New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-10-18
DECISION AGAINST HCTSON.
GOVERNOR DIRECTS THE REMOVAL FROM
OFFICE OF CHAUTAUQrA COUNTYs
TREASURER


Albany Oct II SpeciaD.-Governor Roosevelt last
night heard the summing up in the charges against
Thomas Hutson. OF Mayville. County Treasurer Of
Chautauqua County. and Republican nominee for
reelection. The charge against him Is appropriate
Ing 10 his own use the county funds No one
present but the counsel for both sides and the
Governors legal adviser. Judge A z. Lincoln.
The proceedings decidedly peculiar consider
ing the fact that Hutson has been renominated by
he Republicans and to-day is the last day on
which political committees make changes In
nominations Another feature Is that Hutson is
close to Mr. Nixon Speaker Of the Assembly. and
stands high in Republican circles in Western New
York.
The Commission having the investigation in
charge has been impatient with the Governor
the many delays. he having been acquainted
with the charges early In September
Yesterday he Informed Arthur c. Wade and
Speaker Nixon, counsel for Hutson. and Herman
Sixbey and Seth Scriven. the compliments. that
he would hear their summing up Mr. Nixon and
Mr.. Wade appeared for Hutson. and William H.
Tenant and H. c. Kingsbury for the complain
ants.
All appeared al the Executive Mansion. which IS
an unusual occurrence. AT the conclusion OF the
summing up, which was behind closed doors Gov
ernor Roosevelt directed Judge Lincoln to prepare
papers for the removal OF Hutson from Office
II is stated that the Governor said he could not
,ional Bank to Hutson which the latter accepted.
II was in this bank that Hutson kept the county
funds on deposit. and had what was called an
open account" for which the bank gave him. II
IS alleged. a handsome bonus. The complainants
gave testimony 10 show that Hutson used the
county money for his personal purposes. loanng II
out on interest. and when the investigation was
begun endeavored TO make reparation by refund
ing certain sums. They also allege that he had
related the interest upon returned taxes IN FAVOR
FORMAL ORDER OF REMOVAL.
Governor Roosevelt tonight issued the formal
order removing Hutson from Office. After review
ing the case and describing the circumstances IN
Guiding the report Of the Commissioner who In
vestgated the charge. he says:
1t appearing to me that. in violation OF law and
Supervisors of Chautauqua County the amount OF
interest received by him on county funds: that he
i,onai Bank one Of the banks in which the funds
OF the county were deposited by him; that the sg-
wit, 81 ss5 %. was kept and retained by him as his
own property until after the commencement OF this
proceeding, when said amount was paid by him into
the treasury Of the county II is therefore ordered
ha h rs said @ es OF nfTssy Is T
the county OF Chautauqua.
The Governor filed long memorandum with the
order of removal He removes Hutson practically
on the receipt OF the 500 present from the bank.
about which he says:
This think Is the most serious TACT developer
by the inyestg cation OF these charges. or course
no County Treasurer should receive present from
a bank In which he deposits public funds and
when Mr.. Hutson received this check he ought
either TO have returned II AT once and declined TO
accept It. or II II was accepted II ought 10 have
been accepted as interest and credited such 10
the county. and the bank should have been noti-
Ned accordingly
On the whole case I am reluctantly obliged to
the conclusion that the facts so disclosed
sufficient warrant the finding that Thomas
Hutson as Treasurer OF the county OF Chautau-
qua. has been guilty Of misconduct and malfeasance
In ONCE. which justlhes his removal