The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-05-25

! taxes"; the bonds themselves were signet
in Ms, but the signature on the coupons
was engraved In fac Simile, and was IN ac
cordance with the law.
Mr.. Shacklcford was cross-cxamined by
Mr.. Blair. Was acquainted with the sigma
ture Of George Rye. Never saw this cou'
pom before; didn't know, but firmly be
| lieved there was only one such coupon oi
such No. issued; the plate has always been
in the hands OF the Bank-Note Company In
New York, but the Commonwealth always
considered It under her control; never
knew OF duplicate coupon. Yes; S9l, ,0OC
of coupons were reported missing by the
legislative committee; witness had eX'
amned the Trcasurer's register, and this
coupon here offered has never yet been re-
ceiyed for taxes, II the books are correct.
and believe that they are; have no reason
to believe that the coupon In question has
ever been duplicated.
After these and other questions-Mr.
Shackleford never expressing the slightest
doubt about the genuineness OF the coupon,
having often seen the real signature and
fac sinsiie Of George Rye side by side
Mr.. Blair moved to exclude all the testi-
mony OF the witness on the ground that he
has no personal knowledge that said cou-
pon IL genuine; that he does not know
whether more coupons were printed than
should have been printed; that he cannot
identify fac-simile signature; aid that
his opinion as to genuineness Is only from
infcrences.
Mr.. Blair and Mr.. Witt retired and pre-
pared their bill OF exceptions, which being
brought into court, there was some ques-
ton as TO what Mr.. Shackleford had testi-
fled to, and he was thereupOn subjected to
further examination.
THE COUPON REGISTERS
having been brought into court, Mr.. Shack
leiord showed from them that the coupon
Of No. here offered was outstanding, and
had never been received for taxes. Mr..
Shackleford stated that from his informa-
ton and eXpertness acquired in the hand
ling OF coupons that this coupon was
put forth 10y the State; had no sort Of
doubt about it. Millions OF these coupons
have been issued and no counterfeit or du-
plicate had ever been found. The bonds
and coupons were printed by the National
Bank-Note Company (now merged into the
American Bank-Note Company, which
company is above suspicion, and is the
largest establishment OF the kind in the
country.
Mr.. Blair renewed and insisted upon his
motion to exclude the testimony OF Mr..
shackeford, but agreed to wait until other
testimony was in.
GENERAL ASA ROGERS
testified that he was Second Auditor for
thirteen years; that Mr.. Shacklcford had
correctly described the funding process,
and that he believes the coupons in ques-
ton are genuine. The fac smile on the
coupon is the exact similitude Of the sigma
ture Of George Rye; the steel-plate print
ing was done in the highest style OF the
art known, and at great cost, 10 prevent
counterieitiug. Had never heard Of cOun-
terfeit coupons.
In answer to Mr.. Blair, General Rogers
said that the steel plates were LETT in the
custody OF the bank-note company in New
York, under the control OF the Second Au-
ditor, and that in the printing Of the cou-
pons the company were only restricted by
the honesty OF the company and its officers
and employees.
General Rogers was then examined by
Mr.. Blair as to the reason for establishing
the coupon registry; as TO the probability
OF coupons being received for taxes and
not cancelled; and, briefly, as to alleged
loss OF coupons from the Second Auditors
office; on all Of which points that part OF
the public interested ought be already in
formed.
After the examination OF General
Rogers, the testimony Of the petitioner
being all in, and it being near o'clock,
the court adjourned, and further proceed
ings in this case were continued until to-
morrow.