER REVELATIONS AS TO
TO HIS METHODS.

A Defalcation Extending Over Five
Aears-Paying for a Silver Mine With
Public Funds-United states Bonds
Carried Oh-Reported Arrest of Polk
at San Antonio.
NASHVILLE, Jan. 6.-Polk LETT the city
on Wednesday afternoon by the North
western train with trunk checked for
Milan, Tenn. A letter dated Milan. jan
uary 4th, was received from him by his
clerk, Mr.. Fleming, on Thurs
day night. Governor Hawkins.
in reply to an inquiry if steps would be
taken for his apprehension, said no appli-
cation has been made for his arrest and his
action will depend on the character of the
application when made. The books in
the Treasurer's office are in good condi-
tion, and the only question is as to the
amount of the deficit, which can be easily
ascertained to-day.
Van Polk's baggage was checked for
New Orleans. Col. Marsh Pollx's family
stayed at Milan Friday night and went TO
Bolivar, their old home. this morning.
The House of Representatives to-day
adopted a resolution for joint COM
mittee to investigate the amount short in
the accounts of the Treasurer; whether the
money was lost by speculation or loaned
to personal friends; whether the defalca-
tion is of recent occurrence or of long
standing; whether conceived by the
Treasurer alone or with the connivance
of others; and report the result as early
as practicable.
1t has thus far been positively dis
covered by proof that the defal-
cation began five years ago;
also tina one check drawn
by the Treasurer for $1,000
went to pay for his interest in a silver
mine in Mexico, and it is believed that he
also supplied money to pay for another in
terest for one of his partners in the mine.
1t is known that $l25, 900 of the public
funds belonging to the Treasurer's ac-
count are on deposit in two of the
Nashville banks, and it is hoped there are
other sums in other banks. Polk had been
interested in various speculative schemes
in Tennessee in large amounts.
In an interview to-day, Representative
Milliken, of the investigating committee,
says: ''Ihe deficit in the Treasurer's ac-
count is over 100000, including fifty
United States thousand-dollar bonds that
have been on hand a year, but cannot be
found. The detalcation began five years
ago, and increased rapidly after the
passage of the hundred and three funding
bill. The testimony shows many specula-
tions in New York, and also shows
that Representative Duncan Cooper's
OH lltG 1ICdbuI1 were
always paid, the clerk being instructed
by Polk to pay them. The orders We're
all in an envelope directed to Polk until a
few days ago, and the supposition is that
Polk took them with him. The testimony
also shows that the late Mai. O'Connor.
killed at Knoxville last November,
owed Polk $4,000 and gave his due
bill, which Polk took with him.
Polk paid the States money for exchange
on San Francisco, with which to pay for
his silver mine in Mexico. The checks
were found in a safe, with no evidence
that they had passed through the hands of
the Comptroller. The books show that
the Mechanics Bank, of Knoxville, owes
the State $4,000, but the bank claims to
have paid the money to O'Connor for
Polk.
The missing United States bonds were
seven-thirties and were the last of the
school fund. Polk was interested with
OConnor in the Gadsden Ore Banks. but
the stock was in O'Connors name. though
100000 of it was paid for out of the State
Treasury. Thousands of dollars of the
checks show that they were drawn by NJ.
1. Polk, Treasurer, and payable to M. It.
Polk, not eountersigned by the Comp
troller.
NEW ORLEANS, Jan. IA special from
San Antonio reports the arrest there of
Marshall and Polk, the defaulting Treas
urer of Tennessee.