The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-06-24
AJ1DTTORIAL INVESTIGATION.
Ex.AUpITOR JOHNSON ON THE STAND
AND REFUSES TO TESTIFY.

l
| AND REFUSES TO TESTIFY.
How the Packard police HAD wine-
| Basket Lunches.
The Audtorial Investigating committee met
yesterday. Present-senstor Steven, chairman
and Representatives Aldige and Leeds.
| B. r JouBERT SWORN.
Was tax collector Of the Second District from
February, 1876. The State Auditor never At.
tempted to make me settle directly with him.
| He furnished the blanks upon which the tax col
lector made bis reports
Have settled in full with the Treasurer Of the
State, except Id the case OF one settlement for
taxes Of one piece Of property, and that / am en-
joined from paying by ~ order from the United
States District Court That IL ell have belong
| ing to the State. The amount Is about $500 or
SEQ u. JOHNSON, Ex-AuDIroR,
was the next witness called. he appearing In the
| custody Of deputy sheriff, In response to sub
ppna from the committee.
TO Mr.. Aldige-1n the matter OF the possession
OF the books will have to refer you to nv former
books with him; decline Tor the same reason to
| answer as to whether the safe keys are in my
possession. Was employed in the tax coll, Q.
tors off 70 from 1870 to 1876, during Gen. Sher-
made settlements with Judge Dibble; received
checks from him; received warrants from him
which were endorsed on the back as the law re-
quires; those coming through the Sheriff's Office
were always endorsed in that way.
Have declined TO state whether the keys we're
In my possession or not.
rHEo. LrrsHUrz SWORN.
Have some papers, data, which desire to
examine prior to answering questions. There
was come testimony given by myself ia the
courts, which would like to find also.
The witness was then excused until Thursday
next at II q. m.
Mr.. Aldige stated that In his opinion It would
be well for all parties who have paid penalties
and licenses as well as taxes in the city to COM
municate the same to the committee. specifying
as to receipts held by them for all such taxes,
ETC., paid to the collectors or Others and to pre-
sent to the committee any and all Information
they possess relative to the business transacted
In the Auditors, or any other branch OF the gov
eminent that will lead to the discovery OF irregu-
larities or frauds.
Senator Steven and Representative Leeds
thought it advisable to adopt that plan.
Mr.. Aldige then offered resolution to that
effect, and 1t was adopted. The secretary was
instructed to send q copy Of the same to the
papers (see special notice in another eolumn) for
publication.
THOMAS o'BRIEN SWORN,
Was employed as warrant clerk in the Audi
tors Office from March IA, 1876, to the time it
WAS taken possession OF by the Nichols govern
ment Had the keys OF the vault in my pos.
session. 1t was my duty to open the vault in the
morning end lock 1t In the evening. Do not
know that all the books were placed in the vault
avery evening. Each clerk placed his own books
in the vault. Never noticed whether any one OF
them was left out or not. Gould have told IL |
had made it my business to do so. Remember
in one instance large book was left out on the
desk; that was when irst went into the office
| went there regularly every day. Eaton James,
Rotherbelder, Dan Rose, Victor and Reggie
we're the clerks. Never noticed any boxes in the
vault, though l saw two trunks in there
Think their contents were taken out OF
the armoirs. Don't know that any
BOOKS WERE ABsTRACTED,
nor did assist in taking away any books. No
proposition was made to me to take the books
away.
Have not got the keys OF the vault now. Sup
pose Mr.. johnson has them. l gave them to
him. Did not have them when Auditor Jumel
took possession OF the Office, nor when the lock-
smiths were opening the vault. l did not boast
to any one on that day, or any other day, that |
had them and that "thev might hammer away
there to their hearts content"
Gave the keys TO Mr.. johnson before that
time. though don't remember at what date
turned them over to him. That was done ut his
request, coade in the Auditors Office before the
NicholS government had charge Of the building.
At the time the vault was opened the keys were
IN MIR. soHNsoN's POSSESSION.
Gave them to him in the day time. Worked at
night making out warrants, some time between
January and April 1, 1877, but only one or two
nights. Have no knowledge OF the wsy In
which any books were taken from the Auditors
Office. No money was offered In my presence to
any one to take them away.
Saw Mr.. Sholtz last in the office; think he ex- |
pressed his intention Of leaving q week before he
left; merely said he was going. That was may |
be q couple or three weeks before the Nichols |
government took possession OF the office.
l left the
hooks IN THE VAULT
where the warrant books of 1876 and 1877 were. |
Did not draw warrants in 1877, and ante-date
them 1876. Books or papers could not be packed !
up without my knowledge, and it has not been |
done In my presence. Between January l and
April 81, 1877, saw no packages go out OF the
Office. Did see wine baskets go out empty; they |
they contained provisions when they came in,
and went out empty every time as saw them. |
They contained provisions for the policemen and
came from restaurant.
To Mr.. Leeds Have been in the habit Of Civ |
ing the KEYS OF the vault up nearly every day.
To Mr.. Aldge--Saw no one put books or papers
in the baskets. They were brought by color ed
man.
Mr.. Aldidge stated to the witness that his
testimony confioted with that given by some OF
other the ex-Auditor's clerks, and that he could
report again on Tuesday and correct it.
Mr.. Steven stated that the witness might con
slider himself summoned to appear again on
Tuesday next, at II a. m. to which time the Com
mittee then adjourned.
THE CUsTOM-HOUsE COMMISSION.