Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1884-04-08

LIBERTY, VA, January 26, 1884.
l desire to make the following statement
to the Finance Committee of the House of
Delegates of Virginia. held the office of
Treasurer of Bedford county from 1st July,
1879, until December 10, 1881. Since 1881
have been in arrears with the Auditor of
Public Accounts, and large balance is
shown upon his books against me. Losses
incurred through no intentional fault and
carelessness in keeping my accounts have
involved me. expected to be able to save
all loss to the State and to my sureties un-
til last summer, when, for the first time,
became convinced that very serious loss
threatened my sureties. Unhappy and dis
turbed at the condition of my circumstances,
l felt willing to bear any loss personally,
or submit to any pain from public indigna-
tion, which l knew would follow, and lis
tened to suggestions made by Coalition
leaders in Bedford and elsewhere to seek an
interview with Senator William Mahone.-
They assured me that it would result in an
understanding which would give me relief
and save my sureties from loss.
l went to Petersburg on - day of -.
1888, and there had an interview with SEN
ator Malone in the presence of ]. A. Tan
kisly, the chairman of the Coalition party
in Bedford. l stated to Senator Malone
my embarrassment and my willingness to
run as an Independent candidate against
John X. Thurman, the regular nominee of
the Democratic party. He advised and
urged me to run. He said that the money
to relieve me could not be raised by the
party, for that amount would buy three or
four districts, but that Coalition Legisla-
ture was certain to be elected, and I need
have no fear whatever about my indebted
ness; that bill could easily be passed to
relieve me; that could certainly pay it all
in bonds at fifty cents in the dollar, and
that; should not be interfered with by the
officers of the State. but should have time,
as much time as I wanted-six years. if
necessary, to pay in bonds.
After this, j. Fl. Van Auken, who had
been previously sent to Bedford to speak,
and who was presented to me as a trusted
Coalition leader in the confidence of Ma
hone, and F. P. Blair, Attorney-G General,
said to me and assured me that no legisla-
tion was necessary to enable the Auditor
to settle with me in State bonds; that he
would see Blair and Brown Allen, and write,
and it would be all right.
Van Aukcn did write to j. A. Tankisley
letter, in which he said he had seen both
these officers, and that this arrangement
could and would be made. saw and read
the letter, and, unfortunately, believed it.
saw Mr.. Blair, the Attorney General,
and had one interview with him. He told
me to go ahead and run; that all the papers
were in his hands, and that no Judgment
ment should bother me; that he would hold
it back. He further said that his party
never deserted its friends; that need have
no uneasiness, and that should have time
and his help in my difficulties. ceuld not
get from him anything more definite, bot
his manner was so cordial and his declara-
tions SO strong as to his ability and willing
ness to help me that 1 believed and relied
upon him. Ihave seen and read his letters
to j. A. Tankisley, Coalition chairman of
Bedford county, and in them assurances of
help were repeated.
My sureties did not know of my liabilities.
Only one notice just before the campaign
was served ON me by Mr.. Brown Allen, the
Auditor, and that for small portion of my
Indebtedness, and this notice Mr.. Blair
promised me should not bother me.
After the election Mr.. Blair promptly
took Judgment on the small amount, but
got none on my sureties, because notice
was served on the wrong bond
l have surrendered all my property. 1t
is matter of deep grief to me that it will
not me ct my liabilities, and that my sure
ties are involved in heavy loss. have vol
untarrily made this statement with no hope
of help for myself, but having been made
to suffer most severely by my trust in men
who occupied high positions in the public
service, and deserted by them in the hour
of disaster, think it right that they should
share in the blame so freely cast upon me.
State Of Virginia, County Of Bedford
TO Un =
Personal y appeared before me ]. M. Pc
ters, of Liberty, Bedford county, and made
oath that the foregoing statement was made
to him on the 26th of January, 1884, by
John G.. Kasey, who declared his willing
ness to make affidavit to the facts therein
set forth, and that the said foregoing state
ment was written down at the time from
john G. Kasey's own words, and he has
frequently heard said Kasey make the same
statements in presence of others; and said
J. M. Peters further says that said John G.
Kasey having fled the country before max
ing affidavit to his statement, he is desirous
of laying these alleged facts before the
General Assembly of Virginia that they
may summon the parties therein named
and investigate fully the alleged corrupt
bargain.
Given under my hand this the 30th day
of January, 1884.
JOHN M. SPECIE,
Notary Public