The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1908-07-18

During the past few weeks there
has been a great deal of newspaper
controversy regarding the conduct of
this office, and l desire to present a
few facts to you, showing the laws as
they exist today and the absence of
laws regarding certain subjects. This
is written in a spirit of fairness and
justice to all, without a particle of
animosity or ill feeling, although pos
sibly l might be justified in express
ing myself, and will try to use calm
language in this statement.
In the first place, permit me to say
that 1t is absolutely impossible to con-
duct the business of the state of Idaho
on basis Of actual cash, as some of
the newspapers contend is the law.
The receipts of this office, in any one
year, are 100000, and out of that
vast sum do not take in to exceed
$4,000 in cold cash. You might ask
the question, Don't l know this is un-
lawful?" 1 will answer and say that
I do not know whether it is or not,
but do know that did try to run it
on the cash. it simply would be an i'm
possibility to do so.
run what is known as a "Collec-
ton Account" in two banks in this
city. one the Bank of Commerce, and
for the security of that deposit l have
a bond signed by some of the wealth.
est men in the state for 100000. In
the Boise City National Bank have
bond for 100000. also signed by
some Of the wealthiest men in the
state. This bond runs to G. A. Hast
ings, State Treasurer, and does not
run to the State of Idaho. The rea-
SON it does not run to the State of
Idaho is because the depository law,
in section 8, says: "The officers or
stockholders of the bank seeking to
qualify as a depositary, shall be in
eligible as sureties on the bond pro-
yided for under this section"
A great deal has been said why the
Board of Control did not approve of
my bond. Quoting the law, which says
in one place, "The Governor shall APP
prove of all bonds" and in another
place where it says, 1.-THE Board of
Control shall approve of all bonds.
They could not approve this bond be-
cause there is no law authorizing a
bond of this kind to the State of Ida
no. But the bonds running from those
banks as principals and signed by
these wealthy men, even though they
were stockholders of the bank, such q
bond running to the Treasurer would
be a protection to him and the State
would have to look to the State Treas
urer.
The same law is applicable to al
county Offices, yet I am reliably in
formed that numerous counties have q
personal bond signed by the stock.
holders Of the banks with which they
do business, and such bond runs to
the State of Idaho. although it is alb.
solutely illegal.
Now, regarding the interest which Ii
due the first of January and the frs
Of July on the State of Idaho bonds
which are all payable with the one
exception Of the Hanover Nationa
Bank of New York City. When these
various bills, authorized the creating
of this Indebtedness and the issuing
of the bonds, they provided for the
payment in New York City, but did mo-
specify in any case how the Treasurer
shall get that money there. That is
there is no law for me to deposit mon
ey in New York City bank, and, IL
fact, the depository law specificall,
states doing business In this state.
Should / ship the currency to them
all would have to show for 1t woul,
be a paper to that effect. But evel
then, I would be having the deposit Il
tnO ANOW &OAh VuAh. 6uPPVnS t0ti
the cash and bought a draft and thel
sent the draft to New York, still
would start the deposit In the Ney
York bank. AS l have said before,
will give 800 to any man who will
tell me how to pay the interest In q lie
gal manner, or show me the Law
whereby can pay 1t. do not thin
that any jury would find me guilty Q
crime II did take the money an
pay it-but still there is no law for Il
On the one hand. is the faith and tn
credit and the integrity Of our state
on theother hand IL the technical vic
lation of the law--or rather the al
sence Of law. What do you want you
treasurer to do? To be a man to
that which Ia right and just as be
tween man and man, or do you war
him to insist upon the strictest tect
utcaf y.,tv,tas ~ tho Iayp and la& fh