The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1883-03-07
INVESTIGATING POLK.

Interrogations Submitted the DefauItipg e
Treasurer of Tennessee With Regard to
His spsculations and Proposed Com
promise.
NASHVILLE, Tenn, March 2-The Legisla-
tive Subcommittee investigating the condi-
tion OF the Treasury on Monday proposed to
ex-Treasurer Polk fourteen interrogatories, to
be answered under oath. The first was an
inquiry as to the disposition of the $50, ,oOOin
United States bonds. The seventh interro-
gatory was as 10 the amount of Tennessee
bank notes and bonds with which Polk's
attorneys proposed to make good his liabili-
ty TO the State bonded TO him, or what pro-
portion was taken by him as colleterals for
the money loaned. The fourteenth inferno
gatory was as to how he obtained credits
with banks by which his Treasury
accounts were made to appear
correct. The other interrogatories relate to
the disposition of the accum ulated funds in
the Treasury Immediately prior to the va
csncy OK the office: II be 1T any time dealt
in Bank Of Tennessee notes, and what be-
came of them; whether be speculated in
Memphis or Charleston stock, and who were
engaged with him In such speculations;
also, his relations with Victor Newcomb, OF
New York, and the nature of his trans
actions with him.
Polk, in reply, does not answer the first
and fourteenth interrogatories, as to the dis
position of the United States bonds and
manner of obtaining credits with banks
being advised not to answer By his counsel,
as the questions would involve matters now
in litigation in the Criminal and Chancery
Courts.
In answer to question he says: ''In the
mQ0. NV
attorneys, by some relatives and friends,
understand they expected out of the assets
attached by the State and my securities to
realize the last payment of $75, 600 in a new
issue of the Bank OF Tennessee, contem-
plated in said proposition. With that ex
ception | had no interest whatever in the
bonds or new issue therein offered. fur
nished none of it, nor was any of IL fur
nished or to be furnished by anyone out of
any assets or means of mine held by them
to my knowledge, and no part OF said
money or bonds was ever taken or held by
me or collected for me and loaned
to anyone else" He says further,
that he had $500 when he left
Nashville; that his kinsmGn, Van Polk,
had no money belonging to him when he
went 10 Mexico; has no property or money
or securities held by Others in trust for
him. that he did deal in the new issue of
the Bank of Tennessee notes, and probably
had at that time $4,000 of them; had in
invested S45, 600 in the mine in Mexico,
which is to be paid 10 him out of the first
receipts of the enterprise. Did deal in
Memphis and Charleston stocks in 1881 and
| 1882, and made considerable mony. bu5 had
no partners in the speculation. Did not re-
member to have at any time gone into stock
speculations with Mr.. Victor Newcomb.
May have invested in some stock upon his al
woe and the same may have given directions.
Does no. remember TO have had any private
| transactions with MIN. Polk further claims
| that in justice has been done him in the
Committees publication of the experts re-
port and says there was not an inveStiga io.
OF his Office from the time ne took charge
down TO April. 1881. that was not strictly
correct and true, and as 10 those made after
that date as the suits referred to above In
volve them, he shall not speak. ''In con
clusion," be says, whatever of wrong has
been done in the management of my Office
| am the responsible one therefor, and
cherish the hope, that sooner or lsier, II
have wronged the State may be able 10 re-
| pay IL all, ~