Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-01-12
CAPT. J. c, FLEMING's

PRELIMINARY STATEMENT CONCERNING THE
TREAsUR ER's OFFICE BEFokE HIS EXAM
INATIoN BY THE COMMITTEE.
The following statement was made TO the
legislative committee on Wednesday by
Capt. James c. Fleming, secretary of Treas
urer Marsh 7. Polk:
GENTLEMEN OF THE ConM1TTEE-while holding
my self ready and willing to undergo any special
examination you may desire TO make touching
n. 7. Polks administration of the same, beg
permission to submit a brief preliminary state
ment respecting my personal and oineial feianons ms
general terms, the substance of what know con
cerning the great calamity that has just oyertaken
him and the state. am keenly sensible OF the
delicate and embarrassing situation in which the
painful developments OF the last few days have
placed me, yet the very generous consideration
aHd the pubic relieves me OF any apprehension
thst the statement may offer viii be treated as
simply an attempt at selfexculpation.
Its generally well known to all who have had
dealings with the State treasury within the time,
that for nearly five years have been the clerk OF
the Office in charge of It's books and generally at
tending TO ali its ministerial duties. may say,
was something more than this, was Col. Polk 3
devoted personal friend, and have been from the
iHvs of ny youth, nv confidence in his fidelity
and personal integrity was unlimited, ana haz-
ard nothing in saying the trust was reciprocal
Mutual confidence was the rule of our friendship,
ana when, at any time, observed reticence on his
part toward me, in regard TO either personal or
official matters, could have assigned any hOnor-
able reason for such retieence sooner than q dis
trust of my personal fidelity. During the greater
portion of the time have been boarder at his
table, and have been treated and have felt myself
virtually as a member of his family. The per
sonal relations between brother and brother
could hardly be more intimate and cordial than
those between Col. Polk and myself. While. in
respect to official duties, we sustained the reia'
tioIl of principal and clerk, our associations
otherwise were those Of personal and social equals
and / might be permitted here to say that the
consec uences of the present disaster TO myself
personally, have scarcels been CO s dered by me
ealsmity. 81 on account Of Col Polk and his tamil
have overwhelmed me. Beyond aud aside from
all possible responsipllues oi GelSsnin Ks Gsn
misfortune that mas so crushed friend whom
had never known consciously guilty of dishon
whose roof ever felt the welcome OF home; SC
that H. in submitting TO you all the facts within
my knowledge las | am ready to do), s91uic ,s,t,
witness rather than the alacTity OF swift accuser
beg you TO charge the appearance 10 that instinct
OF onr common nature which prompts 70 ngnten
the stroke that is falling on friend, rather thar
10 purpose on my part 70 withhold from you an,
legitimate evidences within my knowledge or pos
The books of the ONCE, together with all otieia
napers under my control, are already submitted u
the office correctly kept All proper entries OF re
ceipts and disbursements have been made, q
proper times and places, and vouchers Will b
short. he books of the Office show exactly whs
amount Of money ought to be in the treasury
From the smount in the treasury vault, or safe
and the yerihed statements OF the accounts wi Z
tine several bank repositories, the amount setuall
in the treasury can be readily sscertsined.
AS this part of my testimony Is not intended
he specifc as TO details. will not encumbe it wit
statements already exhibited 10 you, ano whic
have, in great part aireaoy oeen iurnisnea 70 IN
| fuV books With every dollar for which the book
ofthe comptroller hold him responsible, you bav
| already discovered, and need hardly state tbs
| NOT q dollar has reached the treasury. exeeT
| through the regular ehannel OF tie comptroller
| office.
II is impossible for me 10 inform you what becorn
| OF the nopsy. Ny duties were simply clertca