The sun., 1870-01-20
TILE LAST NATIONAL BANK FRlUD
Veitman, the Bank Clerk. the Principal
Leith aud Copeland only Abettors-Post-
ponemept-Passage at Arms,

ponemept-Passage at Arms,
The examination Of w. I. Veltman, the bank
clerk accused OF conspiring TO defrand the Fourth
National Bank by making false entries on the books,
and of William Leth and Robt Copeland aeces-
sories thereto. was begun before United States Com
missioner Shields. yesterday. Assistant District At
torney Jackson appeared for the prosecution Joseph
Bell, Eco, for Veltman, Judge Morris for Copeland
and Ethan Allen, Lsq., for Leith. Mr. Allen said
that As the charges against Veltmsn aud his client
embraced violations OF two distnct statutes the
Of being principal to q conspiracy to deiraud, the
other ne abettor only, he would make q motion for
separate and distinct examination. This was opposed
by the District Attorney and the counsel for Welt
on the ground that the evidence educed In the
one case would naturally bear upon the other. A
sharp dispute ensued between Messrs. Bell and
Allen, Mr.. Allen accusing Mr.. Bell. ip conjunction
with the Attorney for the prosecution, OF attempting
Ito fasten Veltman, the real criminal, upon his
clients skirts" by endesvorng to obtain common
After considerable alteration, the motion was
granted for separate IN estigaons Veltmans being
and Lcith's for Tuesday the 25t At the same hour.
Tie prisoners were remanded to Ludlow street
jail, where they have been confined since their
Tie wife Of veltman, and her mother were In
the court room and had seats near the accused. ap-
parently taking deep interest In tho proceedings.
Ire prisoners Veltman, Copeland, and Leith sat
close 10 their respective counsel, and appeared
with the exception Of Copeland, who b ID evidently
heen weeping aud seemed much depressed-eollec,ed
aud composed.
w. 4. Veltman Is co nsdercd by the ofnoers OF the
bank object Of pity, rather than
lie has been since his incarceration much detected
apparently realizing TO the fullest the gravity OF the
crime OF which he stancs accused. Veman FRANKLY
ackno lodged his completely, and without reserya
On related the whole story nom the begin ming 70
the end, Vetmnn asserts tlat, though the principal
IN the act, It suggested TO him by others, and
that IL was through their aTtul influences that he
was inveigled into the fraud.
William Lcith the eldest Of the accused Is past tho
meridian Of lie, auet, respectable loofing man,
whom no one would suspect Of theft lie Is tall,
with gray lair and gray eyes, AMI heavy, dark, IRON
gray mustaches. He has a wife and children, aud
has lived very comfortably on Long Island many
years. AS broker In raw India rubber al i32 Pearl
street, he has been successful and unti his connec
ton with Vsltman aud Copeland, and Their fraudu
lent sehsmes had, TO all appearances, led Az honest,
upright HE.
Robert Copeland, who 10 accused by his accom-
plices Of being the originator and perfeeer OF the
scheme 20 defraud the bank and through whose art
iuI Vaccinations IT is sad Vsltman aud Ieith were
prompted TO the commiltal OF the disbon st deed,
would readily pass Tor thlrty.fye, but has not
yet reached thirty. Iio has long been successful
cotton broker on Pearl street, and has aways been
regarded as q shTew sharp man OF business.