The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-03-26
Deposition Developing Some Interest
ing Facts-Price Declines to Criminate
Himself by Answering Questions.
Ben Butler and His Accounts with
the National Soldiers Home.
Interesting Items from the Treasury De-
partment-Remains of John Howard
Payne-Notes and Gossip.
PRICE AND BRADY.
Facts Brought Out in Deposition by the
Former in Civil Suit.

WASHINGTON, March 24.-Before Commits
sioner A. c. Bradley was taken the deposi-
ton, to-day, of James B. Price, in the suit
of Walsh VS.. Brady, for the recovery of
money alleged loaned the defendant by
plaintiff. The witness, J. B. Price, was
sworn, and said he was citizen of Missouri;
knew Thomas ]. Brady and also John A.
Walsh said he never had any financial trans
action with Walsh.
At this juncture counsel for Walsh pre-
sented to witness for identification sundry
drafts amounting in the aggregate to ST., 800.
These drafts were in the custody of Black
man, an employe of the government, as they
are part of the record of the Postoffice De-
partment These drafts are as follows: Two
postal drafts of ST. 250 each both drawn at
Washington July 13, 1880 to the order of ].
B. Price, and by himself indorsed against
the pay on route No. 81 12O from Indianola
to Corpus Christi, Tex, for quarters ending
Sept. 80, 1880, and Dec. 81, 1880. Witness
identified these two drafts as having been
drawn and indorsed by himself Witness
next identified the following additional
postal drafts, each being drawn for $4,000
and dated Washington, July 49, 1879, agai ust
his pay on the following named quarters on
the mail route from Corpus Christi to San
Antonio, Tex: For the quarter ending March
81, 1880; quarter ending June 80 1880; quarter
ending Sept. 80, 1880; quarter ending Dec.
81, $780, and for quarter ending March 81,
1881. These drafts all bore in addition, in
dorsement of J. A Walsh.
Witness being asked as to whether or not
that was Walsh's Endorsement, replied that
he was not familiar with Walshs signature
and that Walsh could testify on that
point. On being asked to whom he
had given these seven drafts, he de-
clined to answer on the ground that
he did not believe any one had a right to
pry into his private affairs. Being pressed
for reply, he said that he declined answer
ing on the ground that he was under indict-
ment mainly, as he was informed, by reason
of the testimony given by Walsh, and, fur
ther, his answer might tend to eliminate
himself
Quite discussion ensued between counsel
at this juncture as to the relevancy of this
testimony in an action brought by Walsh
to recover money alleged to be loaned by
him to Brady.
Counsel for Walsh maintained the relevan-
cy would very soon appear if witness would
/ answer the question.
Price betrayed some excitement at this
| juncture. and said that so far as he was con-
cerned he would not have testified in this
case at all but for the request made by Sena-
tor Cockrell (his counsel) and Mr.. Ker.
Counsel for Brady asked him what Ker he
He replied Mr.. Ker of counsel for the
Government
Price on being asked if it was not fact
| that plaintiff had, for over year, been try
ing to get his deposition in this case, admit
ted that it was, and further said if the Indict-
ment against him price, was nolle pressed,
| he would tell all the facts relating to the
draftsin question. He did not deliver any
of them to General Brady, nor had he done
anything that he would not do again to-
morrow.
Counsel for defendant Brady then asked
Price whether he had ever given Brady 50, 500
in postal drafts and 81, 800 in cash. He said
he had not.
Counsel for plaintiff then asked witness if
it was not a fact that ne had placed on the
desk of Second Assistant Postmaster-general
Brady an envelope containing 50, 500 in postal
drafts and 81, 500 in cash.
Defendants counsel vigorously objected to
this question, but witness said he would an
swer it in his way, which he did as follows
He admitted he had placed on Brady ssdesk,
in the Postoffice department, an envelope
containing $4,000 in postal-drafts, and 50, 500
in currency, addressed to A. II. Brown, and
asked Brady to see that Brown received the
same.
He was asked by plaintiffs counsel who
Brown was, and replied that he was mail
contractor, and had been formerly clerk in
the Postoffice department.
In answer to questions as to what Brady
said to him in reply to his (Price's) request.
that Brown should get the envelope, he said
that Brady simply "grunted after his usual
manner"
He was next asked if it was not fact that
the Brown referred to was the treasurer
of the fund raised by mail contractors to de-
fray the alleged expenses incidental to the
passage of the star-route appropriation bill,
and if the payment of the sum inclosed in
the envelope placed by witness on the desk
of Brady was not for corrupt purpose.
Witness declined answering the question for
the same reasons as before given.
Witness having declined to answer the
questions, the counsel for plaintiff asked that
the commissioner certify the same to the
court, with view to compelling witness to
answer The commissioner declined to do
this, on the ground that he had no right to
do so under the law. Thus the matter closed,
Price declaring his intention to leave the city
this evening.
Friends Of General Brady, commenting on
to-day's proceedings in this case contend
they were an outrage upon him. They assert
the government is a party to it; that The tes-
tmony has not the slightest bearing in the
case of Walsh VS.. Brady, and that the only
purpose of its introduction is to injure the
defense in the pending star-route trial. They
say also that Price refused to answer the
above mentioned questions, not because his
testimony would actually criminateany one,