The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-22
TATE'S HUGE DEFALCATION
Auditor Hewett Thinks the Shortage
Will Be Less than 5000. 900.
pliclte a Number of Very Promin nj Men
-Tate's Nhrreabouls Still Unknown.

Treasurers Office. Conservative reports from
the State capital place the amount of the deficit
between 1925, 900 and $780, 900. the former being
the amount stated by Auditor Hewett. More
sensational dispatches place the sum far above
these figures, one placing it at $4,000 and
crediting expert Samuels with the statement
that it will probably reach half million dollars.
Beyond the fact that Tate left Louisville on Fri
day night for Cincinnati, nothing known Of
his whereabouts Il is believed that he fed
from that city to Buffalo, and thence to Canada
His friends think that when his papers are over
hauled q statement from him will be found.
The Republicans are claiming that Tate's de-
falcation will enable them to carry the State at
the next State election. They say Tate's short
age Is but proof of the charges made by the
Republicans on the stump that the Democratic
State government was rotten to the core. One
well-known member of the Republican party
said when Tate went into Office he found in
the treasury 81 100000 He went out leaving
IL comparatively empty, and carrying possibly
several hundred thousand with him. Comment
is unnecessary. The effect on the Democratic
party may be of wholesome character, but 1t
will certainly the Republicans to put forth
new energy and gather in the Democrats who
believe in honest government, and it will Ger
tainly stop that everlasting cry of Democratic
purity, SC long shouted in the ears of the long
suffering people by Democratic stump speakers.
You can say for me that believe Tate's Short
age will be of much benefit TO the Republican
party, and if we don't carry the State for the
Republican nominee this fall, will make
things hum at the next State election"
A dispatch from Frankfort to a morning pa
per says Some startling developments
promised when the private papers of the treas
urer are looked into. It is said that these docu-
ments will show loans 70 various high officials.
among them being So, 900 to ex-judge of the
Court of Appeals 1t is said by men who are
conversant with the States affairs that more
men than one knew OF Tate's financial straits.
and they were in measure responsible in put
ting him to fight. One thing seems to be evil
dent, and that is the Governor means to lay
open the whole thing. There are many uneasy
people hereabout"
n dispatch from Frankfort this morning states
that the Senate judiciary committee. appointed
Yesterday by the House, in their joint report to
to he taken in the Tate case, recon
mend impeachment The report says the
vacate the Office. but that impeachment
10 the only constitutional mode by which, in
this case. the absconding Treasurer may be
moved and his place made vacant. The report
recommending the impeachment of Tate
anopted, and special committee is now at work
formulating the proper mode of procedure.
The resolution authorizing the offering of re-
ward of $4,000 for Tates apprehension Was also
adopted
Auditor Hewets stated to a reporter this morn
ing that he had worked almost the entire night
shortage would fall under $4,000 but above
$780, 900. Later in the day the Auditor said
that he had found. as result of his investiea-
ton, that March II, 1S87-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 a cent; but
the Auditor does not think all the shortage has
occurred since that date, though the money
must have been drawn since then. He thinks
the leakage has been going on for years. and
Tate has been bridging it over from time TO
ma md nm m q U0ar 40 W. RI nj in
the bank. at counting time. sufficient sums to
make his books square. Among the missing
bills from friends for money loaned. most of
which is good; 600 barrels of old whisky in Louis
VILE. whose value is estimated at $4,000, and
$25. 900 in bank at Frankfort The latter has
been attached and the due bills are locked up
in the vault in the State house.
Late this afternoon certificate OF deDosit
representing $4,000 discovered among
Tate's private papers It will reduce the deficit
that much, and Auditor Hewett now SAYS the
amount will fall considerably under his estimate
of 5000. 000
investigation shows has existed for years in the
Treasurers Office now absorbs a considerable
portion of the public attention. Many people
urge that Auditor Hewett 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 Hew
EFT stated that he has never interpreted the
statutes. nor so far he has been able to learn,
has any one preceding him. The statute reads:
s'And the Auditor shall once In each month
ascertain whether the money on hand in the
Treasury agrees with the balancesheets By the
books of the Treasurer" The clause affecting
the settlement at the end OF every thirty
days is. in plain English. that the auditor SHALL
count the cash and ascertain, etc Now MIR
Hewett holds that the statute regulating these
monthly settlements cannot be construed to
mean that it is his duty to count the money
monthly. but he is only required to take the
TreasurerS statement, and If the books balance
on such comparison the law has been satisfied
A further question is the responsibility of the
bondsmen 1t is held by many that as Treas
urer Tate had money in bank on the 18th of
March, 1887, TO square himself with the State
then his bondsmen for all the years prior to that
are released and the present bondsmen only can
be held for his shortage. Others dissent from
this theory.
The political effect of the defalcation is dis
cussed on all sides. While the Republicans
exult. the Democrats point to the splendid
record Governor Buckner has made, and his
prompt action. upon the first intimaton that all
was not right. in pushing an investigation
which had already been demanded by the
party in the legislature. No wnitewashing
wac attempted, and the leaders Of
the party, without hesitation Law before the
people the oerfdy of the man thew had
trusted and honored SO long. The culpaoility
of the party IN retaining man so long in Office
without repeated Investigations is put forward
by some, and these claim that the affair
will have a wholesome effect on the party The
ability and integrity of candidates will be more
closely scrusinized and the officials held to a
more strict accountability. A dispatch from
Frankfort late this afternoon, says:
There is disposition on the part of the AS
sembly to go quietly and directly to the very
bottom OF the matter and TO shield no TIE
idea is to have the matter of who has borrowed
the States money and turned the Treasury into
a banking convenience exposed promptly to the
fullest, leaving OF no lame. however prominent
The State wants TO knew where Ter money has
gone, and the Assembly intends to crafty her
natural curiosity. This is causing unhappiness
in certain high judicial circles, it is said but
mn ha eli he
islators. attorneys, judges. etc.. who have made
oyerdrafts on the State Treasury, and by their
negligence 10 paying, have brought this dis
grace upon the people of Kentucky and blotted
the States fair escutcheon must be given the
benefit of publicity"
Tates's whereabouts is still unknown.
Emigrsnts Injured in Collision.
WYOMING Onh March 81 An ar,,ic.rnnt