The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1890-08-17

Defense OF these cases, and avoid the delays In
cident TO appeals 70 the supreme court
As the matter now stands, McCoombs stands
sentenced 70 the pententiary for five years, and
his sentence takes immediate effect. Tnis, II
seems to is far better than to pile mp several
convictions 81 large expense TO the county, 70
be followed by appeals 10 the supreme court.
which, in original cases involving fslonrs OPP
crate as stay Of sentence until the appeal IS
disposed OF, and leaving the defendant TO be
kept in the county jail at the expense OF the
county pending these appeals. of course the
result OF an appeal might be fruitless TO the de-
fendaut, and eventually his sentence would
have 70 be carried into effect But in every law
suit new trials are possible, and II reversal
should be obtained some six or ten months
later. by that time the testimony, now fresh.
would be difficult to gather, the public have
lost interest In the prosecution, and the benefit
OF a convection example 70 prevent an
punish crime. would, in large measure. be
lost in this case the prosecution has been
swift and certain, and the results satisfactory,
rs believe. TO the pubic interest in the en-
forcement of the statutes of the state.
Ii as far as the prosecution OF George 8. Turner
was concerned may say that there was no dis
position on the part Of the committee having
special charge OF iiis case to pursue him further
than to get NJ his exact relations to McCoombs,
the principal offender in the transaction. and
the prisoner Turner, having disclosed to the
would have been necessary to secure the con-
yiction OF Mccoombs, but which, as it happened,
was not needed, and which testimony was given
frankly TO the committee and the prosecuting
attorney. those circumstances induced the COM
mittee and the prosecuting officer to recommend
that Turner's sentence his plea of guilty
should be light concurred in this view OF the
matter principally upon the understanding that
Turner was ignorant at the beginning OF the
criminal purpose of McCoombs. and that ne was
the mere hand OF Mccoombs in doing what he
did. and while In a measure he participated in
his guilt, he circumstances are
such as would not warrant
whose life is before him, who Immediately upon
his arrest disclosed fully his relations to the
guilty party aud who did so to the officer under
an implied promise of mercy, II seems to me
that such q person under such circumstances
should not be entirely dismissed without pun
ishment but that he should not be sent TO the
penitentiary; and in that view, upon the state
ment OF the prosecuting attorney the defendant
was sentenced TO six months in the county Jail.
which, in the light of al the circum stances. /
think proper.
have now given to you as full report OF the
disposition of these cases as would seem to be
necessary. and in conclusion would respectfully
refer the committee TO the report of the audit
ing committee, which presume will be really
for Your inspection at one, for any further in
formation concerning the management of this
prosecution and the condition of the business
OF the committee Respectfully SUI mitted.
tSignedl w. d. FENToN.
The account showing receipts anu dis
bursements since May was accepted as
correct
The following report from the auditing
committee was then read:
SEATTLE, wash. June "A. 1890
To Hon. ]. R. Lewis, Chairman of the General
Relief Committee, Seattle, Wash.-Str: Your
committee, appointed to audit the accounts OF
the general relief committee and investigate its
affairs, herewith submit the following report
after careful examination of the books and
papers delivered to us.
We find that there was received by the
General Relief Committee from all
sources, and notincuding duplicate
Disbursed up to April &C. 1880, the dale s'''''-' =
OF our appointment. $1,000 "a
Leaving balance in the Puget Sound
National banks on that date of. s q, S26 Al
This agrees with our fin dings, and. consider
ing the large fund, and the disbursement of
thousands of small sums, with the work done by
several persons. the result is very creditable to
those performing the labors.
On November H. 1882 we find a settlement
was had between Mr.. c. 8. Gleason the secre-
tary and the relief committee with its treasurer,
Governor Ferry, and that the bank accounts
were correct with those OF the committee.
Unfortunately, at that time with an idea of
greater economy, the duties of the secretary and
investigating agent were devolved upon one
person.. p. McCoombs, who had been en-
ployed at the headquarters of the general relief
committee at the Armory immediately after the
IRE, and later at its office as an assistant, and
who had done great deal of the outdoor work
~ nv of
zeal and faithfulness. had worked into the good
graces of the committee.
Taking the records, books and papers for a
basis, we find that, during the earlier months of
your labors. your committee passed favorably
upon each application for relief, and later on,
as the urgency for relief became less, you then
required written applications. giving the name
applicant, number or exact location of resi-
dence. whether infirm or sick, and any other in
formation bearing on the case.
To avoid imposition these written appiica-
lions were referred t. your agentas secretary for
a personal examination, and for him to indorse
thereon his report, and then, after being finally
passed upon by your committee, relief was
granted or refused.
Relief was granted in the following manner:
The secretary was directed by your committee
to issue check or warrant on your treasurer,
or requisition on your own storekeeper, or to
any storekeeper in the city II your own supplies
warrants were almos st Invariably drawn TO the
''order" of the payee, and only exc eptionally
made payable TO bearer" The acquisitions
were likewise issued to the beneficiary and a
system OF identification by means of the bene-
hciary's signature was quite as much OF a sa fe-
guard on the acquisitions as the Endorsement on
the warrants made payable to the order of
the recipient
In fact. it would seem that every possible
safeguard was adopted so that mis- application
OF funds or other relief could not have hap
pened without the committal OF plain, down.
right forgery.
But this was not lacking. Down to the time
OF his appointment as secretary McCoombs had
been given little opportunity for misappropria.
ton of funds. but from that date his acts of
fraud forgery and embezzlement were OF daily
occurrence, and often four or five times day.
His method was to Jorge or cause to be forged,
letters of application. on these letters endorse
his approval, stating that he had personally Wis.
tied the applicants and found them needy and
deserving, and then. after securing an order for
relief for them. he would draw and attest a
cneck as secretary, take it to a member of the
committee for the necessary signature, indorse
on the check the name OF the pretended person
for whom il was made out. and then draw the
money on the same.
Large numbers OF these spurious applications
are still on iile but all. or nearly all of them
prior 10 April, are missing. In February there
were ninety nine cases of relief aggregatiny
$2,0i4.15, and there on nle only nine reports
from McCoomos. In March there were ninety.
eight cases of relief, aggregating $a.Ias So with
only two reports from McCoombs. George s
Turner, in his confession TO a member OF this
committee. stated that he had manufactured at
least fifty applications during Marcn, and as
there are iso applications missing for FEBRUARY
and March, the presumption is that McCoombs
destroyed all OF them that he could after his