The sun., 1888-03-21
ROBBED BY THE TREASURER.
a TRUSTED OFFICIAL OF KENTUCKY
STEALS FROM THE STATE
Mr.. Tnto Disnppenrs. and 8107 900 arc
MisstnR - Elected by the Democrats Ten
Timcs-Thoy Called him " Honest Dick
Tnteo-A Reward offered for hi, Arrest,

Mr.. Tnto Disappears. and 2I07, 900 are
MisstnG - Elected by the Democrats Ten
Timcs-rhoy Called HIN, "Honcst Dick
Tate"-A Reward offered for his Arrcst.
LEXINGTON, KY, March 2O.-Had q bomb
shell been thrown into the Kentucky Legisla-
ture this morning 1t would have created no
more surprise than this message from Gov
Buckner to-day:
"GENTLEMEN OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE
OF REPRESENTATIVES,: 1t is my painful duty to
announce TO you the fact that tho Treasurer Of
the State has been suspended from the exer-
else OF his official duties The hasty examina-
tion OF his books induces the belief that there is
q large deficit in his accounts This examina-
tion was made yesterday. Tho fact Is COM
municated to you ut the earliest moment for
your Information and action. 1t is believed
that the bond OF the Treasurer will fully cover
any possible deficit that a more complete in
vestigation will reveal. In the mean time the
Auditor and Secretary OF State have been
directed to take temporary charge OF the office
OF the Treasurer. s. B. BuCKNER."
Accompanying the message was this resolu-
tion OF the Sinking Fund Commission:
Whereas. Our attention has been called by
the Auditor Of Public Accounts and the Secre-
tary Of State to tho fact that James w. Tate,
Treasurer Of the State. has postponed from
submitting to the examination Of his accounts
as required by the general statutes. and it
having been learned this morning that said
James W. Tate has been absent from his office
since the 18th inst, therefore we caused to be
made an immediate examination OF tho ac-
counts OF the Treasurer as fully as could be
done without his presence and assistance in
the short time permitted; and it appearing
from this hasty examination that there ia In all
probability large deficit in his accounts, and
believing from the information thus learned
that the public funds are in danger II per-
mitted to be longer under his control. We here
by suspend said James w. Tate from the duties
OF off1co Of Treasurer Of the Commonwealth OF
Kentucky"
1t is the duty OF the Treasurer to mako full
statement OF the money on hand and OF all the
affairs OF his office every two years on Jan. 10.
Two years ago such statement was made
and everything was found to be correct. When
the time camo last January to make the usual
examination, Treasurer Tate offered excuses
to Auditor Hewitt, and kept postponing the in
vestigation.
Last Wednesday the Auditor told Tate that
his excuses could not be listened to any longer.
Tate begged to be allowed til Friday. saying
he was obliged to 60 to Lousvtlle on Thursday
and teeRraphed on Friday that he would be in
Frankfort on Saturday. but rs he didn't come
Hewitt began tho examination. He found
that Tates checks against the State funds on
deposit in two banks in Frankfort amounted
to 900 moro than the vouchers called for.
He Immediately reported to the Governor.
members Of the Sinking Fund Commission
have found other outstanding checks. which
WILL bring the amount OF tho deficit to sl97. 900
Tate,s bondsmen are good for the amount 80
far discovered.
What has become of the money is hard to
find out. 1t is learned that Tate has for yenrs
been lending money to nearly all tho promi-
nent politicians in the State and to many other
personal friends. Besides. he has been specu-
wife and one child, Mrs. Martin. who Is with her
mother. This morning resolution was passed
by the House Offering $1,000 reward for the
capture OF Tate. 1t will pass the Senate to-
morrow. This afternoon the Joint committee
to which was referred the Governors message
agreed to report tomorrow in favor of the i'm
peHchment of the Treasurer, and this they
think Is the only way to create a vacancy in the
TreasureE,s office.
tons. He was elected State Treasurer on tho
Democratic ticket in 1867. md hns since then
continuously hold that Office, having been
elected ten times and there has been Of late
years scarcely any opposition to him In his
party. Two years ago he carried every county
In the State. No man stood higher among all
classes Of citizens. and his downfall has caused
one OF the greatest sensations ever known in
Kentucky, His intimate friends believe he has
sate t9 Dick Known all over the
Later.-A despatch received tonight SAYS the
shortage is at least 100000, and that Tate is
In Canada.