Dakota farmers' leader. (Canton, S.D.) 1890-19??, 1898-10-14

the evening organ of the railroads and
monopolies in Sioux Falls with brazen
effrontery, and all the time knowing
the truth to be that these charges were
true, said in its issue of Sept. Z:
"These are very serious charges; if
they are true the two men accused
should promptly step down from the
Republican ticket"
No one knew better than the editor
who penned these lines that Kirk Phil
lips had been receiving interest on the
deposits of the state funds in the Da
kota National Bank in this city, as we'll
as on deposits in other banks.
FACTS ABOUT THE INTEREST.
Now the facts disclosed by the depo-
sition of Gale s. Carpenter, the assist
ant cashier of the Dakota National
Bank down to the time of it's failure,
are that on the first of each month or
thereabouts there was sent through the
United States mails a draft by the Da-
kota National Bank to K. g. Phillips,
covering the amount of interest on his
average daily balance for the month
preceding, and that the interest was
never turned into the public treasury.
Mr.. Phillips as treasurer, has had in his
hands during his four years from $780,
900 to $500, 900. The average has per-
haps been not less than $500, 900. Inter
est on this amount at 4 per cent would
be $4,000 year or $4S,OOO for four
years, the period covered by his two
terms. The facts disclosed in the depo-
sition of Mr.. Carpenter can be verified
by the books and records of the Dakota
National Bank now in the possession of
the receiver in this city. The draft
register in possession Of Mr.. thinner
man as receiver of the Dakota National
Bank has been examined by persons re-
siding in this city and it fully and com
pletely corroborates Mr.. Carpenters
sworn testimony
THE UNWILLING WITNESS rEsTIF1Es.
1t will be noticed in the deposition,
the material portions of which are
given below, that the witness evaded
as much as possible and did not want to
disclose the facts and wherever it was
possible gave evasive answers. The
truth, however, is so apparent that he
who runs may read. It may further be
said that this deposition was taken
under stipulation Of two attorneys in
this city in case now pending in court
in which they are counsel on opposing
sides and is part of the public records
of the county. After it became knowr
that this deposition had been secured
there was lively scampering among thu
machine bosses of the Republican part,
in this city. The witness is a Republi
can and all kinds Of appeals and efforts
have been made to induce him to dis
credit his own sworn testimony Hi
statements, however, are fully corrob
Grated by the books of the Dakots
National Bank and his testimony wa,
taken down by shorthand reporter
and the fact that K. G.. Phillips al
treasurer of South Dakota received in
terest on his average daily balance or
his deposits Of the public funds in thu
Dakota National Bank in this city il
established beyond question.
The following are the material por.
tions of Mr.. Carpenters deposition:
THE TRUTH SWORN TO.
@. Mr.. Carpenter, you reside in
Sioux Falls now? A. Yes sir.
@. We're you at one time employed
in the Dakota National Bank? A. Yes
sir.
@. At what time? A. I cannot tell
exactly, for seven or eight years.
Q. You were in there at the time the
bank failed? A. Yes sir.
@. Had been there for seven or eight
years before that time? A. Yes sir.
@. In what capacity? A. Assist
ant cashier for the last three years.
@. Your father was cashier during
that time? A. Yes Sir.
O. During that time you dicharged
the duties of assistant cashier? A. Yes
sir.
O.. Did Kirk G.. Phillips have an in
dividual and personal account in the
bank? A. Yes sir.
Q. Did he have an account Of his
own or an account as treasurer? A.
As treasurer.
@. He had no personal account?
A.. No sir
G. The only account that he had
was as treasurer of the state of South
Dakota? A. Yes sir.
@. That continued during the years
of 1896, 1895, 1894 and 1898, didn't it?
A. I could not say without looking at
the books.
@. It continued during all his last
term. 1896? A. When the bank closed.
@. 1t would be during the term of
1S95 and 1892 A Yes