The Comptroller Was Right: Seattle's Ex-Treasurer Pays Back $4,017
Willis R. Ames spent two years insisting the city's books were wrong. This week his bondsmen wrote the cheque — and the paper trail runs through a second treasurer who later absconded.
The shortage of Willis R. Ames, the ex-city treasurer, which amounts to over $4,000, was made good to the city yesterday by his bondsmen and by his deeding to the city certain property.
When Mr. Ames went out of office there was a dispute between himself and City Comptroller Ferris, the latter claiming that Ames owed the city $1,300 which his books did not show. Mr. Ames then gave a check to the new treasurer, Adolph Krug, for this amount, claiming, however, that the comptroller was wrong and that further investigation would reveal the fact that he did not owe the additional sum. The matter was not then investigated, however, and Krug held the check during his entire term, and it was found among his assets after his defalcation was discovered. In the settlement with Krug this check was accepted by the finance committee as so much cash.
A year ago it was discovered, upon careful examination of the books, that there was a further shortage of $4,017.22 in the accounts of Ames. A demand was made on the ex-city treasurer and his bondsmen for this amount. Ames disputed the claim, and the city comptroller caused suit to be brought. The bondsmen made no defense, and several months ago proposed a settlement, which Ames accepted and consented to. Several months were consumed in negotiations, as it was necessary that Ames should get his property in shape to protect his bondsmen, who advanced the money.
The whole matter was finally adjusted yesterday by the bondsmen paying $4,017.22, the amount of the shortage discovered during his administration, and Ames deeding to the city certain property which protects the city on account of the deficiency which was originally covered by the check, but which was never recovered owing to the negligence of Krug.
Mr. Ames was treasurer from the time of the adoption of the city charter until March, 1892.
“In the settlement with Krug this check was accepted by the finance committee as so much cash.”
A comptroller who would not let an arithmetic dispute go, a treasurer who insisted the books were wrong, bondsmen who eventually paid, and a replacement treasurer who quietly lost the covering cheque before defrauding the city himself. Seattle's arguments over audits, bonding and who watches the money are not new; they are the city's oldest recurring genre.
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