The Treasury Scandal of 1887
A team of expert auditors discovers that King County’s former treasurer, George V. Hill, systematically pilfered thousands of dollars using creative accounting and 'lost' tax records.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
A committee appointed to examine the books and accounts of former King County Treasurer George V. Hill has completed its rigid examination. Hill kept his general accounts and funds in only three books, which he designated as 'B,' 'C,' and 'D.' Our committee found that Hill frequently entered total collections in his general account rather than tracking individual tax payments, and in many instances, he charged the county for warrants that were never paid or were paid in amounts significantly less than claimed. We have identified a series of discrepancies, including uncounted liquor licenses and persistent overcharges for interest on delinquent taxes. To summarize our findings, ex-Treasurer Hill is indebted to King County in the sum of $61,473.39, representing the total of identified vouchers, uncounted tax collections, and fraudulent overcharges against the county fund.
“Having found in no instance where Treasurer Hill, during his official tenure, made more than trivial mistakes in favor of King county, where we hereafter refer to any difference of balance as the result of any investigation, we intend to imply it, indebtedness of ex-Treasurer Hill to King county.”
Public corruption and the misuse of municipal funds have been a recurring point of contention in Seattle since the 1880s. This report mirrors contemporary struggles for transparency in local government, highlighting that the battle for accountable, honest administration of public coffers is a foundational element of Seattle's civic history.
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