Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-03-27

SHORT SEVERAL THOUSAND DoILARs-THE
GUILTY MAN FOUND DELIRIoUs IN THE WOODS
SCENES AT ANNAPOLIS WHEN THE NEWS CAME
Annapolis and Maryland were thrown into a
state OF excitement last night by the announce
meut from Gov Jackson to the legislature that
Stevenson Archer, state treasurer, has wrong
fully appropriated money trusted to his keep
ing. The news came at 1910 p. m in the fol-
lowing message from the governor: "On
Monday evening oath instant, received from
the controller of the treasury a communica-
ton follows:
'Freir,ct, March %, 5000 his Excel
lency Z. E. Jackson-Dear Sir: IT becomes my
painful dnty to inform you that information
reached me in Frederick on Saturday evening
last which convinces me that there has been a
misappropriation Of the state securities in the
hands of State Treasurer Stevenson Archer. 1
believe that at least two of the banks of Balti-
more city hold notes of Mr.. Archer secured by
bonds of the kind belonging to the state sink
ing fund, one being secured by Piedmont and
Cumberland bonds. another by treasury relief
bonds, and that another loan was negotiated
by Mr.. Archer and Frederick city bonds were
deposited collateral bearing the same num-
bers some of the bonds belonging to the
state sinking fund. The gravity of this Informal
ton is such that it becomes Imperative npon
me to communicate it to you at once in order
that An immediate investigation of the accounts
OF the state treasurer may be made and such
further action taken as may be necessary to
protect the states interest. / am. very respect
fully, l.. VICTOR BAuGHMAN, Controller"
''As soon as this letter reached me / endeav-
ored to communicate with the treasurer. but
/ have been unable to do so, and it has been
reported to me that he is critically i'll at his
home in Bclair. / feel it my duty without
further delay. to make known to you the
information conveyed to me by the controller,
that your honorable body may take prompt
action to investigate the affairs Of the Office of
the treasurer and ascertain whether the state
securities are intact or not. l have the honor,
DC, EIIHU E. jackson Governor"
In the senate Mr. Poe Immediately offered n
message to the house for the appointment of a
joint committee of three on the part of the
house and two on the part of the senate, to
take into consideration the subject matter Of
the governors message. Messrs. Poe and
Smith were appointed on the part Of the SEN
ate. Similar action was taken in the house
when the same message reached the lower
house.
HOW THEY TOOK 1T.
The story of the affair is told as follows by
the Baltimore Sun: The message from the
governor came like a shock to the members Of
the legislature. The presiding officers and
some OF the senators had been previously sent
for by Gov. Jackson and were told of the
Il
copy of the message into each house. and when
the business then up was disposed OF it was
read. The scene In the house, which was full
OF people. was almost Understandable. Members
fell back in their seats speechless for the time
and 1t was a strange sight to see strong men
crying like children. An unfounded report was
circulated during the excitement that tele-
gram had been received from Belair stating
that MIR. Archer was dead, but this was soon
contradicted Both houses adjourned at once
"A aft ar1 he ST Ia lob
bles and chambers were filed with members
and other people discussing the matter in
groups. Loud talking was suspended for once
and every one talked in an undertone. There
were number OF ladies in both houses when
the startling news was made public.
Gov. jackson and Controller Baughman
remained at the executive mansion Both we're
visibly affected. The controller paced the
floor and wrung his hands and he could not
control his feelings enough to give a clear
statement. 1t was his discovery of the hypoth-
ecation of securities held by the state that
led to the disclosures, and it his letter that
Gov. Jackson used as the basis for the message
to the legislature.
THE NOTES AND SECURITIES.
Controller Baughman reiterated the sub
stance contained in his letter. He said: 1.-TWO
of the notes that have traced here are for
$4,000 and s2,700 respectively. l do not know
the character or the amounts of the securities.
he sale utpOslt vault AT BaItlmOre stands
the name OF the state treasurer, and no one else
can have access TO it. On Monday was in Bal
tmore with the governor and attorney general
We sent kilograms to Mr.. Archer and waited
his carriage, but his illness stopped proceed
ings. 1t was my duty as state controller to Law
the facts far as knew them before the gov
ernor, and there was nothing else for me to do.
1t is not possible to know what is the condition
OF the state securities, because they are locked
up in the safe deposit vault. cannot say any,
hIrer 10 rhA Ol.ak.In
the affair"
Governor Jackson: at was one Of the great
est surprises that has ever fallen upon me- NV
confidence and respect for MIR. Archer were
sincere and often consulted with him upon
the most confidential subjects. l have had
nearly sleeplees nights since this unfortunate
affair was disclosed to Inc. There is nothing to
say tonight beyond the contents of the con-
troler's letter. But l have always been op-
posed to the investment of money for sinking
funds in other than securities of the state as is
allowed by the act of 1854. Such securities
cannot be Cancelled and they remain in the
sinking fund to be used perhaps as some of
them may have been. But | am not in the
mood to discuss any topic tonight"
FOUND IN THE WOODS.
The following account of Mr.. Archer's illness
is given by the Amerlcdn Mr.. Archer had
been in Baltimore on Tuesday and stopped at
the Carroliton hotel. He showed at that time
no sign of worry, but chatted pleasantly with
frie Is he found in the corridor In the even
ing he took the train for Belair. There he
stopped for a moment at the drug store of Or.
William II. Richardson, where he purchased
and lit cigar. Those who saw him in the
drug store noticed that his demeanor had
changed. He seemed worried about something
and did not chat with the people in the store in
his usual CHEEKY manner. After he had lighted
his cigar he said he must go to his Office as he
had several hours work to do before he went
to bed. His Office was but few steps from the
drug store and was in the new Masonic build
ing. There he worked for several hours as the
light was seen burning. He did not go home
at all Tuesday night and when his family
heard yesterday morning that he had been
IN Belair the evening before they were very
much alarmed about him. Search was begun
and about 8 O'Clock yesterday morning
Mr.. Archer was found wandering about
in the woods a couple of miles from
the town and nearly the same distance from
his home. When found his clothes were soak
ing wet and covered with dirt ana he had evil