The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-03-21
FREDERICK. NELSON 8 MUNRO. RlaIto Block.


eoverea By means os this collection regis
ter whfeh myself caused 20 % prepared
and had kept In the Office. and which. with
the various figures making Up the settle
nsnrs with fas county treasurer. has re-
NAMED constantly subject 70 pubic sx-
animation for the last SIX years"
what Mr.. MeEiroy says
Mr. McElroy was Interviewed last even
ing b. a reporter in regard 20 the alleged
saortaEe OF John II. McGraw, as sheriff
% King county, from fsss to 1851 He
stated that ne and the board OF county
commissioners mad made an investigation.
with the assistance OF Douglass Young
as expert. OF the delinquent tax rolls in
the sherEf~s Office for the term the sheriff
was ex-ofici0 tax collector; that they had
been acting IL secrecy but presumed the
publication of the shortage probably re-
moves the seal % secrecy.
When Mr.. Young reported a shortage"
said Mr. McElroy. about the Eth or sta
OF March. the governor was called upon
20 attend q meeting with the prosecuting
attorney and the board OF county commits
siOners. He stated that ne was not aware
Of any shortage existing in his Office: that
at about the time OF retiring from Office,
realizing that by reason OF his having left
the matter OF tax collections largely 10
his clerks and deputies. mistakes might
have been made. be employed Mr.. Mott
an expert accountant, 10 make thor
ough examination Of his books and 10
report 70 him what sum OF money be
owed the county: that upon that report
he paid the balance (the amount OF which
! do not now rememberl to the treasurer
ln settlement OF MS account: that at that
time he was informed by Mr.. Mott that
this was the total balance shown by the
books 70 De due TO the county The gov
ernor stated that he had every confidence
in the ability OF Mr.. Young as an expert
20 check ever the books. and that he would
use every effort In his power 10 secure
the county in any sum that might be
found 10 be due and that he himself
would take the account of Mr.. Young and
20 over IT, and IL he found the same 10
be correct. would make a settlement with
the county on that basis He stated that
owing 20 the financial depression which
was existing at the present time he would
not be able 10 pay the cash. He stated.
however. that he would use every effort
in his power 10 raise any sum or money
found due and cover the cash into the
county treasury at once.
Upon further interview with the gov
ernor he stated that he would not be able
20 furnish the cash: that his friends We're
carrying all that they were able 70 carry
at the present time. and that upon consid-
Grafton he had concluded he would not be
justified In calling upon them for assist
ance IN his difficulties. but that he would
be willing 20 turn over all OF the real es-
tate which he possessed which was not al
ready pledge to secure the account. The
governor submitted TO me a list OF his
properties which investigated. and made
a counter proposition. which is under con-
sideration at the present lime and upon
which have every reason TO expect TO be
able 10 effect a settlement.
The records In the Office. as far as am
aware do not show any effort on the part
OF himself or any OF his deputies or clerks
to cover up or destroy any of the record
evidence OF the Office which would go 10
show a shortage.
AT no time since this matter has been
called 10 the governors attention has he
suggested or intimated any desire TO plead
the statute of limitations or any other de-
Tense against any sum OF money which
would be found TO be due the county upon
the final investigation. On the contrary
Gov McGraw has shown a disposition to
nav or secure any sum found 10 be due. /
regret that the fact OF this investigation
was made public. as l desired to give the
governor every opportunity TO secure the
county before the matter became public.
and that was the desire and intention OF
the board OF county commissioners in their
consideration OF the matter. We felt that
II was for the best interests OF the county
10 pursue that policy. Since the pubiica-
ton OF the alleged shortage. Gov. McGraw
has assured me that his intention Of Sc
curing the county against any loss is the
same that II has been since he was first
| Informed that a shortage was claimed 10
exist"