Morning journal and courier., 1892-03-15
NEWS BY TELEGRAPH. From All Quarters. NINETEEN INDICTMENTS. Decision in the Maverick Bank Trial. \ LETTER FROM MR. CLEVELAND. His Position in the Coming
 Campaign. WORK OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE. The POstOffice Building Bill
 Passed.
1 WORK OF THE HOUSE AND SENATE.
THE MAVERICK HANK CASES.

THE MAVERICK BANK CASES. Indictments Reported by the Federal
 Grand Jary-Nearly n Fortnight Oc-
 -cupfed In the WOrk-Ihe Names oi
 the Persons Ind cted-A Discu.sion n
 on the Matter of Bail 1t is Finally
 Fixed at Five Thousand Dollars for
 Each Indictment.
 BOSTON, March 14.-The federal grand jury, this afternoon between and 6 o'clock, reported the indictments in the Maverick bank cases. The persons indict- ed are Asa P. Potter, former president of the bank; Colonel Jonas H. French and Thomas Dana, directors. The finding of these indictments is not the least impor- tant work of grand jury. which had previously indicted the proprietors of the Louisiana state lottery and the officers of the whisky trust. Nearly fortnight was given to the actual consideration of the Maverick bank cases alone. Bank Examiner Ewer, Re- ceiver Thomas P. Besl, the surviving part ners of the firm of Irving A. Evans & Co. |, and many other witnesses were called and testified. The only evidence that the gov ernment Pought and wanted to get at was whether papers of interest are locked in ex-President Potter's leather covered trunk. The lock of this treasury has not been turned. When the grand jury completed its work the labors of District Attorney Allen and his assistants began. Nearly a week was given to the drawing of these with other indictments and their work was prolonged far into the night. At 4:30 o'clock the lawyers and others in- terested in the case began to gather in the corridors of the federal building. Among them were Colonel Jonas H. French, Asa P. Potter and their counsel, MT. Howe, Melville O. Adams, John Stetson, A. A. Strout and others. The throng grew larger as the shadows deepened. Judge Nelson, who had waited for the report of the jury, strolled from his chambers to the hall and back again at intervals to break the monot- ony. At last the grand jury filed from their room and proceeded to the United made. .
 THE INDICTNENTs.
 The indictments returned number nine- teen in all, nine being found against Pot ter, six against French and five against Dana. Many of the indictments contain three and four counts and charge defend ants with making false reports of the con- dition of the bank to the comptroller of the currency, knowing the same to be false; with misapplying the funds of the bank by allowing the firm of Irving A. Evans & Go. to overdraw it's account. Qhis indictment specifies about fifty checks on which Evans & Go. were allowed to draw out from $1, 800 to $7,500 each; charge French with having, as director, taken into his possession S200, 900 of the banks funds and embedded the same, and of misapplying $3, 500 more by procuring the discount of 8 note for that amount signed by Fred G. Jewett; charge Potter with procuring funds by causing 8 note signed by minor to be credited to his own account in the bank; charge Potter, as president, with embedding the sum of $7,500; charge Dana, as director, with emb+z +zzling s200 900 from the banks funds and with raising money by having fictitious notes discounted. The various counts are carefully drawn and enter minutely into the alleged criminal transactions of the in- dicted officials. Each defendant is indict- ed separately for making false entries in the report to the comptroller, and other indictments are drawn in which defend ants are indicted jointly for this offence.
 After the indictments were announced there was long discussion between Dis trict Attorney Allen and counsel for de- fendant as to the matter of bail, which was finally settled by Judge Nelson ad- hitting them to bail in the sum of $5,000 on each indictment, which amount was promptly furnished, Messrs. John Stetson and H. M. Whitney becoming their bonds men.
 When the indictments had been read District Attorney Allen announced that Mir. Dsna's would-be defaulted, although 1t was not wilful default, and that he would appear to morrow and give bail. The default was then declared. A discus sion followed on the matter of bail, the court stating that $5,000 on each indict- ment seemed to him sufficient. District Attorney Allen strongly protested against this small amount and had quite an argu- ment with the court. MT. Allen was very persistent and was cautioned to be more respectful to the court. MT. Allen replied, "I shall endeavor, sir, to represent the government in this or any other court, | as is my duty" to which Judge Nelson re- | sponded: 'I don't know as you will if ! this is specimen of the way you conduct | as to the manner in which you address the court. MT. Clark, ths bail is fixed on each indictment in the stun of 5000"
 Henry M. Whitney was accepted as SC
 curity for MT. Potter and John Stetsor l for Colonel French.
 | While the defendants were giving theil
 bail it was discovered that only five in dictments against French could be found
 and careful search failed to bring thu
 missing document to light. The clerl
 said he had not had it, and MT. Allen wa positive that it had been turned in
 Judge Nelson was not inclined to keep tn
 court in session longer, and deeming 1
 certain that the missing document had no
 been reported, ordered the crier to adjourn
 the court.