The Goodland republic. [volume] (Goodland, Kan.) 1891-1907, 1906-12-14
PAYS TREASURY SHORTAGE
GRIMES SETTLES WITH STATE OF
KANSAS
Gave His Check for S9,Ss1-25 and De-
cIares UnfaithTuIness OF 9th
ers Is Cause.

Topeka, Dec. 11-Frank z Grimes
this morning gave Attorney General
c c Coleman a check on the Bank
OF Topeka for S9,3SL25. The pay
ment was to cover funds unaccount-
ed for during MI Grimes term as
state treasurer The amount was a
compromise, and was decided upon
by Mr. Grimes and Mr.. Coleman
The alleged shortage during Grimes
term as state treasurer were reported
BY Haskins & Sells when they made
their examination Of the state treas
ury- The accountants charged large
sums I'D against Mr.. Grimes many
OF the accounts being Of such a ma
ture that the shortage charged by the
accountants received little credence
throughout the state Mr.. Grimes
said that the total amount unaccOUnt-
ed for during his term might possibly
be as high as $1,000, and that he
would pay this amount into the treas
ury- After many conferences with the
attorney general the amount of Sc
3Sl-25 was decided upon as full sat
isfactiOn for the states claim
4 am paying this mOnev out Of my
own pocket" said Mr.. Grimes this
morning. I am absolutely innocent
Of any dishonest action and never got
a cent belonging TO the state. As a
state officer, however, there is a moral
obligation on me to make good any
sum unaccOunted for during nv term.
and I have decided to fully satisfy the
attorney general think the amount
settled upon is too high. Seven thou
sand dollars would fully cover any
Just claim the state has against me-
MI Grimes this morning issued a
formal statement, which is here
printed:
I'm order to avoid a long drawn out
lawsuit with its attendin- worry and
expense OF lawyers, witnesses and
court costs, and feeling under a moral
ODngauOn TO do so, I have agreed to
make settlement with the state OF
Kansas on the basis Of $g,38125. It is
the judgment Of the attorney general
that this is the amount for which my
administration, as state treasurer
should be held responsible I said
last January when the Haskins and
Sells report was made public. that
there was about $1,000 which appear
cd TO be unaccOunted for. 1 feel as
though 1 should have been given the
benefit Of several items, BY the at
tOrney general, which would have les
sened the amount considerably. I had
no knowledge Of any loss at the ex-
plrauon OF my term Of Office but the
state shall not suffer any even though
am in nOwise to blame for it
Many Of the apparent shortages
were caused by the practice of allow
ing bond brokers TO detach coupons
from bonds sold to the state and there
IS no complete record Of the bonds
sold during that time. I 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 I am now
compelled to pay, although they were
never charged against the treasurer
or never were in the treasurer's Of
flee However, the conclusion Of the
attorney general is that I shall pay
the above amount and I, therefore
acquieSce in his decision.
Il have never had one penny from
the state that did not honestly belong
to me. have been the victim Of cir
cumstances because Of the careless
ness, mistakes and unfaithfulness Of
others and it is a very great hard
ship for me to have to pay this money.
am, however, deeply grateful to the
people Of Kansas for the confidence
they have shown in me during the dis
cussiOn Of this matter. The press has
been most kind and so have the peO-
pie everywhere, and this has helped
me to maintain my position and credit
before the world. I would rather have
the name Of being honest and have
the confidence Of my friends and the
people than any amount Of money.
FRANK z. GRIMES"