The Marion daily mirror. (Marion, Ohio) 1892-1912, 1910-09-24

VIC eohhihittNc CdilJ III lJuo. 4 he rte
publican member, who has ever since
been the leader OF the majority OF
the senate, dissented from 1.-THE com.
mittee's report, after doing all he
could to obstruct it's work., Its find.
ings were denounced by him and by
every state officer from governor
down as unfounded and falsely parti-
san, and their party press did the
same, with some exceptions, of which
the Marion Star was not one.
The new treasurer promptly abol-
ished the system of favoritism by
which the public funds were deposit.
ed in banks in which former treas
urers and other officials had secured
stock, and in banks controlled by
their political confederates, at rates
fixed by themselves, which they knew
to be much lower than were being
paid by the same banks on other de-
posts. The funds were all with.
drawn and redeposited on fair com
petition open to all banks in the state
alike. Much higher rates were thus
obtained. which are still In force.
Ever since the law requiring the
deposit of state funds the treasury
books showed an enormous amount
of cash kept in the vaults, averaging
nearly 100000 although $500, 900
more was constantly on deposit In
Columbus banks subject to check
The present treasurer at once re.
duced the cash in the vault TO $50.
900, which is ample for daily needs,
making all above that sum earn in
terest for The state by prompt de.
posts.
Their promise to the voters thus
kept, the governor and treasurer, as
soon as their regular duties permit
ted, proceeded to find out the exact
and entire truth about graft In the
use of state funds. The senate com.
mittee had reported some Of the
facts. and the rise 10 wealth and high
bank positions of officials dealing
with public money, who had come to
Columbus poor, had been too frequent
not TO arouse suspicion.
Not an Easy Task.
The task was long and hard. II had
been confessed to the committee that
the treasury books contained no full
and accurate account of lawful de-
posits. Some of such books as were
kept were missing when the Office
changed hands. No account was kept,
of course, of state money privately
used or deposited II was found that
the files had been gone through and
Systematically robbed OF correspond.
ence relating to such deposits. but
careful search revealed an oversight
here and there sufficient to direct
inquiry.
Finally the failure of the Euclid |
Avenue Bank and Trust Company |
which held both lawful and unlawful
deposits at the same time, gave ac-
cess to its books and papers. These
also had been dcsppiled, but enough |
had been missed to show plainly the |
systematic loaning of public money |
or personal profit. Photographs of |
'ntries, checks. etc, showing this are |
n my hands.
Some banks refused all inrorma.
ion, though they were known to |
have been partners in the scheme.
AS they were national, there were no
means of getting at the truth with
)ut legal process. OF one OF these, |
The Commercial Bank OF Columbus. |
he treasurer of the Republican state
committee, Mr.. w. +. Huffman, was
nd Is the president. In others still
here were sudden disappearance Of
looks and papers when, being state
'anlis, they were obliged to give ac-
ess to their files and records relat-
ng to state funds. But at last evi-
lence was secured showing that by
he state had for years lost large
mounts Of interest which went to
Iualify its officials for entry IN iinan-
.lal circles.
One OF the methods employed was
his:
Various officers other than the
reasurer collected taxes from corpo-
'ations amounting to millions every |
ear These were paid by checks, |
which were usually. II mot always |
deposited in favored banks In which
'arious state officials had stock and
months were allowed for collection
If these checks, though they were
promptly presented and paid. During |
his period the state LOST and others
enjoyed the use Of large amounts of |
Is money.
The astonishing discovery was then
made that the official bonds covering |
10th terms OF one of the treasurers
involved had been removed from the
lies of the secretary of state and
'ould not be found, but icoplcs were
ortunately obtained.
Suits Started In Court.
The evidence of these WRONGS was
aid before the attorney general, with
request to bring suits to recover
or the State the profits thus made at
Is expense, which lie has done. In |
pite OF all efforts to delay and con
eal We are confident that large
mounts will be restored TO the treas
Try. One former official has already
'aid over large sum to avoid
threatened suit.
A complete record and system OF