The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1895-05-23
CITY TREASURER


Editor Pilot.
As certain unfounded rumors have been
circulated in regard 10 transactions between
myself and Mr. Fred Haukohl as City
Treasurer, with your permission, viii make
a statement TO the public through the Pilot.
When Mr.. Haukoh was elected City
Treasurer IN 1898 his bond was, by his CON
sent, fixed at $50, ooo.: before the I4th of
April he called on me much depressed and
said his supposed best friends had refused TO
sign the bond He theR-requested the bond
be reduced to S25. 600. and said he would
enter into 4 contract to keep every dollar OF
the City funds on deposit in the Manitowoc
Savings Bank.
In consideration of this agreement to be
made | on April Il, 1895 moved in the
Counil to have his bond reduced 10 s25, 600.
and II was doue and Mr. Haukohl executed
an agreement with the ManitOwoc Savings
Bank Is agreed and hi, bond was approved
by the City Council.
When he was re elected in 1895 bis bond
was placed in my hands as chairman Of Com.
on Assessments and Finance. 1t was the
plain duty o. such committee TO see that his
old account was correct and that he actually
had the funds charged him in the City books
on hand before the new bond was accepted Jy
the council. | took the figures from clerk s
books 10 show how much cash the treasurer
should have on hand both on March Is, 1905
aud also on the day made the examination.
| then called at the Bank where the agree
ment required the money to be deposited
and found that on each day referred to there
was deficiency of about $4,000. l gave the
figures TO Mr.. John Schuette at the time lie
gave me a statement of the balance on de-
post, | Immediately on Tuesday May 1t
called m Mr. EIarl-gbt aud called hIE fta~
ton TO the discrepancy and asked him 10
explain it.
After an examination Of his bank book he
admitted the discrepancy and said he had
checks for taxes not paid to balance the
difference; he said he would get the checks
Cashtd in two days and be ready to show 4
balance: he requested me not 10 speak about
t not even to balance of committee: | said
would not make it public and only called
his attention to the agreement and said |
would see him again. On Wednesday NOR
ming May 18th Mr.. John Schuettc called al
my office and had Mr.. Haukohl's agreement
with him and suggested chat the discrepancy
of $4,000 ought to be explained At once
which could be done in a few minutes, that
he did not care for the cash to be in his
bank As long as sufficient paper was on hand.
| agreed with him entirely and it was
arranged that | should call on Mr.. Haukohl
and invite him 10 90 TO the bank and pro
duce his checks and have the matter arrang-
ed, Mr.. Schuette saying that if there was a
shortage not too large, he would take some
kind OF security and advance the amount
and settle the matter without publicity.
called on MIR. Haukohl and found him in a
saloon with several friends; he spoke to me
first and we stepped back and the substance
of our conversation was as fOllOwS:-I re
ferred to the new bond and said we ought
10 report on it at the next meeting and that
| did not wish TO call the finance committee
together until he was ready to explain the
difference in the city books and the bank
books. He said he would get ii into cash
in a day or two and ,,,ded me to defer the
matter again; l said to him l did not urge him
on that point bat wished to see the checks he
had and to take the amounts of them; to this he
objected; told him if II would attract attention
the better way would be to get the checks and go
to Schuettes bank and balance the thing up: he
asked then, "dJesiauyone butEou know it, | said
Eyes. Mr.. Schuette knows what,I know about it;
| asked him for your account at the bank and he
then asked me for your account with the city
clerk and l gave him the figures, but, l said, Mr..
Schuette will say nothing about it; he ouly wants
quires.' Then l suggested again that he and my
self or he alone go and get the checks and that
we meet at the bank again assuring hIm it was
the best way and would be all arranged; he then
said frankly TO me that he did not have checks
enough to cover the deficiency; but did not give
me the axact amount lacking:n said, well, Fred,
then the best possible thing to do Is to get all
the checks and papers YOU have together at once
and We viii go to the bank and If there Is any
thing lacking Mr. Schuette will help you make
it up l told him we.had already spoken OF such
contingency and that | knew Mr.. Schuette
would arrange for what was lacking; that he had
SAID so and that we must not put it off and he
assented TO the arrangement and when we parted
! underatood from him that he would meet ar.
Schuette and myself at once at the bank and
that the matter wonld be arranged. There was
not harsh or unkind word spoken on either
side and IN fact there never passed unE1Iud or
harsh word between myself and NJ. Haukohl.
When arrived at the bank told Mr.. Schuette
that Frrd did not want to go to the bank but
that believed he would come down at once
We conferred as to how we could secure a shor-
tage if one realy existed but after three or four
minutes we concluded that as Mr.. Haukohl had
expressed an unwIlligness % go to the bank at
first, that Mr.. Schuette had better go down and
walk up with him. But befOr Schuette arrived
the act too well known was already committed
| can only say that in the proceeding | was only
actuated by sense of duty to do what | did and
that no threats or suggestions of any publicity
much less OF any civil or criminal proceedings
were referred to-. No such action was necessary
or ever thought of on my part. At first | only
suggested formal examination of the books
and accounts as was absolutely necessary. bot as
he hesltated | insisted that 1t oughto be explaind
atonce and the money or checks shown to balance
the account, This statement Is not made to
shield or excuse the action of any person cen
nected with the matter. 1t IS made because the
public are entitled to know all the facts that any
one knows in regard to this public calamity
Respectfully.
q. &. Sedgwick.
The above statement is correct so far as it re
lates to any transaction with me are concerned
and no blame can be attached to any one IN my
OplnlOn. Holm Srhrtaftn