The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-09-25
iROSSEST NEGLECT OF DUTY.
Continued from page 4.

rants which have not been paid to the
treasurer. Ono dated February 6, 1891,
for Sass 80, and one of October, 1890. for
Sl,3S1.11. There was ono warrant for
offsets amounting to 81 ,065.
81 do not know what those offsets
were for. The warrant came properly
signed by the mayor, and it was cred
tied on one of his pay-in warrants
found Mr.. Morris shortage when 1
checked up my books in Juno. Mr..
Morris did not come to me to find out
what he owed the city. Yes, tho fines
have all been paid in since january
They are not paid monthly always.
The mayor pays 5000 sometimes, and
short while ago he paid over $4,000 at
one time.
II do not think warrants wore issued
to thes mayor by the auditor. He did
not bring any when he paid over the
money. The auditor, however, got the
amounts on his books. A few days ago
Mayor Evans procured pay-in war
rant from the auditor for all the fines
he had paid to NO."
Mr.. Eckloff: "When you found the
deficit, did you report?"
Il reported it to Mayor Evans in
June. l had no way to ascertain that
mont of money. I mentioned tho mat
ter to Mr.. Morris, and he told me that
he had some Offsets. He brought these
in in July"
MIR. MORRIS MAKES A STATEMENT.
timony, the committee consulted for
few minutes and asked Chief Morris to
take tho. sstand and detail tho usual
custom of collecting and paying over
monies on account of fines Mr.. Morris
said:
"Undor Mayor Carr's administration
he always gave me an order for a pay
in warrant, which l carried to tho
treasurer All of them were for fines
collected"
Here Mr.. Miller consulted with Com
monwealth's Attorney Smith for min
ute, and returning to his scat told Mr..
Morris he could make q statement if he
desired.
Mr.. Cooke, as counsel for Mr.. Morris,
explained for his client that Mr.. Morris
had become indebted to tho city from
carelessness in keeping accounts, and
that he did not know or realize that he
was SO far behind. AS soon as he knew
1t he took steps to secure the city, but
had failed.
Mr.. Miller objected to Mr. Cooke
making the statement they wanted to
get from Mr.. Morris, and that gentle
man sat down.
Mr.. Morris was first questioned about
the pistols which were alleged to have
been missing, and explained that all he
knows of were taken to the auction by
him to be sold. Those given out to the
officers were on instructions by the
mayor What became of the proceeds
of those sold he did not know. AS to
the question of the misrepresentation OF
fines, he said:
namo. i ovcrchcckcd, and did not know
was using the citys money till was
informed at the bank that had over
checked. thought all along that my
Offsets wore sufficient to balance"
"What did the Offsets consist of?'
GA detective from Richmond cost $24O,
and then there was witness fees and
tickets for sending paupers out of the
city, besides other incidentals made
an itemized statement, which was APP
proved by the mayor. The detective
was Goodall, who worked up the bar
room cases last year.
AS to the money taken from Ross
body, paid it out. 1t went like the
other. l checked it out of tho bank.
took it as an officer of tho city
''As to Arrington's money l have that
and can turn it over at any time. was
holding itas evidence in an important
case. 1t is custom to do so.
''The total amount of my shortage is
about $4,000. l confessed judgment
for only Si,750.
81 never gave an official bond. Of
fered to do so when l was last elected,
but the clerk of the board told me that
when it was wanted 1 should be called
upon.
81 did not make deposits every day I
used the money collected for different
purposes; sometimes for city expenses
and again for private purposes. have
carried the collections of fines for q
week or ten days without making u de-
post.
mo; haven't my bank book with
me, but can bring it some other time"
Mr.. Morris did not aim to conceal
anything. While tho central figure in
the transaction, he told the whole story
with even composure.
Councilman NJ. c. Thomas, took tho
stand as tho last witness examined.
His testimony was corroborative OF the
fact that at the time he went out of
Office in 1890, tho chief of police was
dirclict on the Juno and July warrants
to the extent OF several hundred dol
lars. He, however, paid in these
amounts promptly on notification.
Last June he learned Of tho deficit and
at once notified the mayor.
Tho loose system of accounts had led
him to introduce in Councils an ord-
nance compelling the auditor to furnish
to the treasurer monthly list of paid:
in warrants. This ordinance was
adopted. The auditor generally checked
up the treasurers Office once year,
sometimes twice year.
The special committee then adjourned
until this evening at 1870 o'clock.
AZ ,rII