Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-03-12
VERDICT OF NOT GUILTY.
James c. West Acquitted Of a Charge
of Embezzlement.

In the Criminal Court, Chief Justice Bing
ham, this morning James C. West, a young
| man. was placed on trial for the embezzlemen
Of Sl3 from the National Union in October
last-Mr. Charles A. Walter for the defendant
John P. Anderson, secretary Of the Union. tes-
tilted that the accounts of West did not show
returns OF payments from Mrs. Sarah F. Davis
and that when his attention was called TO the
receipts of Mrs. Davis he acknowledged the
| shortage. Mr.. Anderson stated that the Ma
tional Union benefit association was branch OF
the National Union, which was Incorporated.
Mrs. Davis, colored woman, testified to
making the payment
Edward Webster, president of the National
union, identified the certificate of incorpora-
| ton and testified that West was employed by
the association. He explained that the Union
issued maturity certificates originally and the
benefit association was a branch OF the Union
Counsel for defense made the point that the
defendant was not in the employ OF the National
Union, and il was admitted that there was no
such association as the benefit association.
Mr.. Walter claimed that there was no au-
thority to organize the benefit society, and
reading from the seal National Union Benefit
Association incorporated under act of Congress,
1885" said that it was Misrepresentation and
fraud on the public.
The court, after acareful scrutiny of the GER
titcates and the Indictment, said that the ill.,
corporation was under the general act and re-
viewed the averments of the indictment. ask
ing: IL he was employed by the National Union
and the money was collected as the funds of
the union, can he set up the defence that part
OF the business is in excess of the authority?
The court therefore oyerruled that point
THE DEFENDANT DENIES.
The defendant took the stand and denied
that he had been in the employ of the National
Union, but insisted that it was the benefit
r.
he was an agent or solicitor and for some time
a superintendent, and in the latter capacity
he took charge of the Chicago Office, which he
closed up, and also the Office at Wheeling He
insisted that in a settlement between him and
the company the balance would be in his favor
Tor services as manager or superintendent
On cross-examination he said that he had
published papers in Waynesboro', Pa; that he
had run for the Office of county clerk as
democrat and, though the county
was republican, he was defeated by but sixty
votes. The National Union Maturity associa-
ton was great fraud in his opinion. but the
benefit association, he thought, was a good one
He had collected about S160, which he failed
to pay over and thought there was due him
about 600, and claimed that this was done
with the consent of Anderson.
F. J. White testified that he was Vests
counsel, and as such had advised him to retain
the money and charge it against himself.
Jas. Z. Horton. Of the beneficial company
testified that if West was q superintendent of
agents he was worth S25 per week.
W. j. Armstrong testified that the reputation
Of Anderson was that Of a swindler.
In rebuttal Anderson denied the statements
of West.
Mr. Lipscomb said that the defendant swears
that he used the money to pay himself, believ-
ing that he had right TO do SO, and there was
30 much doubt he would not ask a verdict.
VERDICT OF NOT GUILTY.
Thu conrt then explained the case IN the
jury and verdict of not guilty was returned