The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-08-10
AUDTTORIAL INVESTIGATION.
VIE. sCHOLTZ, LATE CHIEF CLEWh
RETURNS FROM EUROPE
AND TEsTIFIEs

THAT the Records were Packed and seH'
out Of the stHtc-Ilousc by
Johnssn's orders.
The Auditorial Investigating Committee met
nj II O'Clock on Thursday morning. Present
Senator steven, chairman; Messrs. Alaige sho
Leeds, Absent-Mr Desmarais.
MIR. r. N. Eholiz, late chief clerk In the Audi
tor's Office, was called
As THE first WITNESS,
whereupon, on motion, the committee went into
executive session, remaining with closed doors
until II m.
In response to interrogatoriee II liz said that
MR.. sholtz testified that ave boxes and one
trunk. containing State records belonging 10
the Auditors office, were packed up and the
boxes sent to the Custom House. though he did
not zee them after they left the office. He did
not pack them himself, but gave instructions un-
der Mr., Johnaons orders. and knew that they
were packed aud taken away, az did others in
the Office.
This wae about the substance OF The testimony,
and ab II m. the
pooRs WE'RE OPENED,
when Mr.. Steven remarked that the witness, Mr..
sholtz. desired TO make statement and that he
waH at liberty to do 40.
Mr.. Rholts then said what he deeired to state
was that his trip 10 Europe was caused purely by
family matters. and would have been uader.
taken evsn though Mr.. Johnson had remained
che Auditor Of The State. Il was decided upon,
he Hald, ON the 24th OF tareh, aud Mr.. j shnson
was we'll aware OF 1t himself The trip was un-
fortunate, az IL was under aiken iust when mat
tors were coming to point here. Il had no con-
neetion. however. with state, political or Audi
sorial affairs whatever. I DEERE to say further,
aaid the witness that when these books and rec.
ords were packed up my honest impression was
that IL was for the pupoee. OF guard
had no idea then that 1t would be made an object
of contest for olfc., nor could have had euch
an idea. A I have stated, before they were re-
move did moi even personally see them packed.
L was ri nply carrying out the orders OF Mr. john
son, WHO wss then the recognized Auditor. was
q clerk In the Office simply, aud eimply carried
,uus my Instructions After carrying out his or.
,dsrs did not see anything Of the books and rec
,since Sunday. the 2ist OF April, and intended to
leave on thai very day, but was informed that
warrant wac out
ron MY ARREST
on tho suppoeition that intended TO make away
with pabie records, and 1t was only upon apsur-
na nee thai such was not the case 10 the Gov
ernor and Thief OF Police that the obstacles
which were Intended to be thrown In my way
were removed / have heard while In Europe
that all sorts Of charges were made against me,
even being told ii possessed any secrets which
1 wac unwilling TO diyulRe, to stay away, and in
answer to that advice am here. have nothing
further 10 ada, except that my testimony is vol.
uAteered. | have returned Of my own accord
and voiition, and am willing TO give my testi-
'mony now at at any other time.
Mr.. kldige stated TO the committee that on the
next day alter the committee had adjourned,
subject TO call. he had received letter from Mir.
Sholtz, giving in substance the statement made,
and expressing his intention OF returning to the
city aud giving snch information as he had al
ready testiii sd to- aud that he should have pre-.
scented the letter hnd it rot been for Mr.. bholtz
arrival.
The committee then adjourned until Saturday
nj u. m,