Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1890-10-10
FORCED THE ISSUE.

1t is well known fact that the
state treasurer of Wisconsin has been
allowed to annually pocket and appro-
pirate to his own use upwards of
$4,000 interest on state funds loaned
to banks; and this notwithstanding
that it is in direct violation of law for
him to do so. Section 44l9 Revised
Statutes of Wisconsin reads as follows:
SECTION 44l9. The refusal or willful neglect
of any officer or other person named in the last
preceding section. to pay over any moneys, or
to deliver any property in his care. custody or
possessisn by virtue of his Office or employment,
upon the demand thereof by the proper person,
copaTtnership corporation or authority entitled
TO receive the same, or as required by law, or
the selling, mortgaging or pledging of any
such property, THE LOANING OR DEPOSIT
ING OF ANY SUCH MONEYS BY SUCH
OFFICER FOR HIS OWN GAIN, PROFIT OR
ADVANTAGE without special authority, shall
in each case be prima facia evidence of the
embezziement thereof; and every public officer
shall promptly pay over, as required by law, the
same moneys received and held by him by
virtue Of his Office and the whole thereof, and
he shall not be allowed to set up or plead, any
account or claim for his services or fees, as an
Offset or couRter claim against such payment
The issue of compelling the state
treasurer to pay back into the treasury
all interest received on funds be-
longing to the state was forced by The
Milwaukee Journal and other demo-
cratic newspapers of Wisconsin, by
pointing out to the people the manner
in which our state treasurers have en-
riched themselves at the expense of
the taxpayers of the state.
The democratic platform, upon
which the present candidates for state
offices stand, declares:
"The appropriation by state treasurers of the
interest on state funds for their own gain is an
example Of republican mismanagement
"The interest on these funds is the money OF
the people, as the interest on a private trust
fund, is a recognized portion of the fund by
which it Is earned; yet for years the republican
party has permitted state treasurers of its crea-
alton TO appropriate such interest to their own
uses
We pledge that the democratic party, if en-
trusted with the state government, viii reduce
state expenses TO point necessary for an
economical ADMINISTRATION of state afaiss; that il
will cover into the state treasury all interest on
state funds and vigorously prosecute legal pro-
CeedIngs 10 recover interest moneys heretofore
taken by tie state treasurers.
And John Hummer, the democratic
candidate for state treasurer, in let
ter to the democratic state central
committee, pledges himself as follows:
Il hereby solemnly and publicly give my
pledge to the party which placed its confidence
in me, and TO the people of Wisconsin, whose
trust is invoked by my nomination, and if
shall be chosen state treasurer, l will keep and
all public moneys of the state in that man
ner only which is provided by law, and will
keep strict account of every deposit or invest
ment which shall be made thereof in any man
nerr and all interest moneys in any way, manner
or form, directly or indirectly gained by or ac.
cruing to or from the use of such moneys or any
part thereof and to the last cent will put the
same into the state treasury as part of the fund
to which the same accrued, and make full re-
port of all such transactions so that the public
may be at all times fully advised thereof; and
further, that l will not myself, nor through
any friend or other agency in which I an or
may be interested, receive directly or Indirectly.
nor permit any friend or any institution with
which am Or may be cOnnec ted in and way to
receive aHy gain or advantage by the use or de
post of state funds but will comply with the
law strictly rs it is now plainly written in the
Statute Cor as it may hereafter be amended) in
the spirit of the declaration of the democratic
platform. aud will pay into the public treasury
all fees. pcrquisites and interest in any manner
received as State Treasurer and conGne my
compensation to the salary provided by law as
the sole recompense for the Treasurers services"
Aud to this, with no mental reservation. quail
itcution, or equiyocation, pledge my faith and
honor as man and citizen and authorize you to
make the seme public in such way Us shall be
suitable.
The real issues in the campaign are
reduction of tariff taxation and a
just and economical administration of
government, state and national. In
view of the record Of the republican
party in regard to these questions, it
is no wonder that the professional
politicians of that party in Wisconsin
try to dodge the real issues of the
campaign by cowardly hiding behind
the little school house.