The Camden chronicle. (Camden, Tenn.) 1890-current, 1893-04-14
THE MONEY OF THE PEOPLE.
How It was sqnandered by Prominent OF
iicials of the State.

sational speech in the house last
week in regard to the way things
had been managed in some of the
State Offices during the past four
years while the following resolution
vas under consideration:
BE It resolved by the house of repre-
sentatives, the senate concuring that
the committee appointed to investigate
sthe Offices ofcomptroller and treasurer Of
the State are hereby granted an extern
sion of time in which to complete their
labors, it being impossible to perform
Che duties imposed upon them without
such extension provided said extension
Of time shall not exceed sixty days.
This extension is allowed because a
full and complete investigation can not
be had without the same, and upon the
statement of said committee, based upon
partial examination, that it is neces-
gary to theaccurate performance Of their
duties that their labors be continued
No allowance shall be allowed said com
mittee except the usual per diem OF a
member of the legislature, restricted to
days OF actual performance of their serv-
ices, ard such expenses of experts and
witnesses as are absolutely necessary.
Said committee shall fully and accur-
ately report and file with the governor
the result of their labors in writing
Mr.. Garrett moved that the rules
be suspended fol- the purpose OF
considering the resolution.
Before the motion could be put
Mr.. Ellis, chairman Of the house
branch Of the investigating COM
mittee, was allowed the privilege OF
the floor to make a statement rela-
tive to the reasons why the resolu-
tion should be adopted.
Mr.. Ellis said the committee had
been diligently at work since Feb
ruary 2. They had been prevented
from beginning sooner because the
new officers had not taken charge
and the committee could not secure
eontrol Of the books Of the old Off.
GERS.
at has," said Mr.. Ellis, "beer
charged in this house that this com
.mittee has employed experts at ex
orbitant salaries. In answer to this
/ will say that the committee wrote
to prominent experts in all parts O
the State and asked the rates a
which they would work. A form
er member Of the house, Mr.. Cd
lum. Of Memphis, declined to sery'
for less than $25 per day. How
ever, the committee succeeded il
getting four frst-class men at Sl'
per day each. They could not b
secured for less.
"The FIRST thing we did was t
compare the books in the two Off
ees, in order that we might see hoy
they tailed. After considerabl
labor we discovered that we coul
not find out anything in that way
so we examined every voucher.
eve wrote to every official in th
State who transacted business wit
either of these Offices. More tha
500 letters we're sent out asking fo
information. 1t was impossible
Get at the facts III amy other way.
"Now, / propose to show thi
house some facts and figures tht
can not be successfully disputed b
any man. For instance, we foun
thaton April 13, 1891, the Souther
Express Company paid to Conn
troller Allen S6,000in privilege tal
es. On August -, 1892, one yes
and four months later, the conn
troller's books shows that $500
the above amount was paid into IL
treasurer's office by him.
"On Augustl3, 1892, one yearan
four months after date of paymel
by the company, the sum Of S2,4t
was turned over to the treasure
and on December 10, 1892, one yet