Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-02-05
The Tennessee Rouu,v Frauds.

TRIAL OF VICTOR @. POWELL.
In the Criminal Court (Judge Cartter) this
morning, the case of Victor q. Powell, lately a
clerk in the Second Auditors Office indicted for
receiving money for collecting claims against
the government while he was an officer OF the
government, was called-Messrs. Harrington
and A. b. Williams for the government, and
Riddle for the accused.
Mr.. Harrington, after reciting the charge in
the Indictment under an act OF Congress of 1855,
brightly, 1927 said that they were not so anx-
iogs to convict tins young man as to secure n
ruling ON this statute: for the benefit OF the
many clerks employed here.
Mr.. Riddle said that there were not ten men
in the District who were aware of the existence
OF such law prior to this case coming up, an
IL might have been violated by any one. lie
said il was an established fact that there is
scarcely member Of Congress who has not. vio-
lated Ii.
Judge Cartier said he was not sure thaf mem
Der Of Congress were included.
Mr. Harrington said that another sec ion of the
same statute referred to members Of Congress-
Mr.. Riddle said that it was kno'1n that the
doors of TIE departments were OF ened to mem
bers Of Congress ''before whom ali things Weld ),
MIR. Harrington submitted the ] etter of appoint
ment OF Powell to the Second Auditors Once.
dated September Goth, 1865, " nich was admitted
as evidence.
Mr., Charles II. Moulton was the first witness
called, and testified that he had been clerk in
the Second Auditor'SOffi ee assistant chief clerk
3fst last.
Mr.. Harrington.-Do YOU remember whether
wat are known as tie Beatty claims were in
the office?
Mr.. Riddle objected, and Mr.. Moulton was told
10 stand aside.
Mr.. r. b. Preach Second Auditory testified
that he knew of what are called the Beatty
claims, l02 in number. He could not say that
the roll exhibited was in his possession did not
think that he ever this one. Witness idsn
titled the mass of applications, and also a list o
them. Strahmier and Hatfield were the attor-
neys in the case. IL was usual since 1869 to
transmit letters TO claimants on their claims be-
ing allowed, known as "blue letters"
Mr.. Riddle.-I wish you would transmit me
some letters OF that description Oh behalf OF old
claimants.
Mr.. French.-If you will address me a letter
giving me the names OF the claimants perhaps
Cross-examined by Mr. Riddle-Powell had
been in the Office about nine years; he had no.
thing officially to do with the claims in ques-
ton. His character was regarded as goOd-a
C. A. BoWmdn testified that he was connected
Win the claims and came here in March last in
reference thereto; met Powell; came with Hat
field and Moody; net Strohmier and Stokes
Powell demanded thousand dollars, and wit
ness paid him. He (P.) demanded ii for what
he had done. He said he had got 81 900 from
should be agent of the company. Afterwards IL
was found that the amount was larger than at
first supposed they, refused to give him the
agency. 1t was finally agreed to give him per
cent, (half of what is allowed by the govern
ment,) and an additional 2 y per cent, but he did
dot receive the latter amount. The correspon-
OtiCt Wa W Oc through NlIneSS AT jamestown,
Fentress county, Tennessee. The forms of appii-
cations came from Powell, and several letters
which he identified as in POwell's hand.
MIR. harrington read the letters-one dated
June 18th, 1870, addressed "Friend Nike" in
which the writer states that he is afraid of Tin
ker Dave Beatty and Stokes; acknowledges
the receipt of claim, Waters for bOunty.) and
gives explicit directions to filling up forms
advising that the claimants make oath before
Dotaries. Another in which he advises that the
forms be not filed out until the bill is passed
and he would write or telegraph; that when they
are filled they should be sent him at the Me
tropOlitan Hotel, with a postscript stating he
would not send the forms until the law was
passed.
Witness identified claim partly filed IN by
himself and patty by Strohmier, which had been
filed in the Second Auditors office. Powell
telegraphed the passage of the special act TO
Strohmer at Knoxville, from whence il was
mailed to jamestown; thinks it read ''Bill has
passed"
Mr.. Riddle objected, and this evidence was
withdrawn.
Mich. StTOkMisT, sworn.-Witness had letters of
Powell scattered at Cincinnati, Knoxville, and
other places-some here.
Mr. HarringtOn.-Will you produce them?
Witness.-I will if am obliged to; but there are
cases here against me, and do not know that
should be compelled to give evidence affecting
myself.
After some discussion witness was directed to
leave the stand.
After some further testimony the case was
given to the jury, who returned a verdict of
guilty. By many this offense is regarded as a
nominal one.