The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-05-29
THE CALENDER TRIAL.

Lille CA1IAENDER TRIAL.
Charles Calender. indicted for having accepted
an alleged bribe OF $4,000 from the Ocean Ma
tonal Bank, OF this city, to influence his Official
action as bank examiner, in regard to the affairs
and condition OF that establishment was on trial
yesterday, on adjournment in the United States
Circuit Court. before Judge Benedict.
AN Ex-CoMPTRoLLER OF THE CURRENCY ON THE
STAND
Mr.. Hurburt. ex-Comptrol.er of the Currency
was recalled for cross-examinaton. He said the
usual custom OF closing o bank was TO protest
note, II the bank would agree to 1t. question
was put to the witness as to whether there was
not an agreement among the banks to give Mr..
Calender percentage OF their assets, but the
Court ruled it out, holding it was not material to
show what compensation or salary Mr.. Calender
received, whether II was 100000 or otherwise.
he would charge that If Calender took the money
with intent to influence his Official action as bank
examiner he was guilty Of this offence.
To Mr.. Fullcrton-I DO not remember the details
Of the conversation had with Mr.. Calender IN
October, 1871. in Washington, Immediately after
the Chicago IRE, in relation to the AFFAIRS of the
Ocean Bank; think he did give me details;
think Mr.. Calendars responsibilities were in
creased IN consequence OF the Chicago fire. This
question was put for the purpose Of showing that
IN consequence Ol LUlS nTe MI. CalIenCer'S duties
were increased. and that this increase OF duty
would account for his not making report in re-
gard to the ocean Bank.) promised the Chicago
banks the aid OF the banks throughout the coun-
try, and telegraphed to Mr.. Calender to use his
best efforts to procure for the Chicago banks the
aid or the banks In New York "a question as to
whether Mr.. Calender was in the habit OF COM
muncating with the witness by letter and by
verbal statements IN regard TO the condition Of
the banks was ruled out as immareriap.
Mr. Purdy-Q. Can you tell if calendars arrest
increased his responsibilities
Judge Benedict do not see how that is mate
rial
George 8. Heacock deposed that he was clerk
IN the Park National Bank in October, 1871; he
identified two checks, dated october S, 1871. ons
for $4,000 and the other for $500 49, which were
given by Calender to that bank IN payment OF
principal and interest OF balance OF loanymade by
the Park Bank on the security OF Portage Lake
bonds, which were surrendered to Calender when
the checks were paid.
John Howard Hardcastle, runner of the New
York State Loan and Trust Company, was the next
witness; he identified three checks which had
passed through his hands in October, 1871 and Mr.
Fullerton offered TO show that these checks
made on the part Of IF the tie u Por rGaas
Lake Company but the Judge ruled 1t out, saying
that the question was, Why aid he not report bhe
condition of the bank II made no matter what
Calender did with the money-whether he gave it
IN charity to the poor or whether he gave IT to the
rich. or whether he paid his debts With tiff he
took 1t to prevent him from making report that
wOuld render him guilty.
Mr. Fullerton said 1t Was necessary to show what
ne did with the money to get at the fact whether
ne used 1t for a corrupt or legitimate purpose.
Judge Benedict ruled out the offer; but
Mr.. Fullerton, tor the purpose oil having the
matter right upon the record offered to show that
Calender went to institutions that were not
national banks and obtained loans from them on
the security OF the Portage Lake bonds. The New
York State Loan and Trust company, which was
not national banK had made loans to Calender
on those bonds
The ofer was'ruled out.
James Z. Tomnkims and John 7. Hill were the
Ninth National Bank in September, 1871. Callen-
der got loan In that bank; y was given on the
bonds; that loan was partially paid; there is now
due "a, 800 on loan to Mr.. Calender; the otner
an WAS paa 81 Of on e H
tion rs to what the bonds brought at the sale was
TO MIR. funerton-These loans were made to Mr..
Calender in good faith IN the ordinary course OF
business and without the slightest intention OF
influencing his oficial action.
TO Mr.. Purdy -Had not loaned to any others ex-
cept Calender ON Portage Lake bonds.
John NJ crane cashier OF the shoe and Leather
that bank Calender In July, 1871, on the secu-
rity Of the notes OF Alfred Wild aud the Portage
neved Wild TO be perfectly responsible.
To Mr.. Purdy-At the time OF the loan made In.
Quiries OF Mr.. Martin, OF the Ocean Bank, regard
ing the Portage Lake bonds and their vaue, and
he told me ne thought they were worth fifty cents
on the dollar; the loan was made TO Calender In
the regular course OF business, the only eXcep-
ttonal thing About It being that the bank had
never before been applied to for loan on that
class OF security.
Columbus 5. Stevenson, cx-Pres!dent OF the
ocean Bank, was recalled aud Mi. Fullerton,
shOwing him certain checks OF CallenderS, asked
MN 70 state particularly the circumstances under
when tue checks were certified Dy the ocean
Natlonal Bank. THIS being explained the witness
etateo that, IN his Judgment, the condtion OF the
2 year before. The deposits had increased, and
tniA enabled the bank to do better business.
On cross-examlnaton, Mr.. stevenson said there
weIe some errors In the books, PROFITS being
etAteo IN some instances where they were merely
imaginary. In reply to a question whether he had
ever loaned money to Comptroller OF the Currency
nurlourt ne SAID tnat, personally, he never did SO.
upon the question, did the Ocean Bank ever loan
MIN anyY' there was long objection by Mr.. Full
:erton and reply by Mr.. Purdy, and finally the
son said that when Mr.. aurlourt was Compsroiler
OF the Currency the Ocean Bank loaned him
$4,000 on the security o. bonds OF the MARYLAND
Mining Company. THIS sum, however was maid
back IN the course Of few days. rhe ledger OF
the bank had no entry TO indicate that the in
terest on this $4,000 had been paid, The opin,on
OF Mr. Stevenson was that 1t must have been maid
ms IL was he regular custom or The bank never tn
loan money without requiring interest.
b. II. Beekman, director OF the Shoe and
Fourth National Bank, deposed that in the wear
1871 those banks had made loans 20 Calender on
the secnrity Of Alfred Wild's notes and the bonds
OF the Postage Lake Ship Canal Company.
Alter the examination 0! Alfred Wild who testi-
aed as TO his name appearing on the notes which
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