The star. (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1874-1875, 1875-06-29

Court Cuttings.
THE WATER WORKS EMPLOYEES INDICTED.
The Grand Jury reported at 5 O'Clock
Yesterday afternoon, bringing In indict-
ments against Thomas e. Snelbaker, em-
bezzlement of SO, 900; VIM. Merk, embez-
Element of $1,000; j. b. Mccormick, em-
bezzlement Of Sl,700; Paul R5inlein, em-
bezzlement oil $500; Andy Bowman, lar
ceny; Nose Kramer and j. Ii. Redmond,
betting on election.
THE REPORT
says that an investigation of this matter
has developed u condition of things in
the affairs of the Water-works that has
been reckless and negligent in tue ex-
treme, and II it had been suffered to con-
tinue must have resulted in disaster and
loss. We find that the Board OF Trustees
Of late have exercised no control over
the management of affairs, other than
making appointments to Office OF politi-
cal favorites, seemingly as a reward for
political services; that they have passed
in their examination, and have neglect
ed one of their most important duties,
that OF collecting the revenues Of the
Works, the consequences Of which has
been that certain parties have been able
to carry large balances In their possess
sion that should have been placed with
the City Treasurer to the credit Of the
w Water-works; that the Secretary, or his
Assistant, has loaned money belonging to
the Water-works knowing it to be such !;
that the Secretary has neglected TO make
entries at the proper time upon the books
OF the office OF money received for water
rents and'of merchandise sold and the
amount paid to him, and that he has also
caused erasures and back entries to be
made upon the books for purpose.
Among these entries we find one for $955,
passed by the Board 1t is said, but igned
by only one Trustees, as bill Tor re
turned water rent, which, upon examIn-
alton, proves to be for tue payment OF
expenses East of certain parties, ahd
made without order OF the Board OF
Trustees. Ii so, this sum was wrongful
ly appropriated from the Treasury Of the
Water-works.
We have examined into the matter of
the Barger contract for the erection of
the retaining wall OF the Garden of x len
reservoir, and can find nothing wrong in
the same in any particular--neither in
the contract itself nor in the perform
ance of the same on the part of the con-
tractor.
THE INDICTMENTS.
The Indictment against Mr.. Snelbaker
presents that Thomas X. Snelbaker, on
the 25th of February, 1876, with force
and arms, at The county Of Hamilton
aforesaid, being an officer, to.wit, the
Secretary of the Water-works of the city
hafs, clxn
such officer, with the collection, receipt,
Of the pubic money belonging to said
city, certain of said moneys, te-wit,
$6, 900 Of the pubic moneys, belonging to
said city, did unlawluliy, iraudulently,
aud feloniously embezzle and convert to
his own use, which said moneys had
then and there come into the possession
and custody of the said Thos. e. Snelba-
ker, by virtue OF his said Office, and in
the discharge Of his duties thereof.
The indictment against VIM. Merk is
of similar form, and presents that w.
Merk, collector of water rents of the
Water-works, of the city of Cincinnati,
and being charged as such officer with
the collection, receipt, saie-keeping and
transfer OF the public moneys belonging
to the said city, certain Of said moneys,
did embezzle $1,000.
The Indictment against j. B. MoCor-
mick charges him with having embezzled
81, TOO on the 10th of April.
- An Indictment against Paul Reinleiu
charges that, on the 1st of April, 1874, he
being an officer, t0-wiJ: a Trustee in the
Water-works OF the City OF Cincinnati,
and being charged as such officer with
the collection, transfer, and disburse-
ment Of the public money belonging to
the said city, unlawfully, frauduIentIy.
and felonlously embezzled and converted
to his own use $500 of said money, which
came into his possession and custody by
virtue Of his said Office.
An indictment was returned against
d. A. Bowman for grand larceny.
Joseph II. Redmond and Moses 8
Kramer were indicted for betting ON the
election Of Mayor Johnston.
OTHER INDICTMENTS.
Ferdinand Thompson was indicted for
embezzling $4,000, the money of the
Young Mems Gymnastic Association.
Frank Wilder, shooting with intent to
kill.
Chris. Weber, Jacob Brand, Jacob
Loud and John Billenstein, grand lar
ceny.
q. Van Tress, assault with intent to
Soumav " iop0S cs 4 dTcuiiQ, aBSaull
with intent, &c.
William Barrow, nuisance; Jos. Nor
gan, larceny; Peter Yeike, ASSAULT and
battery.
OTHER CULLINGs.
The evidence in the Bates contested
will case TO sustain the will proceeded
yesterday. Miles Greenwood testified
that he was acquainted with John Bates
since 1929. His mind was always ra-
tional. He visited Retes one day when
the latter asked him to take Harry Bates
into business. On cress-examination
nothing of general Importance was ellie.
tied.
Captain Eckert testified that he had
known Bates about 80 years. He had,l
never seen any difference in his mind
nor noticed any weakness of 1t.
L. Jefferson Phelps testified that he
was q lawyer. and in 1867 and 1868 be
was in the Office of Jordan & Jordan,
He had sworn Bates to great many af-
tidavits, but never noticed any weakness
Of his mind. He seemed to me to be suf-
fering Of want of hearing and physical
debility generally.
Mrs. Nathaniel Harris testified that
Bates mind was as good shortly before
ris death as in 1852. N
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