The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-09-02
That is always hest which gives
mo to myself.-Emerson.
Mn. HEcHLEns RECORD.

MIR. HECHLERS RECORD.
We learn that Mr.. II. C. Hechler who
Is asking the Democrats of Henrico to
nominate him for county treasurer
claims that the money which he used
when lie formerly held the Office was
properly credit to the Todd estate.
and that he violated no law in using
it for his own purposes TO save dis
count at bank.
This matter was thoroughly thrcshed
out in the investigation, and subse-
quently by Judge Scott in his order Of
removal.
Hechler had reported to the court on
November /, 1906, that he had collected
on account of tax tickets turned over to
him by Todd's administrator S6,05752.
and that the estate was entitled to a
credit for this amount, while the money
which was then in his hands belonged
to the county. The court therefore en-
tered decree ordering Hechler to
place the sum of ssO57.52 to the credit
OF Todd's estate, as credit against
the sum ascertained to be due by Todd
to the county and to the school dis
buted under supervision of the Board
of Supervisors and the school board OF
the county.
This decree said Judge Scott, "sets
forth that the sum of ss,o57.52, collect
cd on account of the Todd tax tickets.
was. on November /. 1906, in the pos
session OF Hechler. He was then short
sss3.is. the balance of the original
shortage, and the court is of opinion
after giving Hechler the benefit OF the
most favorable view that can be taken
that the said ssS3.16, balance of said
original shortage, was clearly county
funds. and the residue of said shortage,
which was made good on October 10th,
viz: sS,2s3.79 came from money COL
lected by ,saIa TREASURER in his official
capacity, in which the county had an
interest. This view is further con-
frmed by the conduct of Hechler, who
when asked by Boudar G. Co., the ex-
aminers of the Office What was your
1SosoH, MI, t1SCiiiei, Ior using tnlS
money in the way you did?' said, Il
did 1T to save the discounts that the
bank would have charged me-"
In the examination held in January,
to which Judge Scott refers, Mr.. Hech-
ler's attorney endeavored to show that
he held the Todd money as an individ-
ual and personal transaction, acting as
agent OF the Todd estate, and not as
treasurer of the county.
Mr.. Thomas Boudar, however testi-
fed that the money for all accounts
was kept in one bank account, or
which all checks were drawn, and thai
no accurate memorandum of tho bal.
xnce in bank from day to day was kept
The record shows that Mr.. Hechlel
used the county money to save dis
count on his personal notes. This i:
admitted, and is stated by Judge Scot
In his order removing Mr.. Hechlel
from Office That was the illegal act
that was the misuse of public funds
that destroyed Mr.. Hechlers fitness t.
serve as county treasurer under ap
pointment by Judge Scott. But Mr.
Hechler says that he was able to pa,
the money back when asked for it
That Is no answer, no defense, and no
even an explanation. The law is tina
treasurer Of city, county or Stat,
must not use public funds for privat,
purposes. This law Mr.. Hechlcr openl,
violated.
Again, In their report and testimony
the Messrs. Boudar showed that Mr.
Hechler had not written up his banl
book from March. 1906, TO January
1907; that his accounts were hopolcssl,
N muddled and his bookkeeping mer
pretcnse.
For Mr. Hcchler's benefit 1t shout
z BIO stated that he allowed the Messrs
Bondar every facility in examining Iii
books, and apparently had no apprecia
ton OF what his failings as an. ac
countant or his malfeasance as an oai
cial had been.
MIR. Hechler had fair trial In tn
treasuFer's ONCE. and he proved to In
voters OF the county beyond any rea
sonable doubt that he was careless an,
incompetent and not the man for TN
4 office.
Wnl tho voters put him back? 4