Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1914-06-04
TREASURER'S BOND
MATTER LIKELY To
PROVE INTERESTING
Mr.. Deavitt Engages Counsel of
Statewide Reputation
Another Bond Cancel
latiOn Ordered.

Montpelier. May 29.-That the man
damus proceedings against state
Treasurer Edward II. Deavitt brought
by Governor Fletcher in the name of
the state to annul the bond of that
officer ana compel him by supreme
courts order to file n new instrument,
on the grounds of insufficiency of the
securely will be no pink tea affair
was evident to-day when the appear
ances of the State treasurer were filed
with Clerk Lewis G. Moody Of
the supreme court. Mr. Deavitt's
counsel will be william A. Lord Of
Montpelier, William Il. G. Stickncy Of
Bethel and Rutland, and John G. Sar-
gent of Ludlow. Mr.. Lord was former
speaker of the House of Representa-
tives and counsel in many important
cases in Washington county court Nr.
Stickney and Mr.. Sargent. both attor-
neys of State wide reputation, were
counsel for the New England Tele-
phone company and subsidiaries dur
ing the telephone inquiry, and, ~ the
way, were pitted against Mr.. Deavitt
in that investigation. Mr.. Deavitt
took the appeal s State treasurer I'm
behalf of the State It is also reported
that the name of John W. Redmond
of Newport may be ddded later to the
list of Mr.. Deavitt's legal advisers.
The counsel for the Governor are
Warner A. Graham OF Bellows Falls
the governors secretary of civil ant
military affairs, and Robert c. Bacor
of Brattleboro. chairman of the Publ,
Service Commission. Mr.. Bacon wa!
len oil
telephone inquiry at which Mr. Bacor
sat as chairman. The name Of Edwin
A. Cook of Lyndon has not vet beer
Ientered. Mr. Cook was also specla
counsel for the State in the telephone
cases.
An added interest in the bond mat
ter was felt in State House circles to-
day by a communication received b,
Horace F Graham, the auditor Of &C
counts. from Governor Fletcher. re
questing him to furnish a new bond
Mr.. Grahams bond is 100000 and t
carried by the American Fidelity com
pany. Before his departure for hi
home In Craftsbury to-day Mr.. Graham
said he had received such a communi
cation from the Governor, but had n
comment to make
1t is beliVed here that the taking o
testimony previous to the submission o
the case to the October term of suprem,
court will involve the question of tn,
solvency Of the American Fidelity com
pany of Montpelier, which is considered
to be the main issue involved.
Judge Charles II. Darling of Burling
ton. president Of the company, to-day
declined to give out statement.
The matter Is one between the Gov
ernor and the State treasurer" was Mr.
Darling's comment. "Al l can say il
that the American Fidelity company /.
solvent. This Is tie opinion of the com
pany's officers and insurance experts
Mr.. Deavitt was pursuing the eveI
tenor of his way at the State House to
day. He is said to he preparing a state
ment of his side of the controversy wit
the Governor. That the Governor di
not call on the Encouragement to pro
coed against Mr.. Deavitt has given ris
to many rumors.
Under the order signed by Justice job,
II. Watson the State treasurer has .
days to file his answer, the Governor 8
days to submit testimony. Mr.. Deavt
80 days afterwards to submit his testi
mony, and the Governor 10 days to re
but This will bring the case close to tn
opening of the October term.