The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-05-03
nessea for the Commonwealth be separa.

nesses for the Commonwealth be separa-
ted. ~ 4: L.z..scs - y.
The Commemorative Attorney did not
object. but insisted that the witnesses for
the defence should be sent out also. .'l,
Mr. Barbour: Not during the examina-
ton Of your witnesses?
Common wealth's Attorney: Oh, yesi I
have no idea OF your witnesses hearing mine
and mine not hearing yours.
All the witnesses, except those as to cha
racter, were sent from the courtroom.
The certificate was read by Mr.. Bigger
and handed to the jury.
Judge Crump suggested that the Judge
caution the jury to regard only SO much OF
the certificate as had been proved
Mr.. Bigger could not say that the word
GCrittenden I" endorsedupon back Of certih-
cate was the writing Of the accused, there
fore Mr.. Bigger was taken from the wit
ness-stand, and Mr.. Frank Binford called to
prove that writing. 80 3
FRANK BINFoRD.
Mr. BinforG couldn't remember whether
Crittenden wrote his name on the warrant
in his presence or not. To the best OF his
knowledge and belief the word in question
{" Crittenden ~ was written by Crittenden.
this paper was presented the name OF Ar
thur was on the receipt [on the back OF. the
certifcate]. The person to whom the war
rant is delivered endorses the certificate.
Judge Crump objected to the witness al
luding to Arthur's signature before it had
been proved. -
:. L. ARTHUR.
| The Commonwealth's Attorney called Mr.
Arthur, and Mr.. Arthur said he signed the
paper. " <,.
Judge Crump objected.
Mr.. Arthur recalled-Question by the
Judge: Did you sign this paper in its pre-
sent condition?
| Judge Crump objected.
Mr.. Arthur: did not. Looking at the
back OF the certificate, upon which the form
of the receipc is printed.] I should say that
when l signed the paper there was no other
writing upon it.
Mr.. Binford was called to prove that he
put the writing on the receipt above the
Signature OF Arthur. Judge Crump OBJ
iected. Overruled.
Judge Guigon said that when all parts OF
the paper had been proved the paper would
20 to the jury as evidence.
Judge Crump objected to the attempt to
introduce any evidence as to this paper
other than the name OF Crittenden, and so
much OF the paper as is set forth in the in
dictment. Oyerruled.
Mr.. Binford testified that he filled in the
date and the "seventy-eight dollars " in the
receipt.
JOHN BELL BIGGER RECALLED.
Didn't remember to whom Arthur's GER
ti6cate was delivered. Attcndance-book is
principally kept by WI. Bigger; but under
my direction, according to Rules s and OF
the House.
The book was offered in evidence here.
Judge Crump objected, as it was prinei-
pally kept by W. j. Bigger, and was not an
official book. Overruled.
The book shows that on March 9th, in
witnesses handwriting, he was charged
with certificate for days at Sc per day
SIS. Certificate corresponded with entry.
Three days was all that was due Arthur on
March 9th.
Mr.. Bigger was cross-eXamined at great
length by Mr.. Wise as to changes in figures
OF various members accounts. Mr.. Bigger
explained that often 4 member would send
nare for his certificate. They would as
certain, for instance. that fifty days were
due him, and would make out certificate
for that number, and the member would
send it back and say he wanted only ten.
That certificate would be destroyed and u
new one issued. Then fifty days would be
written over with ten days, and $500 written
over $50.
In one place, when the Legislature had
been in session but. 16 days, member was
first charged with 19 and the 8 rewritten 6.
MIR. Bigger's brother attended to this book,
and he supposed that changes OF this sort
were because OF simple errors. In the
other instance the changes were madeat
| - yuh
wish to draw all they were entitled to.
In the case of D. A. Carter, clerk, a certi-
cate for 120 days was issued. He took it to
the Auditors office. They didn't have
enough money to pay him. That certificate
was torn up by Mr.. Bigger, and one for a
smaller number OF days issued, which could
be paid. Hence the changes.
Many other accounts were Investigated.
In some instances Mr. Bigger explained the
changes. In others he could not do so, as
the transactions were not with him, but
with his brother W. j. Several years ago,
it appeared, 4 certificate was issued to Mr.
Armentrout for 1882 more than he was en-
titled to, and the error was corrected by
covering the money back into the Treasury.
1Colonel CritIenden is said to have first
called attention to this error
In answer to questions from Mr. Wise
MI. Bigger Silu uc uluil IAiinh WV IL Itio
S7S raleged to have been raised from SlS
to S7Sl was his, but was not absolutely GER
tain. First time he ever saw cert1hcate SAID
he never made that or that Z. Thinks
the T is formed on basis OF a /.
Mr.. Bigger gave accused fine character.
At S:45 the court took a recess until 5
!. O'Clock. -. ..t.. ..'!5E
MIR. ARTHUR AS WITNESS.
| Mr. Arthur testified that be received his
certificate for three days pay from John
Bell Bigger in person; gave it to Colonel
Crittenden to collect. Colonel Crittenden
paid him S1S Signed his name las Tor re-
ceint1 on Crittenden's cash-book, March 9th.
Tn his cross-examinationb by General Field,
Mr. Barbour; Mr.. J. S. Wise, and Judge
Crump, Mr.. Arthur would not be positive
that he delivered the certificate to Colonet
Crittenden thought so, but would not as
sert it absolutely. First intimation witness
had OF this forgery was Crittenden calling
unon him to go to the Auditors office,
where the Poindexter and Arthur certlh-
Gates were produced. Remarked that his
certificate had been tampered with. Wit
ness would not be absolutely sure that he
placed the certificate in the hands OF Crit
tenden for collection; believed he did. NO
officer ever paid witness without carefully
counting out money and seeing that lt was
correct. 4 case was called to the attention
Of witness where he did sign receipt to
Crittenden. and upon going to his room
found the amount So short, Whicn Coionei
Crittenden voluntarily and without sugges-
ton brought him subsequently. IL was 20