The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1895-09-03
Astoria. August 81. 1895.

Astoria, August II, le9o
Editor Astorlan:-
/ was amused to see the gushing letter
of repentance from ex-Sheriff H. A. Smith
to his friend, C. ]. Treuchari, published
in the Astorlan of the 29th inst.
His financial statement '4ooks well"
and 1t may be OF some consolation to
his trusting creditors.
/ should not have troubled your readers
with this communication had I not no.
ticed this misleading clause in your edi-
torial OF the 9th 1.-THE statement made
by Mr.. Smith as to the condition of his
affairs Is probably correct" and the re-
marks OF two cltizens-I thought should
know better-that Smiths creditors would
come out all right. Why do the papers
or honest and intelligent men should
wl1itewash an eX-ohlcial who has not
only robbed the county, but its many tax
payers, who day after day presented re-
ceipts for taxes that he, Smith, has
afterwards advertised and sold to the
county, claiming in his bill the costs
and credit on the roll for the original
tax. l refer any who doubt this state
mant to Pat Gilmore, NJ. Foard and
County Clerk Dunbar
In August, 1891, Smith presented to the
county court his first bill for over $13,-
another bill for $16,596, which was also
rejected, because the court was satisfied
that he was not entitled to it and could
not collect one-half of it. Smith brought
suit before Judge Mcbride in the circuit
court, who referred the case to C. r..
Runyon to take testimony, and before the
testimony was more than half finished,
proposals were made to the county court
to settle for $1,000, which it ref lsed.
Finally Smith offered to accept $500, to
be repaid the county from costs due
from delinquent taxpayers. Wishing to
relieve the numerous creditors Of Smith
and believing the countys interests prop
erly guarded. the county court paid Smith
three 81 600 and one $500 county warrants,
SO that he could hand the warrants at
once to his creditors, and also $i57.H of
his fees that had been collected by the
county clerk. / notified several of the
creditors that Smith had this money
Smith agreed to collect all the delinquent
costs due him from the taxpayers. Let
Smith and his friends answer why he
snoaked off without paying his creditors
II he had $l4,7OO, or the one-lfth part OF
1t due him. The amount will depend
entirely upon what he gets out of the
delinquent taxpayers.
He has received from the county
as stated above in full of his
cldIm .s.....s..'s...s''..s...' ...''s,'. 'S5,JDI u
Short errors and overchargss, 1893. 2,931 .0S
Short errors and overcharges, 1892
and 1891, not included in settle
ment with former county court. 512
$7,24SA A
This latter amount the county wiz re-
tain from any money received. All re-
ceipts that he has issued while sheriff
on account Of taxes, and afterward sold
the same property are charged up
against him by the county clerk and
amount to several hundred dollars.
Mr. Editor. I have taken up more OF
your space than l had intended. l am
sorry that men whom Smith owed did
not get their money, but wish to inform
those who stand around and swear at
me for not paying them, | am not their
guardians. Very respectfully
j. II. d. GRAY.