Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-01-07
Tne story of the Burglary of a BiIl.

On the morning Of May %, 1882, the World
published article entitled The Last Disgrace Of
the Forty-second General Assembly," It Is IN the
following words: "In his proclamation converting
the Legislature in extraordinary session April 9th
last Gov. Hawkins recommended the enactment
of suitable legislation for the protection OF the
funds in the State treasury, as 1t was suggested
that under the forty cent tax levied meet the In
terest on the proposed Observation-Disclosures set
Element there would be q large amount of money
in the treasury unappropristed. In obedience to
this provision of the governors proclamation a
poiDtment of committee to examine
necss.syy a 10 Protect or secure IT. This
resolution was resisted in the House on the
ground that the appointment OF committee
and the resolution was amended so as simply 10
require report to the condition of the treasury
from the comptroller and treasurer: This was
made few days before the close of the second
session, and too late for any action thereon.
This report showed that there was then In the
treasury in round numbers $40 900 and that there
were warrants outstanding to the amount OF
slIO OO0 leaving q net balance in the treasury of
$5lS,0o0. But the report did not show where said
amount OF money was or in what bank deposited.
A supplemental report was then demanded show
ing where the amount OF money was deposited,
This supplemental report was made the last day
and demands for it. This was done in the
House, but no bill was introduced upon the
subject. A bill was introduced and passed the
Senate providing for the securing and investing OF
this fund, and was sent to the House. but from
some cause THIS Dill was never uedIQ Oh III tue
House, and disappeared. Nothing therefore was
done at the second extra session upon this sub
ject. When the third extra session was called the
governor again called the attention OF the Legis-
lature TO this subject, and accordingl' proceed
fnss were commenced earlier in the session. A
committee WIS sppointed to examine the condi-
ton OF the treasury, and 1t was found that the
treasurer had made no bond since 1877, when he
was first elected, and that this bond had never
been renewed, and that one Of his securities on
his bond had died; that the amount of the bond
showed that there $500 900 in the treasury
Incorporated. Under section III of the Code it
is made the duty of the governor to require the
treasurer to give additional bond whenever the
circumstances of the case demand it. No addi-
tional bond had been given, nor has the old bond
which was given in 1S71-S ever been renewed,
although the law requires that the treasurerelect
shall execute bond in the sum of 500 900 before
enteriog upon the discharge of his duties This
has never been done though Mr.. Polk has twice
been his own successor. The committee reported
these facts to the House together with bill re-
curing the treasurer to give such ad-
the governor may, in his discretion, re-
quire.. This bill passed the House after serious
opposition from the friends of the treasurer and
was transmitted to the Senate when 1t passed two
readings and was by the clerk of the Senate
locked up in his desk last Saturday evening. Sat
urday night or Sunday night the clerks desk was
secretly entered by some unknown person and
the bill stolen. Yesterday morning it was dis
covered. The desk was open and the bill was
discovered that an attempt had also been made to
enter the desk of the clerk OF the House of Repre-
sentatives. The marks of the chisel which the
burglar had used were upon the deskv