The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-12-29
THE TREASURY INVESTIGATION.
THE TREAsURERs BOOKKEEPER AND
r. r. HERwIG ON THE STAND.
Former Assertions of Dubuclet's Favor-
itisln Denied.

| FORMER Assertions OF Dubuclets FaVSr-
itism Denied.
The legislative committee to examine into the
affairs OF the State treasury met last night.
Present-Senator White, chairman, and Repre-
sentative Keeting.
Mr.. James Campbell was the first witness
called, he testifying in substance that he was
now, and had been since 1866, the bookkeeper in
the State Treasurer's Office; checks issued passed
through his hands after being paid. As far as he
knew, there was nothing wrong as regards the
workings Of the Office. Did not know that any
one in the office
GAVE INFORMATION OUTSIDE
~ to money being in the treasury, or being paid
10 by tax collectors.
To MIR. Whte-His duties were those OF book
keeper simply; had no connection with the cash
ier's transactions Sometimes checks were drawn
by the witness, and in such cases it was by order
of the cashier. The overdrafts reported by
previous committee were accidental, and grew
out OF press Of business. II out OF 200 over
drafts It's were in favor OF one individual, could
not say, as an accountant that there was wrong
and IL out Of 400 persons, overdrafts should sp.
pear in favor OF sixteen, could not give an opn-
| ion az TO whether or not the accounts wore 40
curate or psrtialty had been shown.
| 1t might be possible that
MONEY COULD DE DRAWN
! from the treasury without his knowledge, though
every entry on his books had the auditors order,
or he had his warrant for the entry. The cashier
| always had charge Of the bank book ODly knew
| Of the money drawn out of the treasury without
warrants in 1874 by the reports, and knew
nothing OF 1t until then. Was merely the book
keeper; such az the bookeeper in a bank.
Know Mr.. Herwig the former special deputy
collector. He frequently came TO the Treasnrer's
office. Mr.. Norcross also came. Mr.. Bsttenesud
came there too. Know MIR. Auguste. His du-
ties officially as far as the State was concerned.
were none. He was there day after day. Had
seen by the testimony that Mr.. Dubucet claimed
him to be his solicitor or adviser. Knew that.
| too from bis action In the Office. When the
Treasurer was In doubt az regarded legal
question, Mr.. Auguste would express an opinion.
lie read the law to Mr.. Dubuolet, and was there
all or nearly all Of the time. Mr.. Dubuclet had
stated that he was
HIS LEGAL ADVISER.
Had nothing to do with the settlement OF tax
collectors, and knew nothing Of the payment OF
| warrants.
To Mr.. Keetipg-Iu my ospsoity a. bookkeeper
I registered the overdrafts, and know now suf-
Gould always trace them as such, and knew they
| we're true mistakes and innooently done. There
might be an overdraft, and at the end OF the
| month would discover it by checking the books.
| Check them now nearly every day, aud balance
the fund book nearly every two or three days, and
| this year every day.
| Wonld state a far as the overdrafts were CON-
cerned that, excepting
| THE POLICE CONCERN,
all were done through mistakes.
Mr.. White-The expert has reported nothing
Witness to MIR. Keeting-H,ve seen other par
ties there as often as Mr.. Herwig or Mr. Norcross.
A number OF persons have been there oftener
| than Mr.. Herwig.
Impossible TO say whether money was paid to
| any one In the Office or whether preference was
given in the payment OF warrants Was IN the
front office while the cashier was In the back
| office Never had noticed any preference shown.
Would state as fact that there were great
many persons who had nothing to do, who would
20 on Carondelet street, among the brokers. and
| get warrants, with the brokers' promise OF GER
| tain per cent il they collected them, and then
these persons would come and
| LOAF ALL DAY
ct the Treasurer's Office, and they would expect
payment when the first tax collector came in.
| Knew that they were continually out OF other
employment, and they thought they should be
psidin preference to any creditors OF the State
Should they not succeed in getting their war
rants Dashed they were the first to cry out
| preference"
Witness would invite investigation Of his own
conduct, and would challenge any one to say q
single word against him in his official capacity.
Mr.. whitehall Ia the general report, and the
universal comment is that your work is per-
formed as we'll as any one could perform
it, In fact have never heard any one say to
the contrary.
p Herwig was the next witness called.
To Mr.. Rockingham broker % well as specu-
lator, and am interested in
GREAT MANY ENTERPRISES,
being interested in steamboats,. tugboats, barges,
etc., and in the past four or five years have been
. large holder OF State securities, bonds,
warrants, vouchers and securities of ali
classes = Slate as well 40 city. Keep
record only Of part OF such securities,
that il when the transaction is for my personal
account. but when loans are made on collaterals
keep no record. In such cases, when the loans
are paid either in money or Otherwise 1t goes
toward the liquidation OF the debt Held q
large amount or warrants In 1855; some were
purchased and 8 large amount held as cola :
erals. Presented some at the treasury and
others were left there for collection, for which
gave the owners credit when they were paid.
having advanced money on them until they
could be collected.
!, Did not collect very largo amount on my own
account. In the year 1876 1 think purchased
ct one time sac, 900, and in numerous other cases
purchased in sums ranging from $1,000 to $1,000
or $40, 900, and rarely
LESS THAN $500
ut time. Know was the largest holder OF
1876 warrants in the State. They were princi-
paly general fund. Also held great many
State House warrants, they being OF 1875, but
afterwards changed to 1876. There were great
many Of that class out but they were in the
! hands Of few men in fact, even now they
,, we're in the hands Of few parties only. It was
so with the 1875 warrants, and that was owing to
the fact that it was believed that the revenues
> would be in excess OF the appropriation. Got
very few of my own warrants-1876, general
, fand-cashed, but had a large number cashed On
which had
| GIVEN THE PAR VALUE;
for instance In one case l gave broker $170O or
!, S17l0, or about that amount, giving dollar for
. do lar, and did that in o number Of cases. Done
that also for q great many State officers and at
one time for the cleI ks in the AUDITORS Office.
took the warrants and advanced the par value.
| They we're maid q short time after. I believe.