New Britain herald., 1926-01-09
The Governors Letter

Following the board Of control raeeting, the governor gave out. with Mr. Conln's consent, the latter's let. Ter 10 him. and the reply he was sending tho receiver, The following is the text of the gover~sr's letter 10 Mr, Coffin:
 "pror Sir:
 T have received and read with much attention your esteemed favor Of December 29. As this is the first responsible statement giving any de- tails made to me with regard 10 the administration of the state treasury under G. Harold GilpatriC, have taken the same as Q basis for fu- ture procedure which shall out line to you in this communication.
 'As you are Of course aware, un- der the direction Of my predecessor in office, shortly after the distressing discovery of Mir Gilpatrics financial lnVolVements. q careful and thor ough audit of the treasury depart ment was made by a firm of com potent accountants with the result that the states investments and as- sets were found to be intact, At least two other and independent in- vestigations that resulted i'll the same report were made, all of these reports verifying the reports of tho | state auditors.
 "One of the chief responsibilities ot the executive officers of the state IS to conserve the property belong ing 10 the state, and prominent in the list of thie property arc the as- sets of the treasury in which the states money is invested. There securities were received and re- ceipted for by the present state treasurer as the property of the state and according to the constitu- tion can only be disbursed by him as he may be directed by law. After receiving this property under so strong a color of title 1t must be apparent that the executive officer of the state cannot recognize any at- tempt to part with any part of this property except as directed by law.
 Tn this connection it may not be inappropriate for me to suggest that in any intimation Of moral responsi. bility on the part of the state to the bank must be considered the fact that the defaulting cashier of the bank was it's apparently trusted agent long before he assumed public office, and that one of his claims to election to the office of public trust was the excellent reputation giver him by the directors of the First National bank of Putnam.
 However, independent of all ot these collateral facts, I do not be- lieve any citizen of Connection, wishes the state to retain any pro- perty to which 1t is not under the circumstances entitled. and as your letter suggests some facts which ap- parently cast doubt on a situation created by one who was acting ir the dual capacity of cashier of the bank, which you now represent, ano treasurer of the state. which l rep. resent. am convinced that addition. al steps should be taken in order that the facts may be fully knowr , and proper and intelligent proceed , ure adopted.
 AS above stated, 1t is of course impossible that any state official un til directed by law can do other. wise than retain possession of wha is apparently the states property.
 'I am advised that the Genera Assembly can go no further thar by proper action to waive the i'm munity of the state from suit. thu; permitting any claimant in the pres ent transaction to bring his sui against the state or its treasurer seeking recovery of any bonds ol other property claimed to be unlaw fully in its possession.
 Before consenting to any sucf procedure. the general assembl! should be fully advised as to th' real facts in the case. To that end proposed to take the responsibilit, of securing the most thorough ant careful report possible as a basil for any future action the state ma. wish to take if the occasion requires Therefore 1t is my intention to I'm mediately ask three prominent citi zens of the state, in which We al have confidence, to act as a commit