The Butler weekly times. (Butler, Mo.) 1881-1918, 1906-12-13
SQUARES HIS ACCOUNTS
P. E. Grimes Voluntarily Pays to
State Of Kansas the Sum
of 1881.
STATEMENT BY THE FORMER TREASURER
Pays the Money to Avoid Long
Drawn Out Law Suit with Its
Attendant Worry and Expense -
Alleged shortage In no Sense
Defnlcntion.

-" 1870
DcfalcntIon.
Topeka, Kan, Dec. ll.-F. Z.
Grimes, ex-state treasurer, Tuesday
voluntarily paid TO the state of Kan
sas the sum of 1881, for which
amount an investigating committee
some time ago held his administra-
ton responsible. The alleged short
age was never considered in the light
of a defalcation in any sense of the
word and resulted from a practice
that had been the rule in the state
treasurer's office for many years be-
fore and after Mr.. Grimes assumed
the office. The investigation showed
conclusively that Mr.. Grimes was not
benefited in any way through this
practice In his administration. There
fore in making a payment to the state
now of the amount involved, he has
In an effort to clear his administra--
ton. assumed a responsibility at a
personal loss to himself. Mr.. Grimes
action closes case that had become
famous. Mr.. Grimes said In speak
in gof the case:
I'm order to avoid long.drawn-out
suit, with its attending worry and
expense Of lawyers, witnesses and
court costs and feeling under moral
obligation to do so, have agreed to
make settlement with the state OF
Kansas on the basis of $9,3S1.25. 1t
Is the judgment of the attorney gen.
eral that this is the amount for which
my administration as state treasurer,
should be held responsible. said,
last January, when the Haskins and
Sells. the accountants, report was
made public. that there was about w.
900 which appeared to be unac-
counted for. feel as though |
should have been given the benefit
of several items, by the attorney gen.
eral, which would have lessened the
amount considerable. had no
knowledge of any loss at the expira-
ton Of my term OF office but the
state shall not suffer any even
though am in no wise to blame for
1t.
Many of the apparent shortages
were caused by the practice OF al
lowing bond brokers to detach
coupons from bonds sold to the
state and there Is no complete re
cord of the bonds sold during that
time. have letters from bond
brokers stating that they legitimately
received the clippings of certain
coupons for the sale of bonds to the
state, some of which | am now COM
PEELED to pay although they were
never charged against the treasurer
or never were in the treasurer's office
However, the conclusion of the attor-
ney general is that | shall pay the
above amount and |, therefore, &C.
quesce in his decision.
Il have never had one penny from
che state that did not honestly belong
10 kne. | have been the victim of cir
cumstances, mistakes and unfaithful-
ness OF others and 1t is very great
hardship for me to have to pay this
money. am, however, deeply CRATE
Sul to the people of Kansas for the
confidence they have shown IN me
during the discussion of this matter
The press has been most kind anC
30 have the people everywhere, ant
rhis has helped me to maintain my
nositjon and credit before the world
/ would rather have the name o
heing honest and have the confidence
of my friends and the people thai
any amount of money"
After Mr.. Grimes had paid over tn
money Tuesday to the state treasuI
er's office, C. c. Coleman, attorne,
general, issued the following state
ment:
There will be a general feeling Q
zympathy on account Of Mr.. Crime
having to pay this amount. MI
Grimes has shown disposition q
the way through to help in maxim
right the matter 30 that the stat
should not lose anything on accour
ef any possible mistake which ma
have occurred during his administer
ton. No one connected with Il
case would believe but that Fran
Grimes has been absolutely straigl
and honest In his administration
state treasury affairs"
Gov. e. w. Hoch said: "The actt
Of Mr.. Grimes Is very commendat
and entities him to the confidence th
have always felt in him, and viii
I,believe most persons feel, that
was absolutely honest in the adm
istration Of the office Of state tre'
urer." On the check with which he pa
the alleged shortage Tuesday. \
Grimes wrote these words: "Vict
Of circumstances"
Hold Up Nominations.
Washington, Dec. 11.-Before |
uouofa confirms Tho uominathoua