New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-03-27
TO GUARD STATES PURSE.
ReUeIatiOnS in Indiana Lead to De-
mand for Nep Laos.

Indianapolis, March % CspeciaD.-The enforced
resignation Of three state officials within six
months, the finding by experts that two others long
since out OF Office, owe the state an aggregate of
Sll5,GJ, and the further showing by these experts
that many others late in making their settle
ments with the state and were, technically at least
defaulters the days fixed by law for settlements
have combined to create a decided sensation
throughout Indiana. Following in its wake is a
strong demand that there shall be better safeguards
around the public purse and a stricter enforcement
Of the laws against all such delinquents
Augustus c. Daily, former State Auditor. who
Is charged with having collected and appropriated
fees which, with accrued interest aggregate SS 600
which should have been turned into the treas
ury. is a banker at Lebanon a man Of undoubted
probity and one Of the most prominent Republicans
in the state. John o. Henderson charged with
having in the same way and under the same law
appropriated fees. together with interest,
ing TO $1,000. is interested in many business enter
prises, is a man whose private life is above re-
preach, and who for years has been leading
Democrat. It IS admitted all sides that these
two took as fees the sums which the state will
try 10 recover and that both did it believing that
they were entitled 70 them under the law. It Is
therefore. matter OF law construction wholly ard
II the court OF last resort shall decide that the fees
were not theirs the money. with the accrued inter
The conditions which have been found to exist in
the state Offices are easily traceablc to two
failure Of executives 10 demand accountngs
promptly ana cufsory examinations of reports when
those accounungs were made. Messrs. Daily and
henderson submitted reports or the AFFAIRS or their
Offices 10 the Legislature through the Governor and
these reports showed precisely the amounts that
had been collected for each year Of their and
the amount OF fees that had been retained. Thus
the governors who passed upon them and the leg
islatures TO which the reports submitted both
agreed that they were correct yet decade after
these TWO officers have retired from office dis
covered that they, according TO the states
ton, failed 10 perform their duty and took from the
| people more than the law allowed them.
/ The investigation by the experts shows that many
II the state officials wholly disregard the law in
| respect 70 the time when settlements should be
hands in bits after the day due and IN some
cases month after month passed without having the
/ books squared This money of course. had all been
/ collected by them. and under the law assumed
! 70 be IN their hands at all times In the case OF
/ William D. owen. Secretary Of State from 1856 to
! lst+ the books show that he Of office 4
defaulter. and that he did complete settle
nents till nearly years had elapsed He is now
under indictment IN Boston for connection with the
/ the money he got from that scheme went TO make
good the amount he owing the Il is now
| known that he made his final settlement under
| threats OF exposure
| The result Of the investigation and the conse-
/ quent developments viii be- a departure in
Indiana II the Legislature viii second The recon-
i mendations of Governor Hanly. for he has deter
! mined that all money coming into the hands Of
( state. county and township officers shall be de-
! designations viii sbe made after interest bids are
] received from the banks and the paying nc
highest rate is known and proper security given.
/ Hereafter the Indiana official will have 20 make
daily deposits, and all his disbursements will have
/ 10 lie b. check.