The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-02-28
Turning Oh t!Hc Light.
COALITION TAx-RECEIPT FRAUDS MADE MAN
FEST,

The following from the Alexandria Ga
zette'S report OF the testimony given in
that CITY in the contest of Massey Us. Wise
speaks for itself
Arthur Simpson was next called, and
testified that he is ReIdjuster; was APP
pointed collector OF delinquent taxes for
1881 by Auditor Allen on October 26 or u,
1892. Gave bond for 81, 800 or Si,j00, for
gets which. lie was asked to produce and
file his books and accounts showing who
had paid their capitation-taXes for 1881 to
him, and how much be collected. He re-
piled that be could not, as he had burned
all OF them except the covers OF the
books, which he used for gun-wadS;
he burned the books shortly after election,
though he admitted that they were
his vouchers by which to settle With the
Auditor: he has not collected any taxes
since the day Of election; has not yet set
tied with the Auditor; he said that he had
Il memorandum mt home showing that be
collected 1920 of capitation-taXes for 1881,
bat could not tell who paid hlm, rs he has
no list Of the names; with few exceptions,
all who paid him were colored men; the
amount OF taxes placed in his hands for
collection was S1,90j.92; he received 30
rer cent. commission for collecting; on
Monday or Tuesday, February 18th or
10th, nc sent Simpson Brothers check for
1886 to the Auditor; this was since these
depOsitions began, and since he was sum-
moned by the Democrats to testify; the
check was. he thought, on the First Ma
tiona Bank Of this city: he retained SS4
commission: he issued about 500 taX-re-
ccipts for 1881, but cannot give exact num-
Der; he ought to have collected Sj2j for
them, but only collected 1920; some par
ties owed him yet; declined to state how
many owe him; does not know whether all
the receipts he issued were to Roa1iustcrs
or not; cannot remember that he ever is
sued one to n Democrat; he delivered 20
taX-reccipts on the day OF election, Noyem-
Der I, 1882; gave to others receipts to be de-
livered on that day the 20 he so delivered
have not been paid Tor yet; closed his Office
as collector the day before election
has not opened an Office since; eX-
poets to begin IN the spring to collect the
81, 800 or 81 ,4C0 yet due by the delinquent
list; there is still due him on account OF
capiiation-taXcs he issued the sum OF 5l0j,
which represents 100 taX-reccipts issued by
him before election, for which no money
has yet been paid: never examined the law
relating TO taX-c0llect0rs; don't know how
he was expected TO settle with the Auditor:
expects to collect The money for the 100
iaX-receipts as soon as he can; does not
know any Of the names OF the 100 voters
who got them.
l21st Question: How do You expect to
collect the SlOj due from them if you don't
know who the parties are that owe it ?
Answer: | expect to collect it from other
parties who know are responsible.
122d Question: Who are those other par
ties Answer: | refuse TO state; it is
private matter between us.
l23d Question: Are they ReI1iusters?
Answer: | believe they are.
12lth Question Do they live in this
town? Answer: Yes, sir.
12jth Question: l. ID. A. Windsor one
OF themf Answer: No, sir.
12Gth Question: Is II. II. Simpson one OF
them! Answer: | decline TO answer.
127th Question: Is not r. II. Simpson |
your brother, and is he not a prominent |
and active Readiuster and clerk in the |
post-OGice here? Answer: lie is.
13Oth Question: What is the name OF the |
man to whom you gave twenty capitation-
tax receipts for 1881 on clection-day, No |
vember ], 1882. Answer: | decline to an
SWcf.
13lst Question: Was he q Readjuster?
Answer: believe he was.
Witness cannot recolect the name OF |
the twenty or any OF them; he gave them |
to the man 10 be used on election-day, and |
supposes they were so used; he issued rs
many rs twenty capltation-taX receipts TO |
one man a: a time; does not think that one
half OF those he issued were paid for by /
other persons than the Taxpayer himself:
he issued taX-receip,s to persons not on
The delinquent list for 1881; did not have
time to look at the list TO see il per-
sons name was on il or not; did not know
that 1t was unlawful 10 give receipts to
persons not on the list; did not know that
he only had n right to collect taxes on the
delinquent list; does not think be issued as
many a. 200 TO 300 persons not on the list;
does not know in point OF fact how many
he did so issue; the Auditor did not fix
my time within which witness must settle;
witness sent his bond TO the Auditor.