Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1875-03-23
Report Of the Investigating Gommit-
tee as to Brrdett and Bennett.

[From the Charleston Courier. Feb. 25th.l
On yesterday large crowd assembled in
the Hall of Delegates to hear the report of
the Committee of. seven read. The report.
with accompanying documents was handed.
the clerk who read it. It starts off with say
ing that they have, from the testimony before,
them, found John s. Burdett, Treasurer of
the State, guilty of certain crimes and mis-,
demeanors as follows: -s
1st. That he madea fraudulent aud cor
rupt contract with one N. b. Gabell, Presi>
dent of the Merchants Bank of Charleston,
whereby unjust distribution and deposits of
State moneys and Determinations were made
against other repositories forSRhich he was
paid by said Cabell aod did demand and re-
ceived $1,000 for the year 1879.
2hd. That he was cogniEant Of and privy
to corrupt bargain and agreement made by
William T. Burdett, his son. and clerk in his
Office as Treasurer, whereby in The years
1923, after the 4th day of March, the said
W. T. Burdett did sell the information the
Treasurer and himself as clerk thereof pos.
sessed by virtue of his ofiee of the condition
of the State funds and did corrnptly bargain
and sell the power and influence of the
Treasurer's Office SO that the Merchants Bank
of Charleston for 1he consideration of three
per cent. on State deposits for the year 1873
to January l, 1871, of two per cent from that
time to October /, 1874. was permitted to
retain larger amount of State deposit than
it would otherwise have been entitled to. and
we further find that tfre said j. s. Burdett
counived at!said corrupt practices. &c.
We therefore recommend that John s.
Burdett, Treasurer of this State, &C.. be inn
peached of high crimes and misdemeanors,
mal-administraton aud corruption in Office.
We further recommend that committee
of five be appointed to go to the Senate and
at its bar in the name of the House of Dele>
gates and people of West Virginia, impeach
John S. Burdett of high crimes and INSIDE
meanors, and Of NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. and cor
ruption in office, aud acquaint the Senate that
the House of Delegates will, in due time, ex>
hibit particular articles of impeachment
against him and make good the same and
that the committee do demand that they make
order for the appearance of John s. Burdett,
Treasurer of this State, to answer said inn
peachnient.
And we further lind that Edward A. Ben
nett, Auditor of this State. was in the year
1878, paid by N. B. Cabell 50. 900 as bonus
for the influence of said Bennett as Auditor
to make partial and unjust deposit and dis
tribution Of the State funds in favor of the
Merchants Bank of Charleston, and was
thereby guilty of mal>administration and cor
rurtion in Office.
And we further fud that the said Bennett
did make proposition to Isaac N Smith,
President of the First National Bank, where's
by he proposed to use his official Influence to
secure the said bank larger deposit than it
could otherwise have, if the bank would pay
him for it certain commission or per cent, all
of which was NAL conduct and corruption in
office. The committee recommend the same
steps for his impeachment as in the case of
the Treasurer.
And we further find that WilliasA T. Bur-
dett is guilty of the grave offense and misde>
meanors above mentioned, whereby he re-
ceived $1,000 from the Merchants Bank and
also $500 from the bank of Uharlestown for
keeping S25, 900 as average deposit.
The report closes by resolutions which in
struct the Attorney General to examine the
testimony, aud take such legal steps as may
be necessary to recover to the State the money
SO illegally obtained by said W T. Burdett,
and all other persons who may be implicated ];
and that the action of this House in relation
to this report be communicated to the Senate
in order that that body make take such action
in regard to W S. Burdett, member of that
body, as they may deem proper. The cou>
cluding Of the report intimates the shortness
of time that thev had to make the investiga.
ton, and the difficulty of bringing witnesses
before it, aud that they are satisfied there is
deficiency of s3S, ,605.51 in the treasury from
Oct. /, 1868. to Oct. /, 1874. They recon-
mend the same proceedings as above stated be
taken by the Attorney General to recover said
sum.