Henry Bates (US politician)
Encyclopedia
Henry Bates of Shasta County, California
was a politician affiliated with the American Party
(the "Know Nothings"). He served as California State Treasurer
, 1856-1857. Prior to that, he was a member of the California State Assembly
from the 13th district, 1855-1856. He was impeached by the state Senate
and resigned from office.
The initial accusation against Bates was that he had illegally deposited $88,000 with Palmer, Cook & Co. for the purpose of paying the interest on state bonds in New York City
in July, 1856, without requiring security for this deposit; and that the interest was not paid. A report to that effect was presented in the Senate in January, 1857. Soon afterward the assembly drew up articles of impeachment against him, for the Palmer, Cook & Co. matter, for purchasing state warrants with state funds and pocketing the difference in value; for other dubious transactions; and for a "corrupt combination" with the president of the Pacific Express Company for loaning state money. Bates was convicted, but resigned from office before he could be sentenced. The investigation and removal of Bates from office was the result of an article in the Sacramento Bee, at the time of publication still less than one week old.
Shasta County, California
Shasta County is a county located in the northern portion of the U.S. state of California. The county occupies the northern reaches of the Sacramento Valley, with portions extending into the southern reaches of the Cascade Range. As of the 2010 census, the population was 177,223, up from 163,256...
was a politician affiliated with the American Party
Know Nothing
The Know Nothing was a movement by the nativist American political faction of the 1840s and 1850s. It was empowered by popular fears that the country was being overwhelmed by German and Irish Catholic immigrants, who were often regarded as hostile to Anglo-Saxon Protestant values and controlled by...
(the "Know Nothings"). He served as California State Treasurer
California State Treasurer
The California State Treasurer is responsible for the state's investment and finance. The post has more narrow responsibilities and authority than the California State Controller...
, 1856-1857. Prior to that, he was a member of the California State Assembly
California State Assembly
The California State Assembly is the lower house of the California State Legislature. There are 80 members in the Assembly, representing an approximately equal number of constituents, with each district having a population of at least 420,000...
from the 13th district, 1855-1856. He was impeached by the state Senate
California State Senate
The California State Senate is the upper house of the California State Legislature. There are 40 state senators. The state legislature meets in the California State Capitol in Sacramento. The Lieutenant Governor is the ex officio President of the Senate and may break a tied vote...
and resigned from office.
The initial accusation against Bates was that he had illegally deposited $88,000 with Palmer, Cook & Co. for the purpose of paying the interest on state bonds in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in July, 1856, without requiring security for this deposit; and that the interest was not paid. A report to that effect was presented in the Senate in January, 1857. Soon afterward the assembly drew up articles of impeachment against him, for the Palmer, Cook & Co. matter, for purchasing state warrants with state funds and pocketing the difference in value; for other dubious transactions; and for a "corrupt combination" with the president of the Pacific Express Company for loaning state money. Bates was convicted, but resigned from office before he could be sentenced. The investigation and removal of Bates from office was the result of an article in the Sacramento Bee, at the time of publication still less than one week old.