The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1884-08-29

10 thief and an absconder7 By taking
away all his salary? BY fining him to
double tho amount taken and finally send.
ing him to the penitentiary for q years?
For these penalties have already been
visited in part on my head and the re-
mainder shaken threatenin9ly in my face
in letters and kilograms to the press Of
the country. II tl,is were my moral duty
to another I am glad to say that I have
. heart that sought more merciful So
luton Of the question.
In the settlement Of this matter be-
tween the ex-treasurer and myself, in
order to see my way clearly and do that
which was right l held tMee things as
necessary. LIST. Absolute security to the
county. End. That the ex-treasurer had
intended no harm. 3rd. That no one
should suffer harm in any way.
LIST. To prove the security, 1 had a
knowledge Of the ex-tTeasurer's business
his property and the interest he had at
stake. had bond in the sum of $l5. 600
which was almost identical with the one
which now secures me against the Penn
bina Bank, at the present time, and
which reads ''if said treasurer shall nav
over and deliver all money, ETC., then the
bond shall be null and void, otherwise of
full force and effect"
End. To prove the ex-treasurer's in.
tentions and motives, had the fact
that lie voluntarily turned over the Office
to me, thereby bringing to my knowl-
edge that which he might have concealed
by retaining the Office himself. He also
knew that the matter was open to the
county commissioners at any time they
chose to look TOR it. He knew that had
bitter enemies who would always be on
the lookout for anything they could get
against me. knew that he had handl-
ed sums Of money hugely in excess of
his bonds, that his books showed no
effort to cover any deficiency, that his in
terest and reputation as business man
were worth much more than the sum in
question. I, therefore, failed to see any
dishonest intention. If man takes your
horse without permission lie is thief he.
fore the law. If your neighbor takes
your horse without permission you may
be angry at his unwarrantable liberty
with your property, but you will not COLI
slider him thief unless you have reason
to believe that he intends to keep that
which he has taken. Whether the ex
treasurer had borrowed money which
he had no right to take or not l had no
legal knowledge, l only knew that there
was balance due the county and as he
did not conceal 1t or seek to evade the re-
sponsibility, was bound to believe in
the integrity of his motives and there.
fore gave him the opportunity to carry
out his intentions. That he did not sue
coed as soon as lie expected, that lie
thereby brought himself and friends into
trouble, but that he did raise the money
and paid everything in full are now mat
ten Of public knowledge, and show at
least that my judgment of his character
was correct.
! To prove the 3rd necessity. that no one
should suffer harm, had on hand q
larger sum Of money At all times than wa
needed to gu ell demands as they came
In the natural order Of business, and If
needed more ! could always eall on tie
ex.treasurer or bis bondsmen foe the bal.
snes.
Nov, il the money was secure, Il it va.
not needed, and the ex.treasurer had
done nothing sor which should max.
myself the instrument Of punishment
4 Why slsouid hsys done Otherwise thar
\ to give him . chance to right himsel
with the county and the wosidfs i thougil
Il the best nay. Time aud adverse circun,
stances hsvs shown that l ~ ~ ousrsc
| In I'll particulasl I have ~ belpsd III
Iex,tss lnlrsr. have mil 4 nyssKt,
tbs yilsst IA ind r ~ I'm
4 UT a. !. = tsall :! Y noays''
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