Semi-weekly south Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1883-1889, 1885-02-06
WATCHING THE STATES MON.
ET.
How Auditor Hewitt and Treasur.
er Tate Manage the Finances.
Especial Dispatch to The Commercially

Special Dispatch to The Commercially
FRANKFORT, KY, Feb. 3.-The
widely published rumors leading TO
the inference that there was a tre-
mendouS defalcation in some connec-
ton with the State finances, have
aroused considerable indignation
among the FrankfortcrS, who know
the Stale officers well. Yet | found
all Of the officers themselves perfect
ly placid and good-humored when l
dropped into the State-house this
morning to ask some questions about
the affairs of State. Whether there
was any definite origin to the rumor
or not, is now question of better
veracity between Col. HIM. McCarty,
Assistant Secretary of State, and Mr..
{. w. Bramsford, one of the editors of
the Owcnsboro Messenger; but that
there was really no ground for the
rumor seems perfectly plain. There
is only one office in which such a
defalcatiOn could occur, and that is in
the office Of State Treasurer, j. W.
Tate. Now there has been no exam
nation of this Office since January,
1884, though his balances at the end
ofevery month tally with those of the
State Auditor, who must receive all
moneys before they enter the Treas
ury, and issue warrants for every dol
lar paid out. Under this check il
would appear improbable for any
irregulariLy to occur, without the
Treasurer kept a double set of bal
ances, one for comparison, the other
for use. There are two examinations
of the Treasury made every two
years. One by commission Of the
Legislature, which is usually a very
cursory and nominal affair, as the
State officers, themselves admit. The
other is by the Secretary of State and
the Auditor who compares his bank
deposits, balances and other items to
sec that the States money is actually
there. This was made in 1884 and
none has been made since. But the
fact that Mr.. Tate's books have been
scrupulously accurate and his ac-
counts perfectly honest for so many
wears warrants the presumption that
they are still in that condition.
HOW THE MONEY is WATCHED.
"When an express package of mon
ey arrives" said Auditor Hewitt, al
10 not touch it myself. go into the
rreasurer's office with the express
messenger, where the money is OPEN
ed and counted. then receipt for
it and take Col. Tate's receipt for it.
Thus, you see the check is complete"
Thus, even if the condition of
affairs in the Treasury were not
straight, no rumor of it could have
got out, because of course if the
Treasurer were culpable he would
keep the secret, and there has been
no indication of anything but the
strictest honesty in the balances and
usual manifestations.
Some time was spent in the Treas
ury, where the only news of interest
to be learned was that popular
institution was collapsed. There is
very little money in the Treasury
and a haul of the whole amount
would not warrant the expense Of a
Canadian voyage.
COL. M'CARTY's CORRESPONDENCE.
Since the publication of the start
ling rumor, Col. McCarty, who was
to have uttered the intima-
ton in spirit of POPULARITY, has
been carrying on an extensive cor
respondence with Editor Bransford.
Col. McCarty denies point blank
having said anything which could
be tortured into an intimation of
crookedness. Upon calling at his
office lie was found at his desk and
said there was nothing more to be
said by him.
"Will you allow me to see the cor
between yourself and
Mr.. Bransford ?" was asked.
Certainly not" said he, "Mr.
BfanSf0fuS letters are marked 'prl-
vate,' aud of course | can make no
further statement nor use the cor
respondence without his permission"
"But if his permission is obtained
you will ?" was suggested.
Certainly. There is nothing that
| can object to in any of them. l
have no objection to the worlds
reading it ALL"
The startling charges of fraud thus
fall entirely to the ground, while the
interest centers in what kind of an
the Greensboro
editor has to see SO great a sensation
in an old joker's remarks, or what
kind of memory Col. McCarty
must have to forget his jokes, if he
made any.
In the event of duel it is under
stood here that Col. Dick Tate will
act as second to Col. McCarty-sec-
ond to get behind tree.