New-York tribune., 1888-03-22
NO NEWS FROM J. W. TATE
THE EMPTY TREASURY OF KENTUCKY.

LENDING M0NEr 10 DIsn0xoRADLE DEBTORS TIN
CAUSE on THE DBvALcAII0S-DExocRArs MOI
90 Nsrsv As usUAL ABOUT THEIR HONESTY
Louisville March zl.-Auditor Hewitt states
that he has found - result Of his investigation
that on March IL, ls87-just year ago, Saturday
Treasurer Tate had in bank money to meet every
voucher, and could have squared accounts with
the State that day to cent, but the auditor does
not think ell this shortage occurred since that
date, but the money must have been drawn since
thcn. lie thinks tho defalcation has been going
on for years, and that Tate has been bridging 10
over from time to time and up to year ago was
able to place in the Bunk Of Counting sufficient
sums to make his books square. Among the
missing Treasurer's assets arc said to be $4,000
Of due bills from friends for money loaned, most
Of which Ia good 500 barrels Of old whiskey In
Louisville whose value is estimated at $4,000,
and s25,0O In bank at Frankfort. The lattcr has
been attached. and the due bills locked up in
the vault in State House. Late this afternoon
o certificate of deposit representing $4,000 was
discovered among Tate's private papers. 1t viii
reducce tho deficit that much, and Auditor Hewits
now says that the amount viii fall considerably
under bis estimate of 100000.
The unbusinesslikc state OF affairs which the
investigation shows has existed for years In the
Treasurr's Office now absorbs considerable por.
tion Of the public attention. Many peoplc say
that Auditor Hewitt has been derelict in his duty,
because he did not count the money every month,
holding that the statutes require this. When asked
regarding this, Auditor Hewitt states that he hae
never so interpreted the statutes. Nor, 80 far -
ne has been able to learn has any one preceding
him. The statute reads: And the auditor shall
once in each month ascertain whether tho money
on hand in the Treasury agrees with tho balance
shown by the Books Of the Treasurer.
Auditor Hewitt stated to a reporter this morn
ing that he had worked almost three entire nights
on Treasurer Tate's books. and found that tho
shortage would fall under 100000 but above
81 100000
The political effect Of the defalcation is dis
cussed on all sides. While the Republicans ex-
ult, the Democrats point to the splendid record
Governor Buckner has made, and his prompt action
upon the first intimation that all was not right
M by The party IN the legislature
There is disposition in the Assembly to go to
the bottom Of the matter and to shield no one:
the States money and turned the treasury into
q banking convenience exposed promptly TO tho
fullest leaving of no name however promlnehnt M:
gone, and the Assembly intends to crafty this
curiosity. This is causing unhappiness in certain
high judicial circles. it is said. but nevertheless
Beyond the fact that Tate left Louisville on
Friday night for Cincinnati nothing is known
OF him. IL Is DeueYeu tuaI ne ucu lrcm tho"
city to Buffalo and thence to Canada His friends
think that when his papers are overhauled state
ment from him will be found.
The Republicans claim that Tate's defalcation
will enable them to carry the State at the next
election. They say Tate's shortage Is PROOF OF
the charges made by the Republicans on the stump
that the Democratic State government was rotten
to the core A wellknown member OF the Re-
publican party said When Tate went In Office.
he found In the Treasury 81 100000 He went Out
leaving 1t about empty and carrying possibly sew
eral hundred thousand dollars with him. Tho
some character, but It will certainly cause
the Rerublecans to put forth new energy to gather
| An the Democrats who believe IN honest govern
Of Democratic purity, SO long shouted IN tne e..s
Of the long.snferng people by DeIocraf'c ns stump
Tates shortage will be Of much benefit to the e.
rmhlcan rarfv. and that II we don't carry tn4
State for the Republican nominees this fal; We WIZ
make things rum at the next State election.