The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-03-21

LOUISVILLE, KY, March 20.-A special
TO the Ereai,g 7imes from Frankfort, KY,
states that Gov. Buckner this morning
suspended Treasurer Of State James W.
Tate. Tate is charged with defalcation in
his office, and, IL is said, has fed the State.
The defaulting official has been treasurer
for twenty-one years. He was considered
The soul Of honor, and the news will pro-
duce tremendous sensation throughout
tie State. II is thought Tate's shortage
win amount to between $4,000 and $780,
| OO0.
A later dispatch from Frankfort states
that the investigation Immediately insti.
tuted on the recommendation Of Gov.
|lBuckner has, up To IL o'clock this morn.
ing, disclosed deficit Of Tate's Office OF
I050,000, and that the Irregularities seem
- run back eleven years.
The discovery OF Tate's shortage Is the
I1nlt OF the examination OF his books
11inmenced some days ago by an expert
1otouniant. The Governor has placed
~ ireasurcr's Office In charge Of Auditor
Hewitt, and Acknowledgement Hardin. In
message TO the Legislature Gov
nckner says he has reasons for believing
be deficit TO be large, and recommends
bat an immediate investigation be or.
1ercd. In the House n committee was al
oncc appointed and ordered 10 prosecute
an investigation In connection with the
officials in charge Of the Office. Pending
the investigation the office, OF course, will
Doc closed. The State has abundant no.
sourccs at hand, and all current expenses,
payments, dues, etc. will be met without
interruption or delay.
Treasurer Tates bond was for 500, ,000
pnd Is well covered. lie was in Louisville
Saturday night when he was observed "a
" drinking hard, an unusual thing foI
Nm. Since that time he has not been
Len and his whereabouts Is unknown.
James VIM. Tate was elected State
Ifeasurer In 1857, having been nominated
IN the Democrats. lie has been reelected
making his tenure the Office twenty ycan
u August 81 last. In the last Democratic
ompaign Mr.. Tate had no opposition fol
Nc nomination a. State Treasurer. Every
BODY laughed at the idea OF opposing hon.
fst, old Dick Tate: lie received the Dom
bcmtic nomination for the tcnth time
His majorities have always stood among
DC largest on his ticket, and merry, hon
u, Jolly "Dick" Tate has been one Of tho
n>ost widely known and universally hked
Inen In Kentucky.
1n addition TO being State Treasurer, h,
W. q commissioner OF the sinking fund
and was one Of those intrustcd with the
management Of the State pcnitentiary.
DIR. May has offered resolution In III,
Honse authorizing the offering Of a rcwart
Of &, 900 for the arrest OF J. w. Tate II I
jolnt resolution, and lies over one da,
Hnder the rules.
Thc exact amount Of his shortage II I
luDossible M yet 10 state, but II is any
- from $780, 900 20 100000.
THE ooyHRxoK's MESSAGE.
- following Ia the message Of the Gov
t>nor read 10 the Legislature:
jcu<Ismenoi the Senate and House Of Represents
IL my painful duty 10 announce q
yon the fact that, for reasons which appca
nthe accompanying act OF the Governor
kuditor and Attomey-General, the Treas
ne OF the State has been suspended from
~ exercise OF his official duties. The hast,
hmination OF his books induces the be
u that there Is a large deficit in his nc
1bnts. Tho examination was made yes
inlay The action reported 10 You va
akcn last night ~ soon as the deficit ap
farcd. The fact is communicated 70 yol
tho earliest moment for your iniorma
ion and action. II u believed that th
,ond Of the Treasurer will fully cover an,
,1~iblo deficit that moro complete In
c@iigaiion will roycal. In the fncantim
Iic Auditor and Secretary OF State hav
cen directed 10 take Temporary charge Q
he Office Of the Treasurer. Respect
ally ). u. BrcKSER.
Msrch 20. 1888.
Accompanying the message was ono Q
bo nmc kind irom the sinking fund com
111Ioncr,
u motion committee was appolnlc
"a with the State officials In prosccuiin
rst1Invcstigaiion.
Ike flrt intimaiion Of the shortage cam
rday morning when comparison {
auditors statement Of what should b
G bank showed that such an amour
not there. This coupled with the Inc
h4{ thc treasurer had not been seen sine
'riIry morning, when he left osiensibl
Or louisville, caused On examination
u male with the result that the Stnte
noney was discovered 70 have bee
qundcrcd In large amounts. Up 70
fcIo,k am. the books had been examine