The Ocala banner. (Ocala, Marion County, Fla.) 1883-194?, 1897-12-24

tunate deposit in the Merchants Nat
Ional bank of Ocala; but in deposit |
ing the funds of the state in banks
he but followed the precedents of
his distinguished predecessors in Of
fee. The ex-treasurer laid great en-
phasis upon the fact that when driven
from office he turhed over to his sue
cessor more than two hundred thous-
and dollars in available funds. Had
| been an emhe2zler,n he exclaimed
to the jury, "why could l not have
pocketed this large sum and not been
standing before you to-day, as you see
me, not only too poor to employ coun-
sci, but without dollar in the world"
So the great Give, after his return
from India, admitted 10 au.investiga-
ting committee of the house of Com
mons that he had received large sums
from the rulers whom lie had con-
quered, but said, in doing so, he vio-
lated no obligation of morality or
honor. He laid claim on the contrary
to the praise of severe disinteredness;
great princes, he said, depended on
his pleasure; he described an opulent
city afraid of being plundered appeal
ing to him for protection; wealthy
bankers bidding against each other
for his smiles; vaults piled with silver
aud gold and jewels thrown open to
him and laid at his feet. He ended
his defense with these memorable
words: "My God, Mr. Chairman, al
sand at this moment astonished at
my own moderation"
Mr.. Collins said had he not violated
both the spirit and the letter of the
law and had Withdrawn the funds of.
the state from the various banks in
which they We're deposited it would
have caused the suspension of every
bank in the state and inflicted upon
the people OF Florida calamity equal
to the great freeze. By pursuing the
course he did he saved 10 the people Of
the state millions of dollars and had
he pursued any other course there
would have been no school funds and
the unfortunate children of the state
at this very moment would be depriv-
ed of school privileges. All tins was
in the face of the fact that Governor
BlOXham testified that soon after his
induction into the office of Governor
he asked air. Collins if he had any of
the states funds IN the Ocala bank
and his reply was: mot dolar.n
Upon its failure a few days later the
Governor was astounded by the infor.
nation from Mr. Collins that he had
ON deposit in this bank "more than
$50 600 of the states funds" and in the
face of other evidence when he loaned
the bank this money, viz: SIS 600
about six months, and another $4,000
a few months later, lie knew it to be
in a sinking condition; in doing
which, Mr.. Walker and ex-chief JUS
tice Liddon, informed the jury, in the
hearing and with the consent and APP
prevail of the court, that it was a clear,
palpable, violation both of the organ
ic and statute laws of the state.
In the prosecution the state did its
full duty. Men much more learned in
the law, and more familiar with the
rules of practice than the writer, say
the state fully made out its case. The
arguments of both gentlemen were
strong and forceful. But the jury,
composed entirely of farmers, and sup.
posed to be without bias or prejudice,
quickly rendered verdict of acquit-
tai, and it WAS received with an out
burst ofapplause by those in the court
room.
Believing, or pretending to believe,
that he was the victim of cOnspira-
cy, Mr.. Collins now goes to his home
free man, believing, or pretending
to believe, that he is a martyr and a
hero; that a jury of his countrymen
has gladly and proudly placed upon
his brow laurel wreath as a healing
balm for injured innocence; and
toga upon his shoulders in illustra-
ton of his fitness and worthiness for
high, official honors. He goes out be-
fore the world unspotted and immac-
ulate; or, as he himself said, IAN hon
est manw We believe there is hid
den meaning in his warning to the
press and will not be at all surprised !
to see him enter the lists of candidates
for United States senator to succeed |
Senator Pasco. The full depth of his |
fertile genius and serene courage we |
believe has Dot yet been fully sound
ed.