St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1892-08-10
PAID BEFORE EARNED.
Republican County Officers Al
ways Drew Salaries in Adj
vance

Republican County Officers AL
ways Drew Salaries in Adj
vance.
The Peterson inquiry before Commits
sloner Brooks was continued yesterday
in the criminal court room of the
county court house. The commissioner,
after carefully reviewing the ques-
ton, announced his purpose to exclude
such testimony as he thought incompe-
tent or immaterial. During the investi-
CATION it was developed that it has been
the custom of certain county officials to
draw their salaries before the said sal
aries were actually earned. 1t was
alleged that Robert Jamison. w
5. Chowan, Judge John 2.
Rea, Judge II. G. Hicks, Frank
F. Davis. Frank M. Nye, Judge Fred
erick Hooker, L. B. Swift, l.. A. Condit
and w. A. James have, while serving
the county in official capacities. drawn
salaries or portions of the same in ad-
vance of services afterward rendered.
The defense yesterday endeavored to
show that eX-TreaSurer Peter
son in anticipating the date his
salary was due, and in drawing the
same, was following all acknowledged
custom. During the early afternoon
the attorneys of Mr.. Peterson were eX-
erciSed over the publication in the noon
edition of the Journal of the proceed
ings of the commission. The attorneys
allege the article referred to was mac
curate, and placed in the hands of the
sheriff papers Of retraction to serve on
the Journal.
n. 0. Werner. cashier of the Swedish
American band, testified his bank was
n lNx- Dnfr
son during and after the year 1891. The
bank paid " per cent interest on coun-
ty deposits. Mr.. Werner stated that
although no contract had been made to
that effect Mr.. Peterson was paid money
above that rate. The books of the bank
substantiated Mr.. Werner's testimony.
City Comptroller Scion Armstrong
stated, on being sworn. he issued war
rants to Peterson that made up the
Sl,27S.30 covered 10y the first charge.
The defense admitted the receipt by
Peterson of that amount up to June II,
1891, and its deposit by him to the credit
of the county fund, but would not adj
init that Peterson had failed to charge
10, 1892. The books of the treasurer
were produced and Il stub receipt shown
for the amount bearing the signature of
Mr.. Peterson and the date, March 10,
1892. Mr.. Reuther the treasurer's
bookkeeper, stated that upon the re-
quest of Peterson he had searched the
books for prior entry, but could not find
one.
County Auditor Ledgerwood. being
sworn, testitiedIhe issued two warrants
in December. 1882, 10 Peterson, for sal
airy. One was for 1852. Sc, and was issued
Dec. 9 as salary for that month. He was
nci md In In, l,,o
defense objected and the objection was
sustained. The defense on cross
examination asked witness if it
were not the custom for county
officials to draw salary in adj
vance. Mr.. Than objected. Judge
Rea said he held in his hand list
showing that county officers, town
officers and judges have been drawing
their salaries in advance for years past,
and that the list contained his own
name. During the inquiry Attorney
Lawrence offered as evidence list OF
names of county officers who are alleged
to have drawn their salaries in advance.
The list was objected to and the Objec
ton sustained.
President Schofield, on being sworn,
testified the Farmers and Merchants
bank paid to MIR. Peterson a number
of ''gratuitOuS contributions" Teey
were in excess of the regular
u per cent rate. Four checks of
the following dates and amounts. issued
by the bank to Mr.. Peterson were pro-
duced as evidence. 1t is alleged they
cover three al the ''gratuitous cOntribu-
tion''-Feb. 8, 1891. S50.91; April 2, 1891,
S155.SS; Juue 3, 1891, S13s.16; June 80,
1891, S175. With the conclusion of the
bankers testimony the state rests its
case.