New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1877-06-02

ExoSenator HerWig testified Wedues.
day that he made no promises to Auditor
Clinton that he never owned 8 claim
that came from the Board Of Audit, but
had S400eor $1,000, for employees of tie
Senate the appropriation was enioined
he never knew of the George Anderson
claim. Of SI72,O0O till presented to the
Board Of Audit; approved it under pro-
test as chairman; il had passed throagh q
Subcommittee; Souer and Twitchell were
members TwitchelI has the custody of
the Board Of Audit books; never took
any State papers from the State House.
Mr.. James Lewis made an explanation
that he had received the Plaquemines
Sentinel warrants merely as favor for the
owner, r. J. Moran.
kr. Max Stern, Auditors clerk from
March 2, 1873, testified that no books were
taken away to his knowledge: they were
packed up in the Office; does not know
that fraudulent warrants were issued in
1878 against fraudulet vouchers; never
saw any blank consols in the vault; duties
ceased january l, 1877; never made orders
for settlements of tax collectors; don't
know that Scholtz took any papers away,
the report for 1875 has been prepared
the books were checked daily; do not
know that warrants were irregularly is
sued Witness gave details of warrants
under section two of appropriation, act
No. IL of 1875, all issued on rules of the
Superior District Court; would know if
warrants were issued without an appro-
pristion; Assistant Attorney General Dab
bic was generally consulted; think the
Willis claim was on raised injunction
never knew Auditor johnson to collect
money from tax collectors; know of one
compromise with George A. King, of Red
River have seen bills for small amounts
consolidated in one warrant in favor of a
CLERK in the Office.
Mr.. w. A. Brainard had examined the
books and found missing the tax ledgers
for 1875 md 1876, appropriation book for
1895, outstanding warrant ledgers for
1876 and consolidated bond books Nos.
and 2; he knew of no instances where
claims had been made out in the name of
q clerk; Mr.. Wills had admitted his claim
was fraudulent; knew nothing of the or
der Of the Superior District Court; did
not understand that Mr.. Herwig wished
to compel the Auditor to issue illegal
warrants; Mr.. Folger's accounts were not
settled up to October /, 1876. Mr.. Carey
settled with the Auditor; don't know if
he had with the Treasurer.
Hon. H. O. Dibble testified on Wednes-
day that he did not think Auditor John
son had issued warrants against any en-
Joined appropriation; the decision of the
Supreme Court was held to cover the
whole second section of the appropriation
bill of 1875; he would produce data Mon
day.
Ex-Auditor Clinton stated it was not q
custom to draw warrants in favor of clerks
in the office; when they were made out
in their names or those of brokers it was
because they were authorized agents Of
the holders; the militia vouchers were
brought by Governor Kellogg. who said
they represented payments in cash for
the Ozark, etc. they were supposed to be
regular; Adjutsnt General Street objected
to some of them, and those were Cancelled
by direction of Governor Kellogg; it was
not customary to destroy, but file them
the funding accounts should be found
properly kept with every detail; furnished
Governor Kellogg with accounts; gave in
formation of the same kind to citizens
daily; the Auditor, under section 178, has
discretion in settling with tax collectors
to prevent loss to the State; the compro.
misses were entered on the tax book; they
were principally with Warmoth collectors
| one defaulter to the amount of $40, 600 il
the Fourth District being settled with
| this was more than was lost during al
Kelloggs administration; the bond bool
was modelled on the system of the United
States treasury and every error could b,
| detected by it.