The representative. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1893-1901, 1894-11-14
INTEREST ON STATE FUNDS.
Work Cut Out for the Legislature
Next Winter.
An Interesting Investigation Started
by Populists.

Minneapolis Times, Nov H.
A movement is on foot to secure an
Investigation of the charges Of taking
"persOnul interest" which have been
made SO open within the last year and a
| half against State Treasurer Bobleter
| 1t originates with some Of the Popu-
list counties of the northern part Of
the state, but it has found number
of champions in the Republican legis-
lators recently named in the Twin
Cities, it is stated, and there is no
doubt but that the proper resolutions
ordering the investigation will be in
troduced in the lower house at the
next session of the legislature.
The movement is largely caused by
the success in Wisconsin, where a
condition of affairs existed similar to
that alleged in Minnesota.
Instead of the legislators undertake
ing the movement being Pops in the
Badger state, they were Democrats,
however, and they had a majority.
The investigation was undertaken,
the personal interest" cases were fer
reted out, and it was shown conclu-
sively that it was common practice
among the previous state treasurers
The evidence was not lacking when
the legislature looked thoroughly into
the matter, and the upshot of the
matter was a number of cases against
the bondsmen of previous state treas
urers to recover something like $3.50, :
900 personal interest alleged to have
been taken. The case was fought
stubbornly in the courts OF Wisconsin,
and finally went up to the supreme
court, where it was decided the bonds
men were liable for the whole amount
and they have been required to pay it
in full.
But the fight to recover the money
did not end at this point Treasurer
McFettridge. the last incumbent of
the Office previous to the Democratic
regime, was shown to have apDropri-
ated personal interest to the amount
of $103,S 74.02, and suit was brought
against him personally. He had to
diSgOrgc this sum, and if he had not
done so, the courts held that his bonds
men were liable to the state for the
amount.
Ever since the charges of personal
interest" were made SO openly in Min
neapolis, several persons have been
interesting themselves in the matter.
Just at present they desire to have
their names withheld in order to ac-
complish the more in their crusade.
but they have unearthed some tangi-
bic evidence in the affairs of the de-
funct banks that establishes the fact
almost without doubt. 1t is with this
in their possession that they have
pledged a number of Pop representa-
| tiveS in Clay and other counties. Some
of the Republicans from Hennepin
have teen seen and it is stated that
one Of them at least has agreed to
give his moral support to secure the
investigation.
The program is is to secure the in
vestigation early in the session. This
will permit it to proceed far enough
to show how matters stand before the
legislature adjourns and an act can be
passed instructing the governor to
take steps at once to institute legal
proceedings against Bobleter and 9TH
| erS.
The laws of the state, it is said, are
constructed much after those of Wis
cOnsin, in regard to the duties Of the
state officers, and permit exactly of the
same construction as those of the state
to the east. The amount alleged to
have been taken in the way of "per-
sonal interest" in the last IA years is
not so large as in Wisconsin, however.
and it is believed that it will come
within 100000, although an investiga-
ton might increase the amount
slightly There is difference in the
practices of the treasurer, in favor of
this state. In Wisconsin all the in
terest went to the treasurer as his
personal perquisite, but in Minnesota
he has turned a portion of it over to
the state, and it is alleged that over
and above that amount he has devoted
it to his own uses. The Migrant cases
of personal interest which have been
inves tigated up to the present time
include the money deposited in the
Bank of New England, the State
bank, the Farmers & Merchants, the
American Exchange and the Swedish
American. The latter, it was shown
when the case of H. O. Peterson was
on trial, paid personal Interest," on
moneys secured from the county and
the entry was made on the books to
| that effect. Another entry at tho
same time in nearly every case, was
of personal interest" paid to the
state treasurer.
The investigation of the subject
means the return of conSidera bic
money to the citizens of Minnesota,
and if it is proposed in the legislature.
as it certainly will be, there is no ex-
cuse on which any Of the members,
whether Republicans. Pops or Demo
vestigation. In Wisconsin. the whole
returns from the suits instituted
made tax levy for one whole year
unnecessary. While it is not believed
that such would be the case in Mime
sofa, the return of even 5000, 900 would
have tendency to lessen the levy,
or if it could not be applied this way,
would at least make a nice addition to
| the school fund.
| Company for HOyt.
| n tba