Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1859-11-02
The state Linnor Anenev

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| Hon. Jacob Sleeper has declined the appoint-
ment OF Liquor Commissioner, rendered to
him by His Excellency. 1t is understood that
his personal friends and relatives are much
gratified with his decision. The hearing be-
fore the Legislative Committee was continued
yesterday, and the interest manifested by the
public was manifested by very large attend
ance. The examination of John Brookhouse
the executive officer of Mr.. Burnham, was re-
sumed, but his testimony elected no further
facts. VIM A. Boardman, book keeper at the
State Agency, was called. The Boston Tran
script reports his testimony as follows:
Am book-keeper at the State Agency. I
have looked for the bills of FELTON, &, Co.. and
have only found three. 1t is the custom of
Mr. Burnham to have bills made to him, which
are generally filed. l have in my ledger six
credits TO FELTON, u Co. The bills to Mr. Burn
ham are kept under Mr.. Brookhouse's and NV
control L have no reason to suspect that any
Of the bills of FELTON, & Co. are removed from
the agency. We are usually very particular
in filing our bills. l am not aware of the law
that provides that the State Agent shall only
charge hye per cent. profit, although make
cut the accounts for liquor sold. Mr.. Burn
ham and Mr. Bro0khouse have access to fine
books and papers of the agency. and no ONT
side persons. 1t is part of my business to file
the bills. Mr. Brookhouse never directed me
to make settlement upon the books without
vouchers. The chairman of the committee
said that the books of John FELTON, & Co.
showed ten charges against the agency. but
me witness could only find three bills with
such examination as he had been enabled 10
make.
Mr.. Page submitted proposition. which
was adopted, that tile State Agent be directed
to produce before the committee all the books
ana papers OF the Agency. Mr. Eldrdge said
That he did not wish, as one of the committee.
to be responsible for the safe custody of the
papers. 1t would be better to confne the re-
quest to the transactions now under considera
ton. Six bills were proved to be misIaid or
lost, and Mr.. Burnliam or Mr. Brookhouse
were responsible for the deficiency
Mr.. Burnham read from the law which re-
CURES the Commissioner.to keep record of
the sales and purchases Of liquor, which shall
De open to the inspection of city and town
ofhcers. That record book was at the service
of the Committee, and the Commissioner do.
cllned to go further, as he stood upon the
law.
lie thought it was unfair to bring his books
and papers before the committee piecemeal.
ana SUBJECT them to an eX-parte Investigation,
lie complained that his clerks were summoned
before the committee, and his business expos.
ed, when he was out of office, and had twenty
1ve thousand dollars due him from town
agents. lie said that he was astonished atthe
failure to find all the FELTON, bills. He could
not accountfo for it,
The committee insisted that all the books
and papers Of the Agency should be brought
before them. The State Agent was ordered to
bring them, under lock and KEY. and keen
them until they were wanted by the commit
tee. The Sergeant-at-Arms would deposit the
papers in fre-proof apartment in the State
House.
Mr.. Durham said that the papers contained
records oftransactons amounting TO 5000 600
$4,000 or 600 of which were still owed
him, but he should not decliue furnishing the
papers, at the request of the committee, as he
desired to conceal nothing.
The cross-examination of John Brookhouse
was resumed. lie testified that he considered
that The exchange of brandy was made on his
own responsibility, and the transaction did not
appear on the books of the agency The bills
OF certain purchases of rum were laying about
the Office, because not made out to Mr. Burn.
nam There are no vouchers TO show how
much brandy was returned to the agency.
The liquor was all sold to town agents in Mas.
sachusetts and other states. II is not the
custom Of the state agent to sell goods out Of