Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-03-24
rArE's TROUBLES
Legislative Action fn the Matter
More Retfenness 20 be
Developed.
,pv ,.,.cr,ph n Tho pi,on.cb.,

LOUISVILLE, KY, March 23.-This
morning the two houses Of the Kentucky
Legislature suspended the rules and
passed the resolution agreed upon by
the Democratic caucus calling for an
immediate and full investigation OF all
OF the State offices.
At a secret caucus OF the Democratic
members OF the two houses resolution
was adopted directing a committee to
call upon Governor BuclSner aud ask of
him that he stop Auditor Hewitt from
taking further part in the investigation
OF Treasurer Tate's affairs and the status
OF the State Treasury. This was done, and
the Governor promised the committee
that Auditor Hewitt should be kept from
the Treasurer's Office. At the caucus
mentioned those who attended made no
effort to conceal the fact that a great deal
of feeling has been aroused against the
State Auditor. There is every in
dica5ion that trouble is brewing,
but no one ventures to make
specific charges against any one
except Tate. There was no hesitation
on the part of the assembled Legislators
in declaring that Hewitt's actions had
impeded the investigation OF Treasurer
Tate's accounts. This was the sense Of
the meeting, and each movement of the
Auditor in the affair was discussed at
length. The expressed opinion that the
examination of the defaulting Ireasurer's
accounts had been purposely retarded by
Auditor Hewitt was moi contradicted, and
some went so far as to implicate the Au-
ditor in the defalcatoD. 1t was almost
the unanimous opinion OF the caucus
that an investigation will develop more
rottenness than has vet seen light.
AUDITOR HEwITT's Defence.
LOUISVILLE. KY, March 2l.-In de-
fence of himself against charges made
that he did not conform with the statute
in his settlements with Treasurer Tate,
Auditor Hewitt says "At the end OF
each month the balance-sheet Is made
up in the Auditors Office, showing The
amount of receipts, amount OF expendi-
lures, and balance in the treasury.
This sheet is then compared with siml-
lar sheet taken from the Treasnrer's
books, and if they do not agree
the error is hunted up until
it is found, and when they agree | CON
slider that my duty has been performed.
The laws say that the Auditor shali
ascertain whether the money on hand in
the Treasury agrees with the balance
shown by the books of the Treasurer. l
understand that it is the duty OF the
Auditor under that section to count
the money in the Treasury every
month. had never heard Of
this construction Of that section until
Yesterday. | take it that 1t is the evident
meaning of the law that il upon mouth
" comparison Of balance OF thetwo offices
there is discrepancy. 1t should be report
ed ut once to the Governor, who has
the authority to order the cash to be
counted. The Treasurer is an officer Of
equal dignity with the Auditor, is under
larger bonds than the Auditor, and Is
not necessarily the object of greater sus-
picion than any other officer Of the
Government. A monthly examination,
such as is now contended for, Is vlr-
tuallv impracticable, and IS worth
nothing ii the exact condition
Of the Treasury is not ascertained. To
do so it would be necessary to entirely
suspend the routine work in both Offices
for the space of eight or ten days each
and devote the whole time to making
this settlement. have tried to faith
fully perform my duty to the people Of
Kentucky, and honestly believe | have
done so under the full requirements OF
the law"
He adds that he has also urged upon
the Legislature it's duty to make a
thorough examination at the opening OF
each session.