The Bolivar bulletin. (Bolivar, Tenn.) 1888-1946, 1899-03-17

Ireasurers commission for 1892 ........... 447.5
lreasurer's commission for 1s93-4....- ... S49OS
Treasurers commission for 1s95-6......... ISL OS
Treasurers commission from December 10,
1896, to December 49, 1s97.............,... 556.ss
S5,168. 3S
At the regular meeting of the
board of trustees, December 10th,
1898, the board was reorganized
and officers elected. Mr.. Austin
Miller was a candidate for reelec-
ton to the office of treasurer.
knowing that some of US found
fault with his conduct as an official,
he asked on the day before the
board met, in the presence of all
the members, to be allowed to ex-
plain. He was confronted with the
following questions:
l. What was the necessity for
the execution of the note for 3d.
913.79, on July s, 1897?
2. Why had you overdrawn your
account on February 8, 1898, $685.
077.60, including the above note,
when the state and insurance COM
panies had, before that time, paid
you every dollar of that money and
good deal more besides?
He was given all the time he
wanted to explain. After hearing
him patiently, a majority of the
members of the board decided that
his explanation did rot explain.
Mr.. Miller, seeing that be could
not be reelected, withdrew, and his
name was not presented as a candi-
date for treasurer. The board
elected DR.. Wright as his successor.
Soon afterwards, Mr.. Miller settled
with DR.. Wright, the new treasur-
er, paying over to him all the mon
les in his hands belonging to the
HOspital-then, and not until then,
the board made its report, saying:
"That the financial management of
the institution by the superinten-
dent was economical, and all funds
passing through the stewards and
treasurer's hands were properly ac-
counted for" The treasurer's re-
port showed a large surplus.
When the legislative committee
visited the Asylum the committee
was not called upon to investigate
this matter, because the whole af-
fair had been settled prior TO that
time, and there was no disposition
to injure Mr.. Miller.
For this performance of duty we
owed the taxpayers and the most
unfortunate of all Gods creatures,
the insane, Mr.. d. E. Durrett and
myself we're singled out to have in
vOked on our heads the vengeance
of Gov. McMillin's administration.
BY the political pull of Miller and
his adherents, including our two
local representatives in the legisla-
ture, John r. Reaves and James A.
Foster, two other men were named
as our successors.
Now, the position of trustee is
not desirable one, as the compen-
sation amounts to almost nothing.
[ have discovered by experience
that member who does his duty
will have a great deal of trouble.
No man should be turned down,
however, for doing his duty.
felt sorry for Mr.. Miller, but l
could not, and would not, sit silent
ly by and see him withhold thousands
upon thousands of dollars from the
institution of which [ was a trustee
and then collect interest on money
that he as Treasurer had borrowed
from the Bank without necessity;
nor was | willing to allow him to
pay out the public money to his
brother for an unauthorized act; nor
to make exorbitant charges for I'M
necessary trips to Nashville. This
money, some of which was collected
from people by taxation, who had not
the neceSsaries of life, was intended
for the poor wards of the state, be-
reft of reason. [ refused to see
them deprived of their just dues.
| knew my duty, did it and feared
no man. When this overdraft
matter, interest and G. A. Miller's
account were brought to the atten-
ton of the members of the board, !!
composed of ]. r. Godwyn, DIR. w.
NJ. Wright, d. E. Durrett, Austin
Miller and myself, it stood as unit
in opposition, with the exception of
one man, and that man was Austin
Miller.
In conclusion, / viii state that /
have in my possession documentary i
proof of the above charges. which