New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1890-03-28
STEVENSON ARCHER'S FALL.
SERIOUSLY ILL AT HIS HOME IN BEL
ARE, MD.
no ESTIMATE POSSIBLE YET OF THE DEFICIT
IN THE STATE TREASURY-THE STRONG
BOX CAN NOT BE OPENED WITH.
OUT MR. ARCHER's CONSENT.
!sY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE,

,BY TELEGRAPH TRIBUNE,
Baltimore. March 27.-Stcvcnson Archer, State
Treasurer and chairman of the Democratic State
Committee. who yesterday was reported to the
Governor by the State Controller as having msap-
proprated State funds. is lying seriously Ill at
his home in Bcairc, Nd. His mind is unpal-
anced. and he spent Tuesday night wandering
about in the woods near his home in heavy ram
storm. When discovered yesterday morning he
was leaning against tree in dazed conditon
He was drenchcd 10 the skin. and his clothing
was covered with mud. Early on Tuesday evening
he left his home and went to several drug stores
in Belairc, at which he is said to have obtained
morphine.
The excitement was intense to-day. both in
political circles at Annapolis and in financial cir
cles of this city. The legislative committee,
cosisting of Senators John P. Poe and John Walter
Smith and DELEGATES Frank T. Shaw Philip
d. Laird and William Q. Harden, appointed late
last night by request of the Governor to-day be-
gan an investigation. Every is at loss TO
give a reason for the misappropriatioE of the
funds. Mr.. Archer was not known TO have any
extravagant habits or to indulge in speculation
Among the reports circulated is one that he
triblsted large sum OF money for campaign pur
poses last fall and at a preceding election Mr.
Archcr's friends and acquantances OF the
opinion that the money was not personally APP
propriated but that it was used for some other
purpose. IT. is stated that few Of his political
friends knew Of his financial trouble week
ago. and offered him loans varying from $4,000
to $4,000. but he declined all proifers of aid,
saying that he would settle himself and bear
the brunt.
In financial circles here to-day, the impression
prevailed that the amount of shortage would
reach high figure, any amount under $4,000
or $4,000 could easily have been borrowed by
Mr.. Archer without any exposure of his trouble.
His credit has always been Of the best, and n his
practice as a lawyer he has always borne the
highest reputation. He has had the managcmcnt
of a number of estates. and it is thought that
the funds of several Of these may
be involved and that he hypothe
Gated State securities to up the deficiencies
in trust funds, with the intention of making good
the amount. His salary as Treasurer was $500
o year. and his law practice amounted to several
thousand dollars year. President b. +. New
conner of the Safe Deposit and Trust Company Of
this city, in whose vaults the State securities are
kept. said to-day that the legislative committee
could not gain access to Archers box, except by
presenting the keys and power of attorney from
that gentleman. In this box the State should
have 100000 in securities and S2OOOOo III
Baltimore and Ohio Railroad stocks. Officers of
the National Mechanics Bank of this city and
the National Bank of Baltimore. holders of Mr.
Archer's paper, say that they are protected but
will make statement of the extent
10 which they involved. The bank
officers also state that the holding of a coupon
bond collateral for a loan advanced by
bank is an absolute protection 10 the bank
The legislative committee Will visit this city
tomorrow in company with the Controller to
examine the securities
1t is said that on Tuesday, when Mr.. Archer
was requested 10 send TO the Controller the key
of the box in the safe deposit company, he re-
fused. When IN Annapolis last Saturday Mr.
Archer astonished friend by rcnlarklne that ne
would not be down there again for long time.
Mr.. Archers bond is $500, 900, and his srreties
are Murray NandIver, Edwin II. Webster. Joseph
NJ. Street,. Henry W. Archer, Jr., ): \. Williams,
Aat5ick Hs4 Holman" H. Howard H'I e soPNs sstyawo r
years old and belongs u promi-
nent Maryland family. He is "A son OF
been a central figure in Democratic politics. lie
was graduated from Princeton College In ls]6
and took up the practice OF law: In ls5l he
iSpea s Mr. W' webster E. wa
Collector of the Port of Baltimore under President
Garfield. In s53 ne was elected 10 the Mary
he was appointed a special Judge for term of
the Cecil County Court. and won the high opinion
elected member Of Congress from tht IId Con
grcssiOnal District and was reelected 10 the
same Office in 1853, 1870 and 1872 During the
eight years Of his service he member of
the Naval Committee. In s6s he was dele
gate 10 the National Democratic Convention. which
nominated Seymour for the Presidency and in
1876 was a delegate to the National Convention at
st. Louis. which nom mated :: J. Tilden. Mr..
Archer also acted delegate-at-largc at the Dem
ocratic National Convention, which nominated
Cleveland in 1855. lie selected chairman
of the Democratic State Central Committee when
Mr. German retired in 1887. and has held that
place ever since. Mr.. Archer elected treas
urer Of the State, succeeding John s. Git
tincs In $50 and has held that office since.
ha wing been twice reelected
Enoch Pratt, president Of the Farmers and
Planters Bank, is quoted as saying that the def
alcation may reach $500. 900. The States cash
funds are deposited in this bank, but they have
not been tOucLcd