The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-12-16
THE DUBUCLET INVESTIGATION.
TEs rymONY ELECTED YESTERDAY
now CHECKS WERE PAID.
AND WHO TO.

Th6 Legislative o0mmlttee 10 eAhihsno INV '"'
affairs Of the state treasury met yesterday at the
State. House. Present: Senator White, chair
man, and Representative Keeting.
The FIRST witness called was Isidore Newman
ESQ, who was Intercepted by the chairman,
who had before him the
REPORT OF THE EXPERTS,
showing the entire operations OF the State Treas
urers Office for the year 1876. including each war
warrant paid, how paid, in cash or by cheek, by
whom indorsed, to whose order checks we're
drawn, and the Endorsements thereon.
In response TO the questions propounded by the
chairman. Mr. Newman testified that he had
been broker here since 1868, ana 90 suen mao
been dealer in State securities OF all kinds and
TO large extent. His books TO certain exteht
would show bis
pEAIINAs WITH THE TREASURY;
could estimate IL 40 amounting In 1876 to from
sl75,000 to 100000 the greater part OF the war
rants being for judges salaries; collected them
directly himself, the checks being made to his
own. or 10 his clerks IL, Hsmfs) order; did not
SOLICIT them regularly or frequently by or
through
AMY OTHER PERSON.
Gould not say positively that there was favor
itism shown In the matter OF paying warrants;
there was some talk about II. but could not trace
AZ TO any reliable source; has no knowledge OF
cvsrdrafts being given by tie Treasurer, or of
checks being given when there we're no funds to
meet them, or anticipating q reception OF funds.
In one or two instances checks were given in the
evening, the Treasurer saying they would
DE COOP IN THE MORNING,
when he made his deposits.
The chairman then, referring to the experts
report, asked the witness II he could furnish q
hat or the warrants held by him i'm 1876 and 1875,
Mr.. Newoomb replying that he did not keep the
number OF the warrants. When he had war
rants sometimes he left them on file In the treas
urer's Office, those being the portion LETT with
him e colateras. The Judges ne ssla, imo,na
from him and instructed him to leave the war
rants st the Treasures office, which he did.
Gould give pretty correct list of that class OF
warrants. Estimated the total amount at A0, 900
or SbO, 600 against The general fund Of 1876, and
perhaps there were more-ss much, perhaps. rs
300, 600 or s70,0 600. Had some on file yet ut the
Treasures office. When he collected checks he
did II himself, or his clerk did y. Went to the
forget about the warrants. The Treasurer gen.
orally said he had 80 much money. and
81 oAN PAY YoU THIS
warrant or that one," and he generally picked
out those held 81 collateral, in which witness had
no interest.
Never iounged around the Treasurer's office,
and never stayed there more than five minutes.
Suppose could have got more warrants paid II
1 had lounged around there as some brokers did
To Mr.. Keeting. rep About seven.eighths
Treasurer said several times that he would pay
Che Judges warrants first, but did not pay them
unless he had the exact amount OF money to
cover warrant. Am doing the same kind of
business now with the
PRESENT STATE GOVERNMENT,
N. -
Senator White-What rule did the Treasurer
govern himself by in paying the warrants fled2
Witness--The rule OF registering did not work.
He tried IL and IL wouldn't work. Then he paid
unfortunately. He claims that he divided the
funds amoDgithe warrant holders.
Senator White submitted and explained to the
witness . plan Of the Treasurer's office, in
guiring 40 10 where and in what room the checks
were paid him, the witness replying that Ii was
In the room back OF the front office Saw great
many people In the front office.
To Mr.. Keeting-Never WAS informed that there
was money In the treasury. but TO obtain the
payment Of warrants had TO use the greatest dill
igence TO find out that money was there.
A. BRrt0nneau was the next witness sworn, and
testified in substance that he was o native Of
Che city, was q clerk In the Collectors Office OF
In 1876, and during that year presented warrants
for collection TO the State Treasurer for the ac-
count OF Joseph Herwig, but none for his own
account. Generally presented them at the be-
did not wait about the door Of the Office Handed
the money to Herwig, and was
PAID NO COMMISSION
for collecting the warrants.
To Mr.. Keetipg Joseph Herwig's occupation
10 that Of q broker and was at that time, say
during 1876 from April to December. Collected
altogether about ffty-eight Thousand aud some
odd dollars; among that general fund warrants,
except one for the Citizens Bank upon the inter-
est tax fund for $1,000, and one warrant of 1872
for $500. The balance were general fund war
rants; some for the Republican Printing Com
pany, and may be one or two salary warrants,
but As far as his recollection went they were
nestly al printing warrants.
Mr.. Herwig would give the warrants to wit
ness and he deposited them; then he would
90 TO THE CASHIER
and ask him If there was any money, and some
times he would say yes, and sometimes no. If
there was, would take the check, and II not.
would 20 away. Never thought l received favors
that others did not.
Tb Senator White-This was merely friendly
service rendered on my part. Special Deputy
Collector Herwig never talked to me about 1t or
upon the subject paid the money to Mr.. Joe
dy wig. Can't remember exactly what the war
N>&Stor White-we find by an examination Of
IN .Joks that you collected in 1876 SIG 600, and
find your Endorsement on the checks for deposit.
Were you In the habit Of indorsing checks for
Witness In some instances
ENDORSED THE CHECKS
70 identity the parties who held the checks and
who came to me In the Custom House.
The chairman then read from the record list
OF the warrants, checks, etc., lndorsed by the
witness, inquiritg of the witness in each in
stance as to the Endorsement. The two fret,
witness said, he drew, the third was to the order
of J. Flatley, the check being indorsed by him
and witness.
The wtness-I may have indorsed 1t to identi-
~ him. only collected where my name is on
the warrant. FlAtley was in the Custom Honse
then, as was ]. Ward and Ii. Reeder, Flatley
working down stairs. Know O. Wallace; he was
In the Collectors Office. Know l.. Faust; he was
in the Custom House, as was A. Durand.
The Charman-We fnd warrant drawn August
2S, 1876 to w. R. Fish, Of the Republican Print
ing Company. and In pencil memorandum find
the name ]. Bertuci and Endorsed by A. Barton
neau.
The witness--Don't recollect that know Mr..
Dolhonde He ia 10 the Custom House, as
IS ALSO MIR. ToMLINsoN.
Senator White--We find warrant In favor OF
woodruff mar A. BartOnneau.