The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-09-20

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entitled to any respectful attention from him.
The report that he made them was as full as was
made by any OF the other trustees, but they had
singled him out as the one to find fault with
They have no right to constitute themselves a
court to try him on the information that comes
TO them through rumors and reports. We are
finding no fault with the newspapers for publish
ing these things, but it is not in the
province of the commissioners to inquire into
them. The report made by Mr.. Kitz was volun-
tary, and 1t gave as full statement of the
affairs of his Office as they had any right to ex-
pect The statutes don't require him to
give them any information about the
township Indebtedness. His general state
ment that the Indebtedness would not
exceed certain amount covered all
that he did not specifically report That's suffi-
Gent He has made affidavit that these war
rants held at Vernon are forgeries. If anybody
thinks that he is not telling the truth, let them
prosecute him for perjury If the people who
hold warrants think that they are not
all right let them bring suit Mr.. Kitz is
liable. to prosecution if he has violated
the law in any way. We are not
going to pay any more attention to statements
that warrants for this and that amount
are in circulation. If you or any other person
sufficiently interested in the matter wants to
know how the township affairs stand, you can
go to Mr.: kits Office and examine the records
there, which will show just what warrants are
out and who holds them"
"Were warrants ever issued in Mr.. Kitz's
name by any person besides himsef|
mo, SIR" answered Mr.. Kitz Il signed all
warrants myself"
''Does your stub-book show that any warrants
of the character reported were issued, are
there any missing stubsW
There are not. The stubs are all right and
show that no warrants have been issued but
those that were signed by myself
1--WE are ready to give any information to the
press that we can, and may have something
fo., X-ny1 uar ~ rI Cd M 4 he
reporter left the Office.
The commissioners really have no authority
under the statutes to compel trustee to report
to them the Indebtedness of his township and
even when they are presented it is optional with
the trustee as to what kind of report he shall
make. AS better means of learning
the condition of the township affairs
it is suggested that the commissioners should
call upon all persons holding warrants due
bills to present them at the auditors Office for
verification and registry within a certain period.
This has been done in LaPorte county, and
seems to be good way to get the kind of infor-
nation desired at this time.
1t is a matter of some interest just now to
know what kind of an official bond is given by
the trustees The law requires that it shall be
made to cover double the amodnt of money that
is likely to come into the hands of the trustee at
any time. The bond of Trustee Kitz is for $50.
600, and the sureties H. G. g. Balls John P.
Frenzel, Otto n. Frenzel and TIL. Sander.
1t is suggested that Mr.. Kitz's affidavit charg-
ing that some of the Center township warrants
bearing hls signature forgeries, should be in
vestlgated by the grand jury, and an indictment
returned against the guilty person or persons if
possible. 1T the forgers prove to be Pollard or
any OF the absconding trustees now in Canada.
they can be brought back to Indiana under the
extradition treaty for trial on the charge Of
having committed felony.
A STATEMENT FROM Mr. KITZ.
The following statement was sent to the Jour
nal by Trustee Ktz last night for publication:
To the Taxpayers of Center Township:
Since the extensive frauds of various township
trustees have come to light in this State. have, in
good faith, gone to the Board of Commissioners of
Marion county and volunteered to make showing,
that as trustee of Center township had not had any
dealings with K. b. Pollard & Son, with Davis e.
Co., of Chicago.
! am not obliged by the law to make any showing of
the indie bedness of the township to the County Com
mssioners nor to any else, and my Offer above
stated was entirely volunteered, and the first one
made in the State, as far as L can learn.
The Commissioners took official notice of my offer
for some days. Finally it came round
about-way that the Commissioners claimed that they
had no authority to act in the matter but that they
would like to hear from me.
On Sept IL | submitted to the Commissioners a
statement which clearly and unquesdonably shows
that have issued fraudulent warrants on behalf of
my township, and that had dealings with Pollard
& Son with Davis & Co.
made my showing very full and much more com
pete than the filed by of the other
standing these facts the only trustee criticised
and the only one charged by innuendo with fraud. |
was the only who informed by the Commits
sloners that my report was not full enough.
In view OF this treatment, and in view of the fact
that an attack is made upon simply for political
capital refuse to make any further statement to a
Republican Board of County Commissioners, but will
make my showing to the tax papers direct
1t has been published in the Republican papers that
concealing the affairs of my township 1t would
be well for those defamers of mine look at the laws
OF Indiana and they will find that my Office is pub
lie one open at ali times, books papers and every
thing to the inspection of anyone DESTROYS of looking
at them. Instead of looking at my backs, which are
available the records of the County Commission
ers, the Republican press has fit to publish in
stead interviews with detectives who are not known
persons at distance who are not named and all the
rumors, matter how silly.
l call attention to the following figures, and say
they show all the Indebtedness of Center township
not authorized by the Commissioners
AS shown by my report 10 Commissioners
made l lth INST -$1S, 1853
Amount not shown by said report as an
itemized statement. Observation-Disclosures. 10, FOG 45
Total. .$2s 1922. II
To pay the above, Center township has the follow
ing resources
Special fund, last half of 1884 levy. SIC, 500 90
Road fund ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 10000
On hand IN road fund. ---.-----..--.---- 1852
Special fund levy made June east for
1902 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 13,5OO.O0
Road fund 1000. 90
Total. Observation-Disclosures. $28, AIS, SO
In these figures the amounts may vary little, that
is more or less, but not much from the above.
In this connection will say that Center township
has also a judgment against Marion county for Sea-
2O2O1 now pending in the Supreme Court and to be
h on hand:
Township fund Observation-Disclosures. So 1872 80
Tuition fund 6,O64. 73
Dog fund ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS 1904