The Placer herald., 1865-12-02

Contributions ''to Correspond with the
Patronage rcceived.o
The Cincinnati Gazette publishes the full
testimony in the case of Col. J. G. Crane. an
Inspector Of the Quartermaster's Department,
who was tried by court martial in July last
upon numerous charges of dishonesty in Of
fee.
Conduct unbecoming an officer and a gen,
tleman.
Specification.-"In this: That Col. John
q. Crane, inspector, as, having been duly
assigned, DC, did write, cause to be written,
issue and send, and cause to be issued and
sent, to VIM. Semple, A. B. Semple, and
others, whose names are unknown, the said
WIN. Semple and Others being engaged in
furnishing supplies for the use of said mill.
tary railroads, a circular and letter, portion
of which circular and letter is in the letters
and figures and of the tenor folowing:-
"Io secure the election in every State
beyond the possibility of doubt not only
does it require the patriotic efforts of every
man, but it also requires money for cam.
palgnlng purposes. 1t is expected that you
have received the liberal patronage of the
government will willingly lend your means
to the attainment of the object named
81 am authorized to say, gentlemen, to
those who respond cheerfuIIy to this case,
that the patronage heretofore extended to
them, shall, without doubt, be continued
In the transmitting of your subscription it is
expected that the amount will correspond
with the patronage you have received" ,"
This charge was sustained upon the trial
by direct evidence of parties who bad con.
tributed to the Lincoln fund raised BY COL
Crane.
One witness, Archibald P. Cochrane, tes,i
fed that Col. Crane purchased supplies from
their firm on or about the first of November
1864, and at other times before, which were
furnished afterwards; that Col. Crane soci-
ted money from the firm to pay election ex,
penses. Witness produced circular from
Col. Crane, asking for contributions, the gen,
uneness of which the accused admitted
Cochrane further testified that the firm gave
81 900 in response to this solicitation
Question by Judge Advocate-Please state
the circumstances Of payment.
Answer-I had come to the military rail.
road department from home, for the purpose
OF settling our accounts, and | stepped into
Colonel Cranes office: he told me be was
just on the eve of sending circular to US;
he then picked up the circular, signed, ad.
dressed, and handed it to me for perusal at
the time he handed it to me be said be had
the sanction Of the Secretary of War to coli
lect this fund. told him would consider
upon the matter; the next day met him at
his office, and responded to that amount.
responded under the full conviction that it
was proper object, and did it cheerfuIy;
Colonel Crane had no hesitancy in handing
me the circular, it was done publicly; there
were several parties in the room at the time.
Witness further testified that he had at the
time, vouchers in his possession to the
amount of thirty four thousand dollars, for
which be expected to get the money; and
that he received payment in full for all the
vouchers in check for certificates of indebt.
edness, less the amount the firm contributed I
On bis cross-examination Mr.. Cochrany
said:
With regard to the one thousand dollars
obtained for election purposes, witness did
not know what was done with it; saw Crane
put it into an envelope and heard him say it
was for Mr.. Lincoln.
J. M. Nash, Superintendent of military
railroads, being duly sworn, testified that be
"contributed one hundred dollars to the
election fund"
After the trial had proceeded far enough
to Indicate the conviction of Col Crane, and
to endanger the divu geuce of some War
Department secrets, it was postponed by or
der of the Secretary Of War!