The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1886-04-03
THE WILSON MATTER.
The Alleged DsfalSRtlon Of = Former
wheeling MAJ. o

wheeling Man. o
Albuquerque DfnOerui, Aarrhl ".
During the progress Of the trial Of ".
X. P. Wilson, cashier Of the Albuqusr-
que National bank, it has been the desire
Of the Democrat to give the evidence in
detail, but for q great many reasons this
was next to impossible. The evidence
was given in such manner that It Would
have required twice the space that this
paper could spare TO print it in full, and a
synopsis would not have been at all salts
factory to the public, nor to the editor Of
the Democrat. Under these circumstances
1t was thought best to wait Tor the verdict,
aud let the people judge for themselves,
stating Rs nearly as possible what the evil
denae was.
W, S, Stricken, the assistant cashier Of
the bank, was the most important witness,
BE Bwore that the amounts charged by
the prosecution as being embezzled, were
carried by the banks as so much cash, aud
although these amounts were not handled
exactly as some. other debts Of the institu.
ton, they were entered on the books Of
Of the concern in such a way as to denote
no intention Of %conceslment, and to mis-
lead no one connected with the bank,
The prosecution failed to prove any post
tive intent 10 deiraud the bank, but
showed that certain monies were taken
from the institution by the cashier
without proper d%iscounting, although the
act was not in any way concealed. Wilson
had loaned money to himself and brother
on what he, the cashier Of the bank, con-
sidered sufficient and good security, and
although the prosecution may have
proven that this security was far from
satisfactory in q business way, the charge
OF endorsement was not in any manner
established. II appeared to be- a matter
OF bad judgement, and nothing more was
made out 81 1t, At 10 o'clock this morn
ing Commissioner Harry Whiting rem
dered the following written decision;
AN EXACT COPY,
"Ihs United States VS.. William X, p,
WilEon-Emhe2zlemsnt. This Commits
sionsr, slnCs the institution o tthe case, has
appreciated, he believes, to the fullest ex.
tent, the grave responsibility resting upon
him. In its hearing ne has given the
closest attention possible to the evidence
and arguments, and thoroughly and to
the best Of mis- ability studied the au-
thorities cited. Ho has endeavored to
arrive at a Just decision Iaud believes that
the end Of jus ice will be Vest sub
served by holding the defendant, though
in doubt whether such AN intent to in
jure and detraud' has bsen proven as
would lead to an indictment by the grand
Jury. Entertaining this doubt, and for
other reasons that to the Commissioner
seem good and proper, the penalty Of the
defendants bond Ia reduced from $500
to 81, 800. The suretles on the new bond
will be approved by the commissioner,
and until Ii is given, the old one will re-
main In force"
A. ~, WILSON DISCHARGED.
After rendering the above decision in
the case OF W. X. p. Wilson, the commits.
sioner said that he could find no reason or
grounds 10 hold Alb. Wilson, The brother,
who seemed to be held in the complaint
against the cashier as q sort OF accessory,
any longer, and he was excused for fur
ther appearance. There being really moth.
ing criminal shown against W. X. p. Will
son, there could be no possible guieton the
part OF the brother in connection with de.
irauding or attempting to defraud the
bank.
The verdict OF the commissioner does
not meet with the approval Of those who
heard the evidence, but II Is thought that
he e~ndeavored to avoid a~ntsgonizlng
either party to the suit, and made what
might be called a compromise ruling. The
original bond for preliminary appearance
was $500, and alter hearing all OF the
evidence In the case Wilson was bound
over to the district court in o sum but a
little more than one.fourth that amount,
The case Is considered by all who heard
tho testimony to be more Of q persecution
than prosecution, and it Is claimed that no
reasonable jury can find the least evidence
to convict.