Evening journal., 1891-03-02
LoosENEss N BONDING.
state Treasurers' Bonds Frequently Lef
Unregistered.

state Treasurers' Bonds Frequently Left
Unregistered.
The failure Of ex-State Treasurer
William Herbert to pay over promptly
the funds of the state which were sup
posed to be in his hands at the time his
successor was elected, has called atten-
ton to the fact that the grossest loose
ness has existed in the matter OF bonding
the treasurers of the state for years past
The powers of this official in the hand
ling of the states funds are somewhat
remarkable and in the direct opposite to
this the safeguards are the loosest Early
in the present century the legislators
recognized this and made the
amount Of this officials bond
very large This was increased until
during the war it was fixed at
$3.50 goo, owing to the fac that the pro
ceeds of the loans that were then made
by the state passed though his hands
The law requires that the bond shall be
upon its completion, fled in the office of
the secretary OF state and entered upon
the executive register ana another copy
shall be sent to the state auditor When
this is done it becomes the duty Of the
governor to approve the bond and then
the secretary Of state certi6es the fact to
the General Assembly, if in session. II
is doubtful if the General Assembly has
had the pleasure for years Of receiving
this certifcation.
Previous Abuses.
When the late Secretary Of State John
Ponder Salisbury assumed Office, he was
surprised to learn that not only was the
state treasurer's bond not entered upon
the executive register, but was deposited
with lot Of other papers ia an old wooden
box, without a lock and liable at any
time to be lost. The treasurer at that
time, John Mitch Houston, settled his
accounts after Mr. Herbert was installed,
and thus removed all danger. When Mr.
Herbert was elected, among his bonds
men were the late Henry Eekel, John p.
Donahoe, Joseph Hyde, John Fehrenbsch,
Joseph Stoeckle and Henry d. Kick
man Most of these gentlemen were
engaged in business at that time
| which would have been embarrassed, had
it been known that such a large judg-
ment bond was entered up against them
and several of them stipulated that it
should not be. Their request was com
piled with for time at least. The bond
was deposited in the safe of the secre.
tary of states Office and kept there for at
least six months, Fiji was ever placed
ON the register it was done after that
time.
Renewal ofthe Bond.
A question that has arisen in view Of
what took place then, is, was the
original bond ever renewedr 1t is
believed that it was not and should this
be true an interesting case of liability
arises. Should this not have been done
then it is doubtful If the securities could
be held.
Among Mr.. Herbert's friends it is
stated that he has got into this
difficulty through the failure OF a
number of officials to settle with him.
Under the provisions of the Revised Code
all public officers who collect money for
the state are bonded directly to the state
treasurer and that official is RESPONSIBLE
directly to the state for the monies col
lected, he in case of default looking to
the bondsmen of the defaulter. In one
case. Mr.. herbert's friends claim that
when the term of county official ex-
J pired, a large sum was due and s-ttle-