The Van Buren press., 1893-02-25

to the Loopholes Loft Open for Rascali-
ty-He Makes Suggestions How to I'm.
prove Anhirs-A Wide Gap for state
Trsasurers.
LITTLE Rock, Ark, Feb. 17.-Gov.
Fishback yesterday sent message to
tho general assembly regarding the
charitable institutions. In speaking Of
the deaf-mute asylum he said:
Investigations show that large
share OF the funds appropriated for tina
benefit of the deaf-mute asylum has
been going to the credit, not of chari-
ty. but OF extravagant luxury Of other
than the objects Of charity. While
large sums OF money have been loosely
paid out for provisions and delicacies OF
the table, for entertainments and for
ornamentation and comfort for that
part Of the building occupied by
the employees, ali that part
distinctively set apart for the pupils
has been painfully wanting in the COM
monest comforts. A member OF the
board informs me that he dropped in
one evening while the pupils were at
their supper and there was no other
food upon their table than bread and
butter and tea. Another member in
forms me that he was called upon by
the present superintendent to visit this
part of the building-the basement
for the purpose of calling his attention
to the need OF greater comforts for the
pupils, and he found one tin basin for
the boys, one tin basin for the girls
and only two bath tubs for 1888 pupils"
In regard to the blind asylum the
message states that, apart from the ir-
regularitics mentioned in Gov Eagles
message, the examination had not yet
begun.
BUCHANAN's DEFALCATIoN.
In speaking of the lunatic asylum he
reviews the facts as to the shortage Of
DIR. S. II. buchanan, which he thinks
may possibly reach $4,000. After re-
viewing the method of this defalcation
the governor continues:
but the most disagreeabc feature
OF the affair is the fact that the board
failed to take bond, as is required by
law, from him during his last term, and
that it is precisely during this term
that his shortage was upwards of
&c, 900, for which the state has abso-
lutely no security, unless indeed the
board has, by their neglect OF duty,
rendered themselves personally liable.
Then there are other Irregularities, but
they are not ertinent to the purpose
of this message The gentlemen who
constitute the board OF trustees are
men whose characters for honor and
integrity no man will for q moment
doubt. The question then arises, how
or why, under such a board, could such
systematic embezzlement be so long
continued and to such an extent, with
out detection, and how is it to be pre-
vented in future? In my Judgment
there are three reasons for this state OF
things:
II. These boards are composed of
citizens Of Little Rock, who have SO
much business of their own and whose
time is so valuable that they can give
the affairs OF the institution but cur
sorry attention. They accordingly rely
too implicitly upon the honor of such
men rs Buchanan.
''2. Buchanan, having been both
treasurer a nd secretary, and the board
being too busy with their own affairs
to audit his accounts properly, was en-
abled to make his books put on an hon
est face.
''S. II the same men had constituted
the board for all these institutions, a
comparison of the conduct of them all
would have led, by their contrast OF
methods, to detection OF the defects,
as we'll as Of the excellence of each.
Accordingly would respectfully
recommend, by way of remedy. that
the boards OF all these institutions be
consolidated not only on the interest OF
efficiency but of economy. This would
give five trustees instead of fifteen, one
secretary instead of three, and one
purchasing agent. instead of three,
who. by purchasing at wholesale, can
buy more cheaply. A majority of this
board should be composed of citizens
residing outside of the city of Little
Rock, SO that when they come to attend
the meetings of the board they will have
no other business but this to engage
their attention, and who, coming. too,
from those regions of the state where
the tax crops are produced. will be
more keenly alive to the interest of the
taxpayer"
OTHER MATTERS.
The governor then goes on to say
that the state executive should be re-
lieved of some clerical duties which
take up his time at present lie then
explains the status of the amendment
to the constitution, and concludes az
follows:
1.-THE state debt board was called to.
gether few days since to order the
printing or lithographing of $500, 600 OF
evidence OF debt, to be exchanged by
the treasurer for bonds under the act
approved April ., 1891, and we discov-
cred q very wide door for fraud
In section II Of the act
These blank evidences of debt are
ell turned over to the treasurer
with no check whatever upon dis
honest man. These certificates when
printed should be delivered to the aud
itor and by him countersigned and
turned over to the treasurer and
charged to him under the orders Of
the board. As the law now stands it
would be very easy for the treasurer
to have thousands OF dollars issued and
put upon the market without detec
ton.