New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-03-06
LOCAL MISCELLANY
THE PACIFIC MAIL SUBSIDY.
THEODORE 7. JOHNsOS's TESTIMONY IN THE IRWIN

THEODORE I. JOHNS0SS TESTIMONY IN THE IRWIN
CASE.
-.e hearing in the case of Richard b. Irwin,
charged by Rufus Haleh with embezzllng $4,000
belonging the Pacific Mail Steamship Company,
resumed Saturday, before Judge Bixby, in A. J.
VanderpOels Office in the Tribune Building. Col Irwin
present with his counsel, ex,Iudge Fullerton and
Iebbeus Chapman. Mr. Hatch appeared with Mr.;
NandepOe rs counsel and Henry s. Bennett represented
the Company.
Horace f, Merrill, clerk of the Company, testified
that checks To the amount OF $3.50 900 accounted
for In the transfers OF the San Francisco agency while 1t
was in charge Of Eldndge aud irwin. The defense
admitted the statement Theodore L. johnson tested
During the year 1872 was Secretary OF the Pacific
Mail steamship Company, and, IN the absence of tho
Treasurer Treasurer pro ten on the 21th OF May ls72
filled out tue six checks for S7OO0O and handed them
to Mr. Bellows; had, previous to TINT the day,
filled out other checks for Ike amounts and delivered
them To Mr. Bellows Irwin was Mt that tIme in tn Di-
rectors room Of the Company the six checks first filled
our were returned TO and by order OF the NcePresi-
dent destroyed them they were drawn payable to A.
b. sockwell requested to draw the second ones
payable to Richard b. Irwin and did Hins
six checks were drawn from the cheek book, and the
only entry made tlat day on the Subs was " A. IS
s. President !" WITHIN 80 days by direction Of Mr. Bel
lows, there entered the stubs OF ye checks the
words Charge Eldridge Irwin, Agents." and on the
stub Of the sixth check, which drawn for S6JOOOO,
"LOan to Hariott NOyes know OF this loan only by
the entry do not know OF Mr.. stockwers signing the
Company's cnecks during his Presidency; when ! male
out me checks it said that they were drawn 70 pay
expenses incurred by A. b. stockwcll Washington,
but l don't know that any officer informed me the
amants OF In six checks entered In the casubook
from the checkbook without hames, under the same
date don't rccOcct check tor 100000 charged 10
Eldridge and Irwin In the early part OF 1s72.
Under crossexamination the witness testified that he
had drawn the six checks by drec ion of Mr. Bellows,
who said he acted by authority OF President sockwel
The witness had no intimaon from any about the
use the checks to be put he made the first entry
on the stubs OF the chcckbook in pencil under direction
OF Vice President Bellows, because he wanted Ia
know how the eutry wos 20 b. finally made (;
that it generally understood that Irwin W. mt TO
Washington to procure subsidy under direction 81 Pfe-l-
dent StOcswcl, who assumed control Ut the matter
without making any report 10 the Board OF directors,
except repOu Dec. ~ ISL To the Ell ct that there
prospect Of resolution was adopted by
the Executive Committee on Fen. il, 1s72 10 employ
counsel AID incur necessary expenses Tor the subsidy
Tue examination was thcn cont nued - follows; -,
q Was there any report made by him Official OF unol
Mr. ntockwc President ~ this Company, but rs
A. H. stocRwe in the course Of rsaiion at meet
SsiSH 900 in the cudcayor obtain the subsidy. Tne
Board took action whatever upon the statement, 90
q. Did StOckWel In speaking Ot spending S9~H,OOO,
say that lie spent Mr. SOCSwcl aud not as Prtsi
dent, tuat an Inference OF yoursi A. had heard
nm say tnt no wod spend million of collars II hece5-
slry; my inference.
q. was stocKwel's statement about his expenditure
made While The Board was m session \. No Just after
Adjournment the directors were discussing the Affairs
Of the Company.
4. Not then Dat he mad said 50 some time previously
q. Whc, Stocswcll S1id lac had expended tho money
was any objection do 10y director OF the Company
10 tne expenditure A IHcrc was "A good deal oi ialk
O. Nasn' thcre a heated discussion A. / should say
that there =.
q. VINO got heated upl A. A good many Of the d.
-,
q. What was the heat aboutl \. Because stocRwel
g. II wasn't claimed then, that it was his private
money! \. No, sir.
The check book and magnifyng glass were given to
witness aud he admitted that hr saw on most OF the
stubs the letters &C" and NJ" He said these letters
were entered by him under direction of Mr. Bcow- aud
nc supposed tncy meant CHINA Mail
Judgr Fullerton read letter by Mr.. Fellows, con
ffs fF fine D.
tIr witness any attempt had been made by Mr. Stock
well suppress resolution passed bY the fNechtlFe
COMMITTEE aud Board Uf directors about securing a
subsidy. Tho witness testified that Mr. StnckWrli Al
tempted suppress The resolution al me te whru ne
said he had tApeuded SJ-HOOO. In the IC-iirtci eX-
aiuinntiuu the witness testified that tue expenditures
were 10 be- for house ana Office rent AMI personal ca
pusc- at Washington giving Of occasional entertain
nients supplying the new ,pcts with valuable nfOrma
lion &C. Tue ANIMATION biOpg Il 1ui lhr iuct
that the directors mad frequently talgod about stock
wells restoring the S75O,uOp.
The then ADJOURNED until 2o'clock TINS after