The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-07-02
THE CLINTON CASE.
Third Day.

II Third Day.
There was the same old crowd in the lobby
of the Superior District Court Thursday
morning, and the same old whispering and
nodding of heads on the part of the uncalled
witnesses. The attorneys looked fresh for the
long days work, and apparently eager for the
wrestling match to commence. Mr.. Semmes
moved little nervously in his chair as min
ute after minute passed after 40 o'clock the
hour fixed for the opening, whilst Judge Cot
ton and Mr.. Fellows devoted themselves to
stub books and warrants.
At the close Wednesday the Judge was ex-
ceedingly anxious to push on the case, but
this morning he didn't appear 50 anxious. At
twenty minutes past 10 his Honor took the
bench. After the minutes of the preceding
day had been read by the clerk and the read
ing of opinions the Clinton case was taken
up. Few witnesses answered to roll call and
absentees were in demand
The examin atom of Mr.. f. Scholtz, Gin
tons Chief Clerk, was resumed: The first
| time saw the vouchers was when they were
presented. The means taken in order to find
out whether the vouchers presented were
valid or not were these: The appropria-
ton bill said money had been appropriated
for that purpose and I had seen similar
vouchers before and I looked and saw they
were approved.
| did not know then that there were forged
| vouchers. knew of an executive order re-
curing claims to be submitted to the Audi.
tor. 1 know some vouchers were approved by
the solicitor of the Auditor. In the case of
these vouchers did net consult him. If
am not mistaken, Mr.. Stoutmeyer his
solici or, had gone to Washington. I I'M
dertook to pass upon those vouchers and
make out warrants without consultation with
any one passed them. I can not recollect
| when the solicitor returned; it was before I
saw the warrant in the hands of the warrant
clerk.
| Examining a voucher don't know this
name, F. Schumacher. 1 passed it, though.
I don't know his signature. This voucher for
$4,000, in favor of J. Pinckney Smith, l did
not examine to see whether it was correct or
not. It was Endorsed by the parties, that was
Simply upon the presentation Of these vouch-
ers 1 made out the warrants.
| In the early part of 1873 the act appropri-
eting $95, 900 passed. 1 assisted in making
out the vouchers, but did not pass any. did
not know then that outstanding vouchers
were considered Cancelled.
| l refused to pass vouchers approved, and
make out warrants on account Of injanctions
The appropriation act was passed, when I
passed the Bsnham vouchers.
Mr.. Weymouth presented two or three
1
them on account of injunctions.
Being shown a voucher for S14, 22O in favor
Of Lowell, dated March H. 1874, said: "This
is in Meunier's handwriting. The books
show what date the warrant is made out.
We can not tell by the Auditors books when
q warrant is delivered. The date given a
warrant is when it is drawn, and it doesn't
matter whether it was not signed for year
afterwards or not. I don't say that this is
ever done, though.
| Devices did not present these Devices vouch-
ers. He did not get the warrants Ipursued
the same course with these that I did with
the other lots. didn't know anything about
the genuineness of the signature It is COM
monty an important thing to examine a sig
nature, but they being presented by gentle
man I knew satisfied me. I didn't know
anything Of this persons responsibility
mean by responsibility that knew him. If
a man was a stranger 1 would ask as to his
identity, but nothing about his RESPONSE
bility.
Devices never called to have me make out
warrant.
| know this man, G. w. Benham, who
think is so responsible. This voucher or
rather receipt is signed by him. l never saw
Wands call for any vouchers called for by this
receipt hold. He never spoke to me about
having vouchers of any kind. This receipt is
in the same handwriting, and is signed Mr..
Wands, per Bsnham.
Upon an examination Of these vouchers,
and finding such a large amount in favor of
not have my suspicious. I don't know
whether I made out these warrants IN 1873.
There was nothing in them to excite my sus-
picions If there was bushel of them it
would not.
1 heard about man by the name of
Randall employed in the State-House.
never had occasion to know whether
these sums were due parties. I did not
60 to find out whether so and so was
chairman of the Committee on Contin-
gent Exper ses in former years. 1 heard
SO. I heard that P. Jones York was a
member of the Legislature. don't know in
which house. I knew Carter; saw his sigma
ture often. I knew Brewster, but am not
familiar with his signature. Wands called
from the 18th of March to the 9th of August,
1874, but not for any vouchers.
I consulted nobody concerning these mat
ters of dispute under this law relative to
doubtful vouchers. I don't know that the
Attorney General was in the State. know
acting Attorney General Dibbie was here, for
I have seen his letters written there from
March II to August Is. don't know where
the Attorney General was. Col Field was
acting believe. never had occasion to call
upon him about the validity of these war
rants. 1 can tell why the delivery Of the
warrants was delayed from March II to Au-
gust 15 1t was, l was told, on account of
the injunction.
When some persons called to get vouchers
similar to those issued to Benham, they were
refused, owing to the Injunction.
The vouchers issued here to Benham, 1884,
500, are all Pinckney Smiths. If bushel
like these had been brought to me would
have issued warrants, for did not know any
better.
know q man named Dewitt G. Brown. I
know he was chairman of something
Being shown bunch of vouchers amount
ing to $40, 1876: These are all Pinckney Smith
vouchers. The receipt for them is signed by
Benham.
don't recollect seeing Dewitt G. Brown in
the Auditors Office. L never saw that letteT
of cashier of bank attached to those vouch-
ers. have not bad memory, but I can't
recall dates.
A transaction where / am called upon to
issue warrant for S13S 900 to one man is not
q circum stance to make me remember it.