The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1874-03-24
in. fund. The Beard staia there all the


dark. at the first part Of which Mr.. Coleman
was present. hut afterwards asked permis-
sion To be excused, and did not return.
On saturday the Board made it deficiency
Of five thousand nine hundred and odd dol
lars. On Monday afternoon resumed the
examination. Found then that $4,000 in
bonds Nurporting TO have been turned over
10 the sinking fund by the Board OF Public
Works could not find any such stock; it
appeared, however, from the books, that the
beard of rubijc Works, before the organiza-
ton Of the sinking fund, that the 900 was
made mp OF ten registered bonds. These
bonds. according to the records. were taken
hv the secretary Of the sinking fluid to the
transfer clerk. Mr. Morrison, aud converted
into registered bond for $4,000.
Counsel for defence objected TO this state
mont. as il was not made of his own knowl-
c&sc. Counsel wanted the records in rela.
lion to the bonds. The records were sent
for.
The total deficiency, continued the wit
ness. according to Z recent investigation, is
fifteen thousand nine hundred and some odd
dollars.
The printed reports will explain the mat
ter.
Mr.. Royan: Are we to have the whole
State Library brought over here TO be III
evidence:
The Court: Not unless you gentlemen de-
sire ii.
MIR. Royal: Well, sir, we certainly Go
no..
The record Of the Board Of Public Works
having been brought into court that por'
ton relative 10 the lost bonds referred 10 was
read. The attention CT tho Board was called
10 it by docking at the two printed annual
rrpor;S. Here the discrepancy Of $40, coo was
found.
Mr.. Wise: Have you got that bond?
General Rogers The registered Gonq Is
No. H.; il is III the office. Tie order for the
transfer was 5Dth December, 1871. Alter it
came into the possession Of the sinking tilnd
it seems to have been changed into ten con.
soils. \ cousoi is 4 coupon bond receivable
| tor taxes. 1t has coupons attached. DON'T
know the numbers of those bonds, but the
books will show.
Mr.. Wise: Do you know whether those
ten bonds are now to the credit Of the sink
Ing fuud!
| General Rogers: The clerks can tell you;
! but the bonds are not in the Treasury TO the
credit of the sinking fund.
General Wise Has the sinking fund ever
given IN order for the sale of those bonds!
General Rogers: Never, sir, to my
! knowledge. Tie ten bonds stand upon
| the books Of the Treasury in another
| name l cannot accurately say. When
these consoiS are brought up to be con-
ycrted it is then aScertained where they
| came from. There was some S60,0Go OF
| these bundS--No. 112 was one OF them
| One of the brokers OR. CampbelD bought
up $4,000 of them il the name OF General
Bradley 4. johnson to be converted into
,Ssl thp 10
| of Bradley L. johnson, as an investment.
The examination also shows Il large de-
| linouency of cenSolS.
Witness spoke also Of the transfer of some
| OF The bonds into "peelers," and the consols
being of greater value than the peelcrS.
nlr. Wise inquired whether the difference
in the value of the peelers and consols had
been placed to the credit Of the sinking
| fund:
lie replied in the negative, and said that
he never knew OF an order being given by
the Board for the transfer.
| Witness further said that Mr.. Coleman
| had stated that lie never kept q record OF the
meetings, the habit being, as all the Board
were together in the Capitol, TO confer TO-
gethcr as to any Investments.
Tue witness was next croSS-eXamlned by
counsel for defence. Among other ques-
lions asked WAS whether any one III the OIL
flee had access TO the book in which the re-
cord was kept: to which General Rogers
replied in theailirmatye; that any one could
90 into the Office who was connected with
il: that the books Were not locked up III The
safe; but thut the book alluded 10 here was
regarded as one CT the most valuable records
in the otlice.
Mr. Royal: Did every member Of the
| a. ian hot -1,Fn
had with any member of the Board by any
!. OF the brokers OF persons buying!
General Rogers: l suppose so.
The printed report of the Sinking Fund
Commissioners, as published in the annual
report, was offered in evidence, but object
cd to.
Mr.. Wise inquired whether the Original
cory could be gotten, and sent out for it.
Sir, Wise General Rogers, did you &C
into the Auditors office on the Friday night
referred to:
!, General Rogers: No, sir.
, Mr.. Wise: Who did:
General Rogers l don't know. Mr.
Beech is the policeman who usually stays
there, and suppose he was there that night
and may be able 10 say.
Nr. Wise: propose to show that some
BODY did 70 into the Office that night, but
not now.
Colonel Joseph Mayo was recalled, anC
, questioned again as to the record OF The pro-
cecdings OF the Board prior to his connection
, with it and in relation to the appointment Of
Mr.. Coleman as secretary.
, Colonel Mayo also detailed the transac'
tions of the meeting of the Board on Ihlis
day. at which General kemper bad said that
t there were some very serious charges maze
acains! the affairs OF the sinking fund. Gen
er;A kenper told Colonel Coleman that he
f had heard that certain State papers had Deen
improperly used, and that ruinor SAID by him'
, IasfSnel Coleman seemed very much sur
81 Urised, acknowledged that he had been neg
,Hscnt of. his duties and been guilty OF some
little indiscretion, but denied that there nat'
| been anything criminal. General hempef
. then proposed to so into IN investigation,
Id and Colonel Coleman was directed 10
procure all the books and papers con-
nScted with the sinking fund. He first
, brought the bonds and then went
back and brought the book c'this par.
ticuar book'). That night the book and
tine memoran nda and the bonds were put in
the safe in his office. Friday the book was
LEFT in desk In his office, but both doors
were locked-nobody can so into the ONCE
unless the lock is picked. Saturday the book
was taken out and an exact copy made OF 1t.
Didn't 90 into the Treasury that night. and
didn't know of any one else going in there.
The public officers can 60 III snd our, ana
migit-eXeept so far as bis Office Is con-
x.a1f on in