The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-09-29
TREASURY INQUIRIES.
KELLOCGs GERHYMANDERING, As
RELATED DY DUMAS.

the State-House. Present, Senator White, chair
man, and Representative Keeting.
The first witness examined was Morris M. Sam
uels, broker, who, in response to inquiries pro-
pounded by the chairman, testified that he had
TRANSACTIONS WITH THE TREASURY.
and had warrants fled there, some OF which had
been paid Since 1879 he had filed but few for
payment; not more than $500 or 5000. Some re-
manned in the treasury from one and a half to
two years. These were judges warrants One
was paid about year ago, and the others have
been there since. They were warrants issued in
1874. Had been to the treasury to demand pay
ment and they said there was no money. When
called at the counter some one went into the
inside room, and came back and said there was
no money. Have seen people go into the back
room Never went in there myself.
Know nothing relative to Mr.. Auguste dealing
in warrants and know nothing of the dealings of
the Office, except as stated.
To Mr. Keeting Have no positive knowledge
that favoritism was shown in the payment of
warrants by the Treasurer or in his office; only
know that from hearssy; believe Jared as well
as the others.
b. +. Joubert was next worn-Was tax col.
lector OF the Second District two years: never
received instructions from the Treasurels office
to pay or to
CASH STATE WARRANTS.
Don't recolleet ANYTHING about an order to ad-
vance money on warrant drawn for Mr.. Hill of
Ut. Landry. After the death Of Attorney General
Field his wife came to me aud asked IL would
cash o warrant for 5000. ] told her If the Treas
urer would accept il 1 would. She went to the
Treasurer, and returning, said he would reotive
1t in my settlement. wasn't satisfied, and went
to the Treasurer, when he said he would receive
it. went to the Treasurer's son, the cashier,
then, aud
HE SAID NO.
They got the money. Though, and cashed it them
selves.
Sometimes Legislative warrants would be sent
to me to cash, aud the Treasurer told me that he
would receive them in settlement Of my accounts
as tax collector. and cashed them.
When made settlements at the Treasurer's it
was done in the back room. Mr.. Auguste was
there generally. Saw some go in and out. Never
saw any one there with claims or warrants to OBJ
tain the money simultaneously with my settle
ment One case remember where my son had
claim and the Treasurer refused it, While tax
collector making settlements, did not see that
ANYTHING WAS UNFAIR
in the transactions ut the Treasurer's office.
Never said to any person that l possessed
knowledge of facts that would send the majority
OF those in the Treasurer's office to the Peni-
Tertiary.
May have said that there was general rumor
that Herwig was receiving q large portion or
amount of the funds received in the Treasury.
That was my private opinion, based on the fact
OF different people
COMING TO SEE ME,
that had warrants, and asking when would
make settlement. After / had settled they
'old me their warrants had not been paid. Never
saw Herwg in the Office while / was settling:
may have seen him when was coming or going
out, but be did not STAY In there Never divided
vut yr,U rv Htofn pEE n F,x. 49,
Office; no such condition was required Of me.
Ex-Gov JOHN M'ENERY
was the next witness called, and testified in sub.
stance that he was employed as an attorney by
Major Richardson shortly after he opened an
office here in 1876, to secure the payment of
orders for cancelled land warrants. Major Rich
srdson understood that the Auditor would not
issue the warrants upon the orders, as there
was no appropriation to warrant against. I ex-
amined the law, and, abiding to certain sections
was OF the opinion that the Auditor could issue
the warrants even though there WAS no appro-
priation. went to see the Auditor, johnson,
and
SHOWED HIM THE LAW,
and he said he would refer the matter to the At
torney General. He said. however, that if he
did issue them the Treasurer would not pay them,
and tnat we had better wait until 1875, when an
appropriation would be made That was subse.
quently made, and when we succeeded in obtain
ing the warrants we employed MIR. Joseph Her
nandez to collect them. He presented them ut
the treasury and
THE TREASURER OBJECTED,
said the warrants were for 1875, and could not be
paid out OF an appropriation made in 1876. told
Hernandez to do what he could with them and
he got them paid. Major Richardson told me
that Hernandez paid $3.50 to get them cashed.
The witness was then handed q warrant for
$500 drawn in favor Of the parish Judge of Liv-
ingston parish, with check drawn for the war;
rant, and both endorsed "John McEnery;;" also
another warrant drawn in favor Of r. e. Rivers,
OF the Building and Loan Association, for $500,
for the purchase of the State-House. and en-
dorsed "a WAS also check by 'John McTnery"
indicating that both warrants and checks had
been paid to his order.
The witness That signature is not mine: (The
chairman remarked that the record would show
that they were paid to Herwig.)
Winess-It may be there claims were sent to
our firm for collection, but that is
NOT MY SIGNATURE
on them.
To Mr.. Keeting-The land warrant. or order,
was issued in 1876 for 1875; was present when
the warrant was presented by MIR. Hernandez;
it was after that that they were paid; know
nothing about the other warrants or checks.
To Mr.. White-The statement made by Her.
nandez to me was on the steps of the treasury.
Subsequently the witness examined the two
warrants and checks, aud said they may have
been signed by another party by his name, as
there was such party in the city, under the st.
Ouarleb uOtel, VINO Clerkea Tor Mr.. Rivers.
MIR. DUMAS WAS CALLED
and sworn Was appointed tax collector of the
Third District January 8, 1875; remained until
December 81, when I was removed; Gov Kellogg
said he was obliged to remove me on account OF
the Senator and Representative from my district;
when tax collector, in one case, on March 4, Mr..
Angomar came to my Office and said the Ireas-
urer directed me to cash warrant for s242;
refused, because did it some time before, and
hadato keep the warrant; the Treasurer's cashier
then came to my Office and
TOLD ME TO CASH 1T.
In 1872 was tax collector seven months; war
rant for $4,000 cashed by me on orders, and
another for judge was cashed; these two orders
were in writing, and came from the Treasurer's
office. Parties came frequently with such in
structions, but / refused, because did not want
to be bothered by going from the Treas urer to
his son. When was removed it was because
refused to give more money. Kellogg said the
office was given to the Senator and Representa-
tive from my district; l had given these men
BETWEEN $4,000 AND $4,000.
urcu NJ In r., r