The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1902-02-28
MY Dear Gaston," Says
Treasurer Cam eron.
He CALLS THEIR HAND
And Secures q Com pIete vindi-
cation Of Recent Charges
-.Glrls' Industrial
School Idea.
by Der z. WILLIAMSON,
y (Stan Correspondent.)

s| sa.F
COLUMBUS, Feb. 26.---State Treas
~ urer I. b. Cameron, the Colum-
biana county gentleman who presides
over the funds Of the state, has called
che hands Of those who would have IN
vestigated him for political reasons,
and has the satisfaction of having been
able to show that the situation in The
treasurer's Office Is all that can be de-
sired. When the subcommittee call
ed upon him he turned over everything
they asked for and showed them the
funds, giving them the opportunity or
counting them. They found that the
state had over $1,200, 900 in the treas
ury that was not appropriated, or
nearly three-fourths of a million more
than is needed to pay off the debt OF
the state. The committee also stated
that he had not loaned out any money
for personal profit or for any purpose
whatever.
When this report was made to the
finance committee It Immediately de-
cided to take the matter into the house
and give the members a chance to
make an expression on 1t. This was
done at Tuesdays session and occa-
stoned a lively debate, that lasted all
morning. 1t must be conceded that the
Democratic members are placed at
disadvantage by Mr.. Cameron and his
friends. They found that he not only
was not avoiding an investigation but
was courting 1t. After debating the
proposition to indefinitely postpone
the resolution to investigate. a vote
was taken and there were only 80 votes
against the plan. Then the treasurer's
inning came. There was Immediately
introduced, by Judge Thomas, Of Hur-
on, resolution as follows:
Whereas, a resolution has heretofore
been introduced in the house. being
H. r. No. 33, by Mr.. Sharp, providing
for the appointment Of committee by
the speaker of the house, with author
fly to count the monies in the state
treasury and to conduct thorough in
vestigation Of the manner in which the
duties Of the Office Of the treasurer Of
state have been performed by the var
ious treasurers, extending over a per-
iod of 10 years past, and to ascertain
whether or not there has been any
irregularity, such as illegal loans Of
funds, or advances on which interest
or premiums was paid to any one and
to report to this house as soon as prac-
ticable; and
Whereas, The author of such reso-
luton has made no specific charges OF
any misconduct, Irregularities, or dis
honesty on the part of any one, but
has, by the introduction of said reso-
luton in its peculiar form insinuated
only that there might be some irregu-
larities on the part Of the treasurer Of
state,,, or his predecessors in Office for
10 years past; and
Whereas, The treasurer of state has
requested that his said oofiice and the
manner In which his said office has
been and Is being conducted be inves-
tigated, be 1t
Resolved. That a, committee of three
be appointed by the speaker Of the
house, whose duty 1t shall be to count
the funds, examine the securities on
deposit in the treasury and ascertain
whether or not there have been any
Illegal loans or advances Of the fund
of the state on which interest or prem
iums have been paid to the treasurer
OF state and whether or not any of the
securities of the state, or securities in
his custody as treasurer have been
illegally used by the treasurer Of state
and that this investigation cover a
period of 10 years past, and In the per-
formance of the duties prescribed by
this resolution. said committee shall
. have power to send for persons and
papers and to require the attendance
of witnesses. Said committee shall
make its report to this house as soon
as practicable.
This resolution was In accordance
with the expressed wishes of Treasurer
Cameron, as is shown by the following
letter:
30 asa Columbus, Feb. ,25, 1909.
Hon. w. s.. McKinnon, n s't.l aL +,
Speaker House of Representatives,
Dear sir: r a7 a.s& da- ,,usliG :,
Observing that resolution suggest
ing possible irregularities in the con-
duct of the Office of treasurer of state
has been introduced by a member of
the house, and while no charges of any
character have been made In said res
olution, feel in justice to myself that
q committee should be appointed for
the purpose OF counting the monies in
the treasury. inspecting the securities
IN my custody and inquiring into the
conduct of the Office of treasurer of
state under my administration. / re-
spectfully request the appointment of
a committee for that purpose and sub
NIT that the committee when appoint
ed shall require the author of said res
olution to present to the committee
any charge that he may have in. writ
ing.
(Signed) ]. B. CAMERON.
This places the whole matter in the
hands of the friends Of Mr.. Cameron,
for the speaker, being a warm per-
sonal friend, will appoint a favorable
committee Still It is not insisted that
the investigation will not go into de-
tails of the conduct of the office.
The whole matter came about
through Mr.. Cameron's utterances on
the state depository resolution. Banks
that would be benefited by this plan
claimed that other banks were being
benefited by Mr.. Cameron In the way
OF loans, but when It came time to
prOYa II the avllence WAS NOT at hand