National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-05-05
THE FALSE ENTRY CASES.
Trial OF Messrs. HItz and Prentiss-A
Witness who Would Not Swear.

witness Who would Not Swear.
The criminal court yesterday continued
the trial Of Mr.. John Hitz and DR.. Charles
f. Prentlss, charged with making false en-
tries In the books OF the German-Amerlcan
National Bank with view to deceive the
bond examiner as 10 the financial condition
Of that institution.
Judge Jere Wilson opened the case for
the defendants, and. after reviewing the
case as presented by the prosecution, prom
ised to present to the jury an array Of facts
which would completely exonerate the de.
fendants from the charge made against
them. Further IL would be shown that at
the time the alleged offenses were said TO
have been committed Mr.. Hitz was In Eu-
rope, and did not return TO this country
until after the date of the last crime
charged In the indictments. Mr.. Perry be-
gan putting his case before the Jury by
showing that tho German-Amerioan Ma
tlonal Bank OF this city and Importers aud
Traders Bank Of New York were duly au-
thorlzed 10 do banking business; that the
Importers and Traders Bank was the duly
accredited agent Of the German-Amerlcan
Bank in New York city, and that the latter,
under the statute and on the percentage Of
Its stock, must keep with It's accredited
agent in New York city sum in excess OF
$4,000. From this point the prosecution
brnnched out into deeper water and pre-
sented testimony to support It's theory
that In March, 1873, the German American
Bank, instead of having some $4,000 in
New York, only had about $500. Mr.. Perry
introduced demand note for $4,000,
signed by all the directors Of the German
American Bank excepting one, which was
forwarded TO the Importers aud Traders
Bank for discount and to be placed TO the
credit OF the German American National
Bank, to stand as Its required surplus with
its accredited agent. The Importers aud
Traders Bank declined, at that time, TO ac-
cept the paper, and the reports Of the bank
to the comptroller OF the currency were
introduced to prove that, while the sum
was not actually TO the credit Of the bank
In New York, IL was embraced In the
schedule OF credits submitted In the report
made to the comptroller. The blotter
OF the teller Of tho German American
National Bank was presented TO show the
entry of the $4,000 on March |, 1873, In
the books of the bank as debit, also
second entry, showing the return OF the
New York note on Oct. 90, 1888, and credit
given IL.
II. T.. Bergemann, formerly clerk In the
bank In this city, was called to the stand,
and expressed a preference to affirm rather
than be sworn. Inquiry was made as to his
religious belief.
"Have you any beliefS" asked Mr..
wilson.
~ believe there is a God," said the wit
nees, "but do not believe the Bible is the
word OF God"
"Do you believe in future rewards and
punishments 2"
al have never given the matter any
| thought
"Do you believe in pains and penalties Of
| perjury ~
az have not thought about It,"
"Ycu might as well, your honor" said
Mr.. Chandler, ''swear him on the bank
ledger. II would be about as binding,n
"What do you believe, anyhow" asked
/ MIR. Wilson.
81 believe that God is nature, and ma,
ture God,n answered the witness.
The witness then, by the direction OF the
court, retired from the stand, and another
was called, who traced the $4,000 note
through the books Of the bank down to DC
tober, 1873, when credit was given for 1T
| payment.
Mr.. Edward Townsend, cashier of tn,
Importers and Traders National Bank o.
New York, carried with him to the stand
the ledger of his bank containing the &C
count of the transactions with the German
! American Bank betwe en- February and No
vember, 1873, for the purpose Of showing
that no entry appeared thereon in regard L
the $4,000; but there being resistance Il
the admission of the testimony, the cour
adjourned before decision was reached.