Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1888-12-25

had little holes punched in them. These holes
they informed me, were cancellation marks.
These coupons had from one to six holes
punched in them, and to one who did not I'M
derstand their cabalistic character indicated
nothing, or If they indicated payment at all it
1t was just as good an indication that they had
been paid six times, as that they had been paid
once. Mr.. Mckee says that he punched two
holes in each coupon, and punched them in
certain relative position to the numbers on the
coupons, so that if coupon was presented to
him a second time he would know in an instant
that it had already been paid. But outsiders
would not understand anything about this l
will say, however, that never saw ole of these
holes in the coupons until they were pointed out
to me to-day. The coupons are pasted over
white paper, and they are hardly perceptible.
had to take the book to strong light before
could see tie holes, even after they were pointed
out.
AS for the coupons of 1861, which are the ones
missing the coupon book shown to me 10 day
indicated they never had been punched until
comparatively late date. The only punch which
saw in them appeared to be star punch which
seemed TO have been made by punch now in
the possession of Mr.. Mckee. l understood Mr..
Mckee Though, possibly, may not have right
ly understood him) that he had the star punch
made and used it until recently, when he had
new one made of different pattern. l under
stood Mr.. Porter to say Hickman had this star
punch made when he was FASTING coupons.
Anyway, this punch has been made long since
1861. As this is the only punch used on the
1861 coupons, II is conclusive they were not
stdlHptu AT l1aI time. 1ley were PAID 1901,
and strongly indicating that they were again
paid at a much later date.
have been told that l had, in my interview
with your reporter, cast suspicion OF dishonesty
on all IreasureTs and city officials from 1860 10
the present day. Not only had insinuated that
the coupons OF 1861 had been dishonesty with
drawn from their proper custody, but that there
had been petty thleyery going on ever since. In
regard TO the coupons OF 1861, claim that by
some means they are in wrong hands And
this city is in danger of having TO pay them
again.
In regard to the odd coupons that have been
paid from time to time from 1860 to the present
day that do not appear in the coupon book,
stated distinctly that l thought they had been
lost by careless handling by the different Treas
urers. And might have added by the careless
handling of the Auditors, Mr.. Hickman and
others, through whose hands these coupons
have passed. But had no suspicion any single
one of these coupons had ever been purposely
distracted or would ever again be presented for
payment. And | will say now that all my ex-
animation into this matter oonvinces me that
there has been no crookedness, either in the
payment or preservation of coupons since the
disappearance of the 81 coupons. But the man.
ner OF cancelling and keeping accounts has been
very loose and unsatisfactory. And am strongly
OF the opinion that the S13.392 of 81 coupons
now pasted in the coupon book have been twice
paid; but of this the evidence Is not conclusive.
II they have been paid twice l believe it was an
innocent blunder on the part of the Treasurers
who paid them. H. o. BEATTY.