The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1907-04-09
THE REFORM
Inaugurated by NewYork
States Comptroller
Evident in Bill
FOR APPROPRIATIONS

ausurated by Comptroller Martin H.
Gfynn since he has had charge OF his
office are evident in the annual appro-
Drlatlon bill. Comptroller Glynn's dec.
Iaration that he would not stand for
bulk sums for expenses for state Off
cials who have been spending from
$500 to S25OO a year and never ac-
counting for the expenditures has re-
suited in a change.
This year the appropriation bill
provides that the officials who receive
the moneys which aggregate 100000
year for expenses must file vouchers
as contended for by Comptroller
Glynn. And Mr.. Glynn has caused
not a little apprehension In a good
many quarters by islsting that claims
due the state must be settled. Many
claims due the state for counties,
cities and others of individuals as
we'll as corporations go by default
each year, because the past comptrol-
lers have never thought II wise to
prosecute the cases and the state has
lost considerable. But Comptroller
Glynn intends to get all the money
due the state or know the reason for
falling to get It. He has directed
Attorney Philip A. Laing of Buffalo 10
prosecute without further delay ac-
lions against the bondsmen OF John
treasurers OF Erie county, to recover
losses in court and trust funds sus-
tained through the investment made
by those officials without the re-
strlctions provided by law and the
rules of the comptroller's depart
ment. Permit no further delay In
commencing all actions necessary
to recover the funds lost and prose-
cutting them to judgment" says Comp
troller Glynn In a communication to
Mr.. Laing From the records In
this Office II appears there has been
much delay already in this matter.
apparently for the accommodation of
bondsmon who have had ample time
to settle II they wished TO and In
5ist that unless settlement of all
these matters is made at once that
the actions already commenced and
those TO be commenced against the
bondsmen be prosecuted with all pos
sible speed"
Several thousand dollars, including
moneys held for the benefit Of infants,
were lost through these investments
which included the taking of mort
cages on real estate insufficient 10
secure the safety of the funds. The
investments were made during the
period between 1891 and 1896 when
Snckett and Baltz successfully held
the county treasurership and the con-
ditions were revealed In an inyestiga-
ton by the comptroller's department
conducted through WoTthington c.
Miner Of Buffalo. In 1902. Subse-
quently an action In the nature of a
test case was instituted against Baltz,
to recover losses incurred held for
Ella Lewson and others. infants. and
1t resulted in verdict OF 5000 An
appeal was taken to the appellate
division but the case was never NOV
ed on appeal. the claims of the benef.
claries being paid. While other pro-
ceedings were contemplated circum-
stances have resulted In a series of
delays and no further recoveries have
been effected. When comptroller
Glynn took Office he found that while
actions had been commenced against
the bondsmen OF Treasurer Balt2 they
had not as yet been pressed to final
disposition and no actions against the
bondsmen OF Treasurer Sackett had
been begun as they had expressed
desire to settle the matter out of
court.
Feeling that there had been delay
far beyond reasonable period In the
endeayor to effect recovery In the
losses sustained by these trust funds
the comptroller will not permit OF
further inactivity. He wants each and
every action, justified by the oondl-
tions existing, TO be carried TO final
and as quickly as pos
sible. With that purpose In view he
has written Attorney Lalng to proceed
forthwith in the prosecution OF the
suits.