Evening journal., 1907-02-02
.RAWLINS WAS
AFTER BANK TAX
Could Not Compel Payment
Without Specific ACl OF
Legislature
STATE BADLY NEEDS MONEY
speclal to The Evening journal

eating before the Senate yesterday the
passage Of the resolution arraigning the
State Treasurer for falling to collect lax
from tho banks Of the state, said
Mr.. President, It seems 10 me that It
is time we were placing this responsibility
where it belongs. We have an the law
necessary and 1t Is so regarded by all the
banks, one Of which pays regularly and
all Of the others holding a separate fund,
waiting for the enforcement Of payment
Now this State Treasurer Of ours is not
such "a watchdog Of the treasury as is re-
puted. We have a $4,000 deficit, which
would not be IL the state Treasurer had
been as Jealous IN getting money that is
due as he Is In keeping H. This resolu-
tion summons him before ahe bar Of this
Senate and allows US to collect this money
from him. He had no hestancy in held
ing up fifty-two members OF this General
Assembly as petty grafters and thieves
for a paltry $65 salary allowance last
summer
Now, he must be made to pay. We necd
tho money. We have repealed tax law
after tax law in this State, only recently
having repealed the manufacturers tax
which would have netted us $4,000 This
treasurer knew this money was due and
was ordered TO collect Il. but he has
adopted a 'do-nothing policy and the
State is suffering. Farnhurst and all her
wards are suffering; we are practically
without a purse
Senator sparks-"Such n drastic raper
has never before come into this Senate
1t shows nothing but venom. It Is an
insult to "a State officer who has been
jealous. probably over jealous in the dis
charge of a most important duty To pass
such an arraignment without even allow
Ing him the prior right TO speak and ex-
plain this situation 20 a committee rs
nothing short OF outrageous. I have no
objection 10 a resolution Of inquiry pro-
vided Il is first referred 70 committee
but to a peremptory summons and put
ting on trial Of this state official am
bitterly opposed"
Mr.. Rose objected to any consideration
by committee.
Senator Moore inquired "woud the
gentleman be willing to have the whole
Senate consider It in committee OF the
wholeq"
Mr.. sparks-'I might, but the finance
committee is sufficient As.
Mr.. Moore-'Mr. President,,I have no
venom and not all the intelligence that I
would like to-day, but I am going to in
slst on the state Treasurer being made
to pay this money He has accepted office
again. knowing the State looked to its
treasurer TO collect these and all other
taxes The auditing committee specifically
required IL of him. Now this Senate can
not further dodge the question. II we wait
on some lawyer 20 write an opinion we
will all go 10 tho poorhouse."
Senator sparks-'I certainly oppose that
resolution. All that sort Of verbiage about
calling on his official bond for that money
is most objectionable. This man. who is
most capable Official must not be sub
iccted 10 this summary treatment Let's
respectfully ask him 20 explain and In
committee Of the whole II necessary"
The question was called for and the
resolution was adopted 70 ayes and nay.
Colonel sterner. secretary of the Senate,
was sent after the state Treasurer When
Mr. Rawlins appeared he said;
Gentlemen of the Senate. my pred'css-
sor. Mr. Burris a lawyer took this mat
ter up fully and so have I, with the de-
lnquont banks The state ought to have
this money but my predecessor and my
self have both ascertained that we cah-
not collect Il unless specifically authorized
by this I.egislature As the law at present
stands the State Treasurer must go in
upon and sell a necessary number Of
shares of a bank. There Is not now any
legal method OF obtaining a correct het
Of shareholders and their holdings. My
predecessor and the attorney-general.
whom 7 consulted advised me 70 serve
notice. not only upon all national banks
hut the trust companies, but only one
hank has responded. have referred the
matter to the states attorney who has
not vet given me his opinion
MIR. Rose-"Did you collect all the othei
state taxes IN that fashion"
Treasurer Rawilns did not reply
Mr.. Rose-'why did you not hrint
suity'
Mr. Rawlins-"Because I desired legisia
tive authority and a contingent fund
such a suit against all the banks Of the
state would cost somebody money"
Mr. Conner-"Wen Mr.. President, 1
am lust learning this situation. but as
see It Mr.. Rawiins Is treasurer OF thh
state and ne has been instructed to col
iect this money. We do not look 10 the
attorney general"
President Parker. upon being asked to
decide. stated that IL was up to the state
Treasurer to show the cause why TN
money was not collected. MIR. Moore intro
duced an additional resolution that IN
secretary of the Senate summon me stats
Treasurer and his attorney 10 appear be.
fore the Senate on Monday afternoon at
l.30 o'clock TO show why this money
should not be collected from him by IN
state. The motion prevailed, "A 20 l.
Engagement Announced.
Announcement has been made OF trl
.o.,...,t o. Nffoa NTorts T,4,a.s.,,. ...s