, 1888-03-22
BIG HAUL.
A COuaty Treasurer EnbezzleS
Several hundred Thousand
Adj Quietly Skips for Parts
unkH0w
= me Interesting e. mDficati MS
l.ik ~ I. SUI Ii.

FRAsKroRr. ky., March 4D.--Governor
Buckner this morning suspcnued Treasurer
of State James w. Tate. MIR. Tate is
charged with defu location in his office aud
IL IL said he has He'd the state. The deial-
eating official has been treasurer for
twenty-one years, 1t Is thought that Tote's
shortage will amount to between $4,000
and Sl50,OO0. Investigation was iinmedi-
ately instituted OF the recon- mendati on of
Governor BuckDer and disclosed before
noon II deficit in late's office OF Sl5O,OOO.
These irregularities run back eleven years.
The discovery OF the shortage is the result
of an examination commencing some days
aga by an expert accountant. Tates bond
was for $500 900 and il well coYered. lie
was in Louisville Saturday when he was
observed To bo drinking hard. All unusual
thing for hiIu, since that Time he has not
been seen and his whereabouts are un-
known. Tate was elected state treasurer in
1867, having been nominated 10y the Demo-
Gratis. He had been reelected continuously
ever since then, making his tenure of office
twenty years on August 3lst last. In the
last Democratic campaign Tate had no
body laughed at the idea OF opposing hon
est old Dick Tate. He received the nomi'
nation fOi the tenth consecutive time. His
majorities have always stood among the
largest on his ticket and merry, honest,
jolly "Dick" Tate had been one Of the most
men in Kentucky.
Up to tonight it is impossible to state
the exact amount of the shortage, but IL is
now fluctuating between $l5O,OO0 and
$4,000 The first intimation OF the short
age cane yesterday, when comparison of
the auditor statement of what should be
In the bank showed that such amount was
not there. This, coupled with the fact
that the treasurer had not been seen since
Friday at Frankfort, caused an examina'
tiOn to be made, with the result that the
states money was discovered to have been
squandered in large amounts Since the
investigation was thought OF, stories about
the strange conduct of Tate have been made
public. State Senator Wright says that on
Thursday last Tate questioned him closely
and at great length as tn the exact pro-
visions in extradition treaties between the
United States aud Canada, also with Mex
'icO. Wright did not pay much atten-
ton to it ut the time. What has
become OF the money no one knows.
Tate never specuated, and is said
not to have been an extravagant liver.
Year by year the money had leaked out,
however, aud the shortage seems to have
been running back dozen years.
Mr.. Herndon, OF this city. who was one
time teller in the bank ut Frankfort, says
that Tates defalcation will involve state Of
ticials and citizens of high standing. He
says it was the custom of many state officials
them, promising to pay Us soon AS their
vouchers are due. When they secured
vouchers, however, they would defer pay
ment and the good natured treasurer, fail
ing TO push the claims, accumulated u mass
OF such securities as-inust by this time he
simply enormous. There is no indication
that Tate took any money with him. 1t
is thought that the report ofthe investiga-
tors will furnish definite light as to when
and to whom Tate loaned the
money. II il said that mem-
oranda in his Office shows loan
of $4,000 to a certain whisky trust and
S25, 900 to a Louisville company.
1t has been Tate's custom to settle up
every year, and never until now was there
the least hesitation OH his part to square
accounts with the auditor. Thi1 time
however, there was much procrastination
and he has been putting the auditor oil
since January. Last week the auditor grew
urgent Thursday Tate went to Louisville
saving that he would be back ON Friday.
Not having been heard from. on Saturday
night his family grew anxious, as did also til Q
auditor. Telegraphic correspondence elici-
ted the fact that Tate left Louisville Friday
morning on the Cincinnati train. Then
Auditor Hewitt ordered balance taken
and it was found there was in bank sl24,.
900 less than the vouchers called Tor.
Tate's wife and daughter are much pros
trated. No one seems to have any idea ut
where he has gone.