Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1898-05-04
WARD DEFALCATION,
Loss of $40, 900 Through a
RDubIican Treasurer.
Mr.. FULT0k'S MAN DUNBAR.
Story Of the Loss to C!atsop County
From Republican Paper.
Mr.. FULTON'S MAN DUNBAR.

IL r. j.. DunOdr connected WlJn
the Ward defalcation in Clatsop
county?
He is the Republican candidate
for secretary Of state.
Ia the event Of Il. T. Geer being
chosen United States senator, Mr.
Dunbar would become governor, as
well as secretary of state IL he is
chosen to that high office. We sub
init some more facts in the Ward de-
falcation case.
May !, the Salem Statesman said
editorially that F. / Dunbar, as
county clerk OF Clatsop county, had
been appointed "receiver of the
business, public and private" Of the
defaultIng Republican county treas
urer, and had collected and turned
over 10 ClatsOp county the entire
amount of the deficiency"
Less than a month ago the Asto
ria papers declared that not a dollar
had been paid over. 1t seems that
Chas. w. Fulton, Of Astoria, was at
tOrney for Ward, the defaulter, and
twice acquitted him with jurles
chosen by Dunbar. Fulton is on
Wards bond, so we are informed by
Salem merchant who lived in Astoria
and sknows all the parties. Fulton
also had Dunbar appointed receiver
OF Wards affairs and hence has per-
sonal interest in the case, besides
having been landlord for Ward g.
Howell, and haying nominated Dun
bar for secretary OF state.
1t may be that.Dunbar was entirely
innocent Of all wrong doing In the
Ward defalcation, but it is not yet
shown to be true that Clatsop county
has been secured for the loss.
THE STORY OF THE DEFALCATIoN
as it appeared in the Astoria Daily
News, Republican paper now sup
porting Dunbar, was as follows:
BUNCoING THE COUNTY.
"You are hereby discharged from
further consideration Of this case,
and from further duty at this term OF
court.
at is to be hoped that 10 future
the county will be either more sue.
cessful in the selection OF its public
officers or the Jurors who try them
when they steal"
The aboye is the blessing of Judge |
given to the Ward Jury
after returning its verdict to the
court last Saturday. The verdict was
acquittal. The defendant was in
dicted and tried for the conversion of
$4,000 OF county funds to his own use |
while serving as treasurer. He re-
ceived the money, but has failed to
return IL up TO this hour.
Mr.. Ward having been acquitted,
let US see how the county stands:
The county is out $4,000, money paid |
TO the ex-treasurer. Three years |
Interest on that sum at per cent is
$2280. The trials of Howell and Ward |
have cost about 5000. AS IL stands
now, the county Is out not less than
10000. This is about a 7.mill assess
ment on all the taxable property OF
Clatsop county, and If Mr.. Ward had
been faithful TO his trust the taxes
this year would be mills less than
they are.
No wonder Judge Mcbride was
severe in his closing sentence to the
Jury. He must have felt momentar-
ly the lack of respect for the law and
Jhe courts which the verdict would
inspire among the people, after being
Duncoed out OF their money. Mr..
Ward had been tried twice. Twenty
four men had heard all the evidence,
aud still out OF that number there
was found but one whose knowledge
II rightand wrong constrained him TO
lold the lsworn, paid officer OF the
people responsible for the lost $4,000.
The verdict in the Ward case is
this; Mr., Ward for
,hree years. while officiating as county
treasurer, had not guilty knowledge
II the conversion OF the county funds
Turing that time.he received them and
made his semi-annual statements
without knowing what he was doing;
le was totally Incompetent TO dis
harge the duties OF his ofiicei he was
merely tool OF Mr, Howell, who
ppropriated and used the stolen
money without the treasurer's kaOwl-
dge or consent.
This Is hard statement OF fact TO
wallow, but Elt Is what the jury
'ould have the people believe.
While the jury failed 10 hold Mr..
Yard responsible for the larceny OF
ubllc money, his bondsmen were
thoroughly convinced OF his guilt and I
ssponsibility. Immediately, when
hey discovered be was short. they
ompelled him and his partner 10 turn
Yer N them all the merchandise and !
ther assests 0f Howell 4 Ward, in
iyidually aud collectively. They