Territory of Arizona ex rel. Goodrich v. Bashford, Civil No. 188

Civil No. 188 | Ariz. | Jan 24, 1887

BARNES, J.

This is a petition for a writ of mandamus requiring the treasurer of Yavapai to turn over to the treasurer of the territory moneys alleged to be in his hands belonging to the territory. It appears that the present treasurer went into office the first of January, 1887, and that he received, as funds in the hands of his predecessor, the sum of $57,230.88, which he now holds. It also appears that the amount of money which should have been turned over to him is $65,108.76, of which the amount due the territory would have been $16,108.07, and the amount due the county of Yavapai would have been $49,604.69, so that there is a balance still due from the late treasurer to the defendant of the sum of $8,481.88. It was urged that the court should be paid the full amount of $49,604.69 and that the balance of the $57,230.88 be paid to the territorial treasurer. It is also urged that the shortage of $8,481.88 should be apportioned between the territory and county, and it is urged by the attorney general that the territory should be paid in full, and that the county should bear tbe loss. It is true that tbe county treasurer is a county officer, and that Ms bond is aproved by tbe board of supervisors of tbe county. For some purpose, be is tbe agent of the county, but as to funds in his hands he is, in the same sense, an agent of any branch of the government whose funds he may have. He is rather the custodian of funds which he may have officially, and the trustee for the benefit of whatever branch of the government may have funds with him.

A failure by the treasurer to pay over funds to whomsoever has the legal right to receive them will subject him and his sureties to action “by the territory, or any person injured or aggrieved.” Acts 1883, p. 157. His bond is made payable to the territory. The territory and county have each the right to recover on the official bond of a county treasurer for money in his hands due either. In this ease we have a gross sum in the hands of the present treasurer. He can be compelled to account for no more than the funds in his posssession. The gross sum falls short of the amount due the county and territory. The amount so short is due from the late treasurer. It is manifestly unjust that the whole of his shortage should fall upon either. Equity requires that each should Dear its proportion of the loss, and each can enforce its rights against the late treasurer for the balance due. Of taxes collected, it appears that the territory is entitled to sixty-five and one-half cents out of every three dollars. Treating the amount in the hands of the treasurer at this time as money collected, there is due the territory $12,495.40, which is the amount the defendant will be required to pay to the territorial treasurer.

PORTER, J., concurs.