Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-09-19
MORE BANKERS HEARD
By the Committee Engaged in Prob
ing the State Treasury.
NO BRIBES FOR STATE DEPOSITS.
A Plan Reported for the Regulation of the
State Exchequer.
MCAMANT TO TESTIFY AGAIN TO-DAY
ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DIsPkTCH.l ]

read telegram from Treasurer Boyer, il
which the latter stated that he could moi
possibly reach the city until Sunday, and
that he was now on his way here.
Colonel w. w. Jennings, President Of
the First National Bank and Commonwealth
Safe Deposit Company of this city, was the
first witness examined. In his testimony
he said that in the First National Bank
there was 100000, and in the Trust Com
panv some 100000 of the State deposits;
the Trust Company is one of the active
banks of the State; the amount on deposit
there varies greatly, as it is always subject
to the check of the Treasurer. No benefit
of any kind had been offered or given in or
der to gain the State deposits. Money had
been at times (though without the knowl-
edge probably of the State Treasurer) paid
as campaign assessments to the Repub-
lican County, City and State Committees.
Colonel Jennings said he had always
| given individual subscriptions to these COM
mittees, even before he became connected
with any bank 1t was barely possible that
he gave the money of late years partly be-
cause his banks held State money.
However, no one had ever approached him
on this subject; he had given it voluntarily,
and so had the other bank officials.
A BUN bOtEh
He was one of the bondsmen of Treasurer
Boyer. He had given his personal note to
make good his proportion of the loss sus-
tanned by the State in consequence of the
Delamatet and Jamison failures. No one
offered to refund him for so doing. He did
not see why he should tell whether or not
he expected to be reimbursed finally. No
offer had been made to him On this subject
at all. Being pressed further he said that
he did not imagine the amount would be an
eventual loss to him.
w. C. Bomberger, of the Mechanics
Bank, was next sworn. The bank is an in
dividual one. Everything which he owns
is liable for the debts of the bank. Between
$500, 900 and S40O, 600 of the State funds is
now on deposit. There was only one time,
of six months duration, for many years when
this bank has not held State funds. There
is now surplus fund of $15O,OO0. No offer
or inducement had been made by him to
secure State deposits.
CLIPPED IN LITERALLY.
Gas an individual" he said, sI have for
81 years made political campaign contribu-
tions. These have been given both to the
Independent and Republican committees. 1
have also aided the Democrats in getting up
parades and demonstrations. have not
been in the least influenced in making Re
publican campaign contribution by the fact
that my bank held State money. Mr..
Boyer carefully examined the condition of
my bank before putting any money into it.
Once Mr.. Boyer came to me and said; I
am getting in large amount of money; I'll
give you deposit, but must check it out,
very soon.' 1 declined to take it, and re-
quested him to place it elsewhere I never
had any barnain concerning the deposits.
t. r. L.
said that he rather expected deposit when
he went on Mr.. Boyer's bond, but not
single word was exchanged on this subject.
There was considerable discussion with
regard to the present financial methods used
by the State. Mr.. Bomberger seemed to be |
of the opinion that the present system was
very fair one, and explained in extenso |
the drawbacks of the methods proposed by |
Messrs. Fow and Monaghan. He thought |
that it would be wrong for the Pittsburg |
and Philadelphia banks to hold all of the |
States money, inasmuch as taxes were paid ]
by the entire Commonwealth.
NO BRIBERY IN HIS CASE.
DR.. Riley, President of the Harrisburg |
National Bank, being sworn, said that his |
bank held State funds; capital stock, $780, |
600; surplus, 100000. State money had |
been placed there without any solicitation |
on his part. No kind of inducement had /
been offered by him in return for this de-
posit There was no bribe connected with
the matter in any way. He said he certainly
had not contributed to the Republican cam.
paign fund in return for the use of State
inasmuch as he CHANGED to be a
Democrat.
Chairman Smith presented a detailed
report prepared, by special request of the
committee, by President Bell, of the
Farmers and Mechanics Bank The re-
port was read by Mr.. Stewart, and then
ordered to be incorporated in the minutes.
1t elected considerable comment and
seemed to be favorably regarded. Its
recommendations were that the
salary of the State Treasurer should be
$4,000 and no fees; his bonds, 81, ,0OO, 900,
to be given by some reliable trust COM
pany, and the cost of filing it to be met by
the State.
TO HEAR AN EXPERT.
1t was decided that B. NJ Mead, who dur
ing Governor Psttison's former administra-
ton prepared careful and elaborate plan
for the use and general distribution of State
funds, should be requested to appear before
the committee and give his ideas on the SUBJ
iect. His report of former years was not
adopted by the Legislature, and the COM
hlteCC lS ucslIouS VI sSclLS IL IL cannot now
be utilized
The Sergeant-at-Arms was instructed to
wire District Attorney Graham, of Philadel-
phia, to either appear or send some repre-
sentative. Christian Myers of the Auditor
Generals Office was subpenaed to appear
and bring the corporation books and the
records of the Register of Wills.
There was very little done at the a ter
noon session of the committee, owing to the
fact that County Clerk Myers was out of
he city and could not be called upon. Rep
'esentative Fow stated, however, that he
lad made an examination of the books of
he Auditor General, and had found that
Register Gratz, Of philadelphia, had paid
% the Auditor General since MAY, 1889,
,ver 81, 800, 900 collateral inheritance taxes
he commission on which would amount to
'ver 500, 900.
After some little talk, the commission adj
ourned until 10 o'clock tomorrow, when
Auditor General McCamant is to be exam
ned.