The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1893-03-02
HART INVESTIGATION.
ANOTHER FUTILE EFFORT TO UN-
EARTH SOMETHING,
The Attorney General Did Not Borrow
From the San Francisco
Law Firm.

A number of spectators, curiosly in
clined, and evidently with plenty of
spare time upon their hands which was
badly in need of being killed, assembled
in Supreme Court Room No. l at .
O'Clock P. NJ, yesterday to listen to any
further evidence that might be wrung
from witnesses by the attorney for the
Assembly committee which met to pro-
coed in its investigation into the charges
preferred against Attorney-General
Hart.
Attorney Frank NJ. Stone, counsel for
General Hart, appeared at the head of the
table, apparently puzzled as what course
the investigation would next take, while
Mr.. Devlin, attorney for the committee,
smiled his broadest smile to the best pos
sible advantage.
The members of the committee punched
themselves, and talked over the county
division bills before proceeding to bust
ness, while waiting for the appearance of
Assemblyman Simpson, who was tardy
for once in his career as a legislator. He
appeared later on, however. and the COM
nittee was called to order.
General Hart was in his Office, but did
not appear during the meeting.
l.. NJ. Heofier, chief clerk of the firm of
CARRIER, Bolt IL Bishop of san Francisco,
was sworn, and after the usual prelim-
mary questions, Mr.. Devlin said:
1.-The committee desires to know, Mr..
Heoher, whether to your knowledge Gen
eral Hart has, within the past two months,
negotiated a loan from the firm you
represent. for the purpose of replacing
the money collected after the settlement
of the Harbor Commission cases."
II am in charge of the bank account
cash books, and check, books of the firm"
replied Mr.. Heotler, land am positive
that no money was advanced to General
Hart for the purpose named or any
other.n
''Might not Mr.. Bishop have drawn the
money for General Hart without your
knowing of it ?" inquired Attorney Dew
lin.
"That would be impossible, as the
amount so drawn, if it belonged to the
firm, would have to be entered upon the
cash books which are in my charge. Any
check drawn by Mr.. Bishop would have
to take the regular course" replied the
witness.
DO you attend to the personal affairs
of Mr.. Bishop" inquired Mr.. Devlin.
Yes; for the past six or seven weeks
I have signed every check issued by the
firm, and am positive that Mr.. Hart or
replied the witness.
"What is Mr.. Bishops condition." in
quired Chairman Mathews.
He is improving slowly" was the re-
ply;
"Where does he live?"
SAT 2309 Washington street, San Fran
CISCO"
THAT is all Mr.. Heofier," said Mr.
Devlin suavely,, and no one who watched
him would haVeimagined that the second
fuse to his bomb" had fixed and gone
one.
The witness started for the San Fran
| cisco train at lively gait, and Mr.. Stone
claimed the attention of the committee.
He said he had caused the dockets o
every Attorney back to 1850 to be
examined, and that absolutely no entry
had been made or record kept of the
Harbor Commission cases, from which it
was inferred that they had been in the
hands of private attorneys. There was
no entry upon any Attorney GENERALS
docket whatever, except that made by
General Hart showing that the suits had
been compromised and closed. He stated.
however, that full history of the cases
was contained in the County Clerk
record at San Francisco.
Are there any books kept to show the
receipts or disbursements of money in
the Attorney-GeneraPs Officer incurred
Mr.. Devlin.
There is not, and never have BEEN"
replied Mr.. Stone.
Committeeman Kahn wanted to know
whether General Hart had ever received
| vouchers or receipts from attorneys and