New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1877-05-26


Wednesday the witnesses were Charles
J. Victor and ex-Auditor Charles Clinton.
Mr. Victor said he was tax clerk seven
years; did not know what had become of
the missing books; packed the rolls in
trunks after theninth of January and they.
were placed in the vaults; had the keys,
which were Auditor Johnson's private
property.
Auditor Clinton testified
He was Auditor from December Is,
1872, to December 81, 1876. Took an in
Ventory when he went in, but did not when
he turned over to Auditor johnson Only
took from the Office memorandum book
and copies of reports. No documents.
were destroyed. Blanks we're issued to
tax collectors; received cash from them
some times. In 1875, in consequence of
financial disturbances they received pay
ments in certified checks, which could be
bought at O discount; the Treasurer re-
fused to receive these Many tax colleo-
tors bonds were not good. After, taking
advice with Governor Kellogg took their
entire collections to prevent possible loss
to the State Purchased $400, 600 Of war
rants with $500, 900 cash by auction, Mr..
Carpenter being the auctioneer; turned
the warrants into the treasury. The State
only was benefited by this The tax col
lectors could not have settled with the
Treasurer; some had part cash and part
warrants. Property was very unsatisfac-
torily described on the collectors rolls.
Required them to correct it. Monthieu's
books had been kept on the old plan.
What he paid went into the treasury and
Auditors receipts were given him. he
never made settlement often, and is
sued for amounts due since then. Wit
nesses took the receipt fron the Treasurer.
Had never bought warrant individually
and never manipulated one any way to
derive any profit personally. Never
speculated in them; had trouble with the
State Treasurer; there seemed to be in
fuences that made some parties favored
in cashing warrants and others the re-
verse; the Investigating committee of 1876
made partial report at the first session
don't think they did much between the ses-
siops; nearly all Of the committee wanted
something done, generally warrants
cashed; the Legislature authorized war
rants of $500 600 for claims passed by
the Board of Audit; this Was unconstitu-
tional; refused to audit Bayou Bartholo.
new, Honor & Benedict and Other
claims; was told the committee would
make trouble for me; a Senator said il
would cost $500 to stop the report
think Mssicot and Herwig Of the commit.
tee and Twitchell were interested in the
claim; was told Lowell had the report in
his hands and it would be introduced il
the S500,00O was not audited; refused
and the report went in; refused to audi
the General Anderson warrants; Lowell
and Antoine were the most officious il
getting them through; was not present a
the meeting of the Funding Board il
New York; Sitka was tax collector of st
Landry; found when he died that hii
bond had expired; Mr.. Morris succeeded
him; Anderson settled Sitka's account fol
5000; Anderson settled Morris accounts
with warrants of 1874 for 1875; this wal
done by pressure of Governor Kellogg
there might have been between $4,000 anC
$4,000 Of them; the wrong was in re
ceiving one years warrants for taxes du
the next; did not settle the first accoun
till satisfied the State could recove
nothing; Mr.. Lowell brought the certif
cate for the Anderson Warrants they wer
not Auditors warrants; they could no
have been funded unless they were bond
or warrants of 1874; the certificate wa
signed by Lowell, Anderson and Deslondc
Mr.. Charles H. Merritt gave the mos
important testimony, Friday, stating this
he kept the tax ledger; that there wer
many alterations and interlineations i
1874, made on papers shown to him show
ing where orders should be Cancelled
compromise settlements were made on th
order of the Auditor; the books shout
check each other; know of compromis
settlements only by hearsay; was appoin
ed expert by Governor Kellogg in 1873
examine the Treasureris books; prepare
statement; the only differences betwee
the Auditor and Treasurer were in ba
ancing ON the transfer of funds in 1877
! the parishes were changed, some not beir
enough, and others too much; don't kno
about st. Landry parish.