The leader. [volume] (Brookhaven, Miss.) 1895-1905, 1901-09-04

THE STATE TREASURER SUS-
PENDED.
The following letter was addressed
by the Governor to Robert Showers,
State treasurer, on the afternoon of
Aug. 9th:
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
jackson, Miss, Aug. ", 1901.
Robert Showers. State Treasurer. jackson. Miss.
SIR In the statement printed in
the newspapers of this city on the 23rd
instant purporting to be signed and
given out by you to the public in ex-
PLANTATION of the shortage of the funds
in the treasury when the money was
counted by me on the 18th instant, |
note that you say:
II have on several occasions in the
past instructed my cashier, Mr.. Raj
ford, to place the funds in the differ
ent banks on good State and other
bonds, because of the crowded condi-
ton of the safe shelves, and in pur
suance of this authority the money
shown not to be on hand last Thurs
day could not be counted"
Under the provisions of section 2l56
of the code, paragraph ID, have the
honor to call on you to inform me in
writing: First, with what banks were
said deposits made T!
(a) How much was deposited with
each and date thereof?
(b) What security was taken by you
as indicated in printed statement
State fully or file lists.
(c) Has there been any consideration
paid, or agreed to be paid, by any de-
positary, or any one else, for the use
of the States funds deposited with or
used by them
Id We're entries of said deposits
made by you on the books in the treas
urer's Office If so, give the dates of
entry, name of book and pages thereof.
(e) What evidence did you take from
the banks showing such deposits Elk
hibit the same or copies thereof in
your statement.
f) If there are any other facts con-
nected with the treasury discrepancy,
which you deem proper to communi-
cate, please make statement as if spec
tally Intercepted by me.
would thank you for the informa-
ton herein requested by 8 o'clock a.
M, the 18th instant, if practicable.
Respectfully,
A. II. LONGING,
Governor.
To this communication of the Gov
ernor, Treasurer Showers made a
lengthy reply, pleading that as the
treasury vaults were not considered
safe, it had been his custom to keep a
portion of the treasury funds in diff
ferent banks as precaution against
robbery; that he did not consider this
violation of the law; that he had in
no way profited by the money thus de-
posted, but declined to divulge with
whom the money had been deposited,
unless the Governor would enlighten
him in advance whether it was his in
tention to use such information in le-
gal proceedings.
On receiving this communication,
the Governor addressed formal note
to Mr.. Showers, notifying him of his
suspension from office, pending further
action. A few minutes later, Hon.
Geo. w. Carlisle, who had been ap-
pointed as his successor, appeared at
the treasury, accompanied by Mr.. j. j..
Conan, the Governors private secre-
tary, to take possession. The money
was subsequently counted and found
to tally with the books, Mr.. Showers
was receipted for the same by the new
treasurer, and vacated to await the
next step the Governor might decide
to take.
Mr.. Carlisle, who is well and favor
ably known throughout the State, had
no difficulty in giving the 100000
bond, with the best of sureties.