Los Angeles herald., 1892-09-15
HUTCHINsON'S PURSE.
THE STREET sUPERINTENDENT
SAYS 1T WAS A GIFT.
Mr. Hutchinson Explains the Matter to
. "Herald" Reporter-The Law on
the Matter-What Has Been
Done in San Diego.

Now that the grand jury is organized
and ready for business there are many,
many things that it will be called upon
to look into and report upon. 1t is to
be hoped that it will differ from come
of the grand juries that have been held
in this county in the past. Whitewash-
ing is not what is wanted, and already
there is we'll founded belief that this
grand jury was not drawn exactly ac-
cording to law. Several mistakes have
been made, and these errors may yet
prove an expensive thing for the tax
psyers of this county. After many
drawings, and great deal of peculiar
and extraordinary endeavor, Jury of
10 men has been secured. There are
many good men on the jury, and the
people will watch what they do with a
great deal of interest.
One of the matters that it is under
stood this grand jury will be called on
to investigate, is come OF the stories
that have been circulated against Street
Superintendent E. H. Hutchinson. II
has been asserted that the street super.
intendent received and accepted money
from his deputies to defray the expenses
of his election, and to also pay for the
expense of the contest which A. Nc
Nally. the Democratic candidate, made
after the election.
The law of California very distinctly
states that no official shall assess or levy
contributions upon his deputies for any
purpose whatever. For this offense sew
eral officers in San Diego have been in
| dcted.
Street Superintendent Hutchinson
was seen yesterday afternoon in hi
Office and asked about the matter.
"Mr. Hutchinson" said the reporter
sit has been asserted upon the street
that you assessed your deputies to as
sist you in defraying the expenses o
your campaign, and also the expense o
the McNally contest. Is it true?"
cit is not, sir. 1 have never assesse,
my deputies for any purpose whatever,
was the reply.
"You then deny ever having receive
money from your deputies ?"
"Oh, no. The boys got together an
raised nice little purse and presente
it to me. never asked for it, though.
"How much money did they raise t
help you out ?"
1T was considerable sum, severs
hundred dollars"
This was all that Mr.. Hutchinson ha
to cay in regard to the matter.
The grand jury of San Diego count
indicted w. M. Gassaway, the count
clerk, for taking money from his depu
ties to reimburse him for money he ha
spent in making his canvass. Tha
official, IN his defense, allege
that the money he receive
from his deputies was merel
present to him, and that he had no
asked for it. The prosecution the
claimed that the understanding anon
the deputies was that if they wanted t
hold their positions that they had bette
contribute to the fund that was bein
raised to reimburse their chief for hi
election expenses. The case is sti
pending in the San Diego superior cour
Should this case of Mr.. Hutchinson +
presented to the grand jury, one of IL
principal witnesses would be George
Arnold, who is also on the grand jury
Mr.. Arnold, it should be said, though
asked Judge Smith to excuse him frol
grand jury service, but the judge We
very anxious that he should be ther
and declined to do so.