New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-01-07
Mitchell and Fell directed the DistrictAttoIneJ W ~
an indictment against Fitzgerald
TREASURER P0LRS DEFALCATIoM
rvr crrrv MAN AIMING FOR .IEXIco-TnE
. EXTENT OF HIS IHtf To
inv TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE

EXTENT OF HIS THEfTs.
Try TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l
NASHVILLE, Tenn. Jan. 6-Ihe case Oh the ue-
faultinq State Treasurer. NJ T.. Polk. has been the
ubject Of general conversation on the s'ree's 'o-
dav. and although kilograms have been sent IN
every direction, nothing has been heard OF Polks
whereabouts Telegraphc advices from Miap' TINS
State. saw that Polk accompanied by his son. van
l.. Polk. and servant, stopped over night
ON Wednesday, checking their baggage
10 New-Orleans. The servant who attended 10
their room said they were all armed to the teeth
Polk was quiet while there, but appeared to be an1
ions TO get on the train. There Is no manner OF
doubt that he is heading for Mexico. where ne is
largely interested In mines. His capture is regard
ed as certain as be has but one leg ana can DO
easily identified. As he did poe pass
New Orleans OF St. LOUIS 1t is the general impression
that he has gone by wav of San Francisco. Inc
Chief of Police of NewOrleans teegraphed Tonight
| that Polk had not passed through that city.
Tonight THE TRIBUNE obtained from Represen-
tative Milliken one Of the Legislative Committee.
| an exact statement of the deficit. which shows
nch Developments. Mr.. Mihken said thorough
| examination of the TreasureTs books had been
made and that the deficit will amount to S4O2.-
| 666 81. This included fifty United States bonds,
| which had been on hand for years. bt cannot now
be found These bonds were brought from the
| Rutter Bank of Memphis, where the schooi
| fund had been deposited. The dehclt Degan
about five years ago. during Polks first term, ana
has been gradually increasing every year, until al
ter the passage of the 1908 act, when increase De-
came very rapid.
| The testimony adduced before the committee
| shows heavy epecuatiOns in New-fork ana great
deal of money loaned out at home. There was an
envelope in a safe containing due bills of various
| al Treas
nry but this envelope taken out of the sale by
Polk two or three days before the deficit became
known, The testimony also showed that the late
| Major Thomas OConnor owed L: about $4,000.
His clerk. Captain Fleming stated before the COM
| mittee that he thought OCOunors due bills were
| given for this money but he was not positive.
| Representative Duncan Cooper's orders were al
WAYS cashed. Flemings orders being to cash orders
| whenever Cooper gave them. Coopers and Folks
mines in Mexico were paid for out
of the treasury, large drafts from
San Francisco being paid by Polk. The books
of the Treasurer show that S25 900 was due the
| State from the Mechanics Bank Of Knoxville OF
| which OConnor was president, but the bank
| informs the committee that the money was pad to
| OConnor II this true IL will Increase y ConhoI
indebtedness; $4,000 stock in Gidsien Ore - IN. m
pany was taken ont OF OConnors haino anu tue
| same was paid tor out Of the treasury.
Polk gave bond whom he went
into Office in 1877, but il was not renewed
H. aoD se 50 bu 1nt of III thu deet occurred While he
| was without bond, he having gwen
bond las[ May SO that ro the able report SgS
| cent and that the State loses il all:
The Leeis ature adopted resolution to-day 70
appoint committee of investigation 10 ascertain
the amount short in the accounts oi tne S,ats
| Treasurer. whether tho fund has been IoSt
and slganndered by speculation, d11 n.TsSo 8sSa
| by him. or in what manner the sum has beoi ta&en
from the State treasury whether the deialcaii"n
Is of recent occurrence or whether II Is OF l3hg
| staudiug; whether IL covers any conslhcrah'e
| length of time; whether tho knoWIedge
Of the true condition OF the treasury ,hy
| was covered up or concealed ron tue
pruper officer, OF the STATE by the Treasurer alone or
with the conniyance and aid Of any officer OF the
state, or with the assistance OF any other person :
| whether any officer OF the State had any
kuowledg or information, either directly or lndl
rectly as TO any speculation, misuse or other I'M
proper disposition or appropriation ol tno Iunu @ oa
having access to the fund.- and, II 80. who SUE u
officer officers person or persons are, ana WHAT
relation they sustained 10 the State. II any
A resolution was introduced III the House TIN.
morning authorizing the Governor to offer reward
of 10000 tor the apprehension oi FOLK.
TIE RYpUpIATIoN SPIRIT RESPONSIBLE.
| CHATTANOOGA, Tenn, Jan. 6.-iuformatiOn from
a Trustworthy source pnts the defacauOn Of State
Treasurer Polk at S5O00OO.
The Times of this city openly charged defalcatlon
when the Treasurer refused to pay the January in
terest and much indignation was expressed at the
time in consequences OF the publication. The same
paper, in an editorial tomorrow will denounce the
spirit of repudiation abroad in the State as largely
responsible for the looseness of the laws and their
non enforcement. and the carelessness of official
| obgatonA thus: There IA no question but the
| habit of a largr section OF our press aud many oi
| our public men of treating lightly, scOrnfuliy and
flppantly the CLAIMS Of the states creditors has ha
a most damaging effect on public morals IN genera!
and has lowered especially the tone OF official
moral s and sense Of obligation. Colonel Polk was
without doubt victim both TO the wrrtchcd loose
| five hnsinrss al Nashville but he also victim
of the prevailing low tone of public honor fosteTed
| by the spirit OF reputation, by the walton and
wicked attempt to read Just an almost generous and
| honorable setilement. This denOnement leaves
Tennessee the very lowest IN the list OF deiautins
States"