Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-07-20
THE POLK TRIAL.
DIR. Porter on the Witness Stand
at Nashville.
Worlds Report, July 10.
DIR. D. 7. PORTER

eNf - - =
testified that he was member of the
investigating committee which inVes-
tigated the condition of the treasury
and reported the defalcation. The
committee inspected the treasury and
reported to the Legislature that Polk
was a defaulter to the amount of
$402,00V The witness then detailed
what the committee found in the
Treasurer's Office which is already
familiar to the public.
Q. Do you know whether any money
was received into the treasury between
the time Polk fed and the time you
went into Office?
A. | don't know. Money was being
constantly received into the treasury.
Q. Was Polk there?
A. He was not.
@. Could you find him?
A. We could not.
Q. What steps were taken for his
arrest?
A. l applied to the Governor to tel
egraph to have him arrested, but he
refused to do so. l then went to the
Chief of Police, who telegraphed to
San Antonio, Laredo, FL Paso, New
Orleans and probably to some other
places. The next day when the Gov
ernor was convinced that Polk was q
defaulter, he telegraphed. | thought
that we had all points leading into
Mexico covered so that he could not
get to that country.
@. You had information then that
he was heading for Mexico?
A. l did.
Q. When was he arrested?
The defense objected to this guess
ton on the ground that the witness
did not personally know that Polk was
arrested, and the State did not insist
on an answer to the question
POik?"
A. Yes, two from Nashville, Messrs,
Porter and Fields. | afteward tele-
graphed Captain Pryde at Memphis
and he accompanied them.
Q. When did you next see Mr.
Polk2
A. After he was released on bond
@. When was he brought back?
A. About ten days had elapsed.
Q. What amount of money did you
find on hand in the treasury?
The witness replied $9O86.77.
O. What amount was on hand in the
various repositories?
A. $200,544A.
Q. What then was the total amount
on hand in the treasury and In the de,
positoriesp
A. $2O9,59878.
Q. What ought to have been on
hand?
A. 1888, 4O56l.
@. How did you arrive at that?
A. From Captain Fleming and from
the books. | believe we also got soml
information from the reports in tn,
hands of the Governor.
The defense objected to this, but
Judge Allen ruled if they obtained
their information from the books, as
sisted by Captain Fleming, he coul,
answer. If obtained from Japtair
Fleming alone he could not answer
The witness replied the information
came from the books and the answe
was admitted.
O. Were any credits after yards al
loWed2
A. Yes.
The witness called over the credits
amounts which bad been paid out 70
State expenses, but for which no war
rant had been issued, also the credit
, due from the Mechanics Bank, Q
Knoxville, and the Continental Bank
Of New York, making altogether cred
, | It's to the amount Of $28, 3O2.2l.
Q. What is the total amount turne
over, including the oredits2
A. Two hundred and forty-nin
thousand three hundred and twenty
eight dollars and ffty-seven cents.
, Attorney General Washington: Tw
hundred and iorty-six thousand dol
, lars we make it.
Colonel Colyar: You are not tn
.. witness in the case.
O. What was the cash deficiency
A. Not including the bonds, it wa
, $3.50 OH 10.
Q. What was the total deficit, il
: oluding the bonds2
A. Three hundred and seventy.fou
/ thousand three hundred and sixty
four dollars and sixty cents.
Gross examined. 20. How long wei
4 you investigating the treasury
I A. Several months.
Q. Did you employ experts2
! A. Yes.