St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1894-06-08
A CONGRESSMAN WITNESS.
Hon, LOREN FLETCHER WIS ON The
STAND YESTERDAY.
GEORGE A. pILLsBURY, TOO.
These Two Gentlemen are Direc-
tors in the Guaranty Loan
Company and Know Co nsider.
able About Mena2e and
Strccter-Judge Shaw Has His
Say About Scape Goats.

abie About Mena2e and
Strccter-Judge Shaw Has His
Say About Scape Goats.
The court loungers yesterday had the
felicity OF seeing congressman on the
witness stand. Congressman Loren
Fletcher was called to the witness chair
when the Streeter case opened for the
morning session. He is director OF
tie Guaranty Loan company, aud stated
lie was elected in 1888. He was asked
if he remembered meeting that was
held by the board of directors On Dec.
81, 1892. and he replied that he did, but
before the answer was allowed to so Ill
there was lengthy argument, the at
torneyS for the DEFENSE claiming that
inasmuch as the books were not in
court the question was not pertinent.
Mr.. Peterson replied that ii was at this
meeting that the charges against Mr..
Streeter of stealing the money were
discussed. and then Judge Shaw with
considerable bitterness, made a speech,
in which he said:
I'VE have been stigmatiZed by the
SiatC a. oGIEe lCCHUlCdl. w al Z NV W
be deferred by that fact FROM Directing
in this case to what We thlpK is prrjudi-
cial to the interests of our Client and to
his rights. The Guaranty Loan COM
pahy had the S210,0 mentioned in the
indictment. aud the presumption is that
it had the money rightfully.s II is to be
presumed also that the money was
rghttully turned over to the defend
ants. That's the real beginning of this
trial. Now what's the charge? Solely
that these defendants embeZZied this
money and appropriated it to their own
use. How, then. is the consideration of
these minutes relevant? The state pro-
poses TO go into all the acts of MIR.
Strester in the entire history of the
Guaranty Loan company. There is bull
one issue IN the case. Tie directors
were there to examine and investigate
the report of Mr.. Streeter. That was
their business. If they did not do SO
they were responsible. 1t was their
business not 10 take the statement of
Mr.. Stretter.
"Now for the state to bring in all the
directors here. and to saddle the respon-
Sibiliiy or this defendant is not far. 1t
is not right to make him the scapegoat
1t is neither. right, fair. nor according to
law"
Mr.. Nye replied to Judge Shaw. He
stated That it was hackneyed prac-
tice 10 accuse the prosecution OF indict-
ing The wrong man. There was neither
truth nJr reason III such charges. and If,
after full investigation, it were found
that Congressman Fletcher or any other
director was guilty or responsible for
the Wrecking of the company, or having
hand in dissipating amy fortune, no
matter whether large or small, he would
hsa Il pr tad Al tod ff, ft,e,f fall
extent of the law. Judge Russell ruled
that the question referred to was per-
tinent one, and Mr.. Fletcher replied to
1T by stating that at the meeting Mr..
Streeter bad made a verbal report,
showing that the earnings of the COM
| pany had been sufficient to pay a
dividend of per cent and leave
surplus of $4,000.
On Characterization Mr.. Fletcher
was asked by Attorney Lancaster il
Menage owed him personally consider
able sums of money. The answer was:
mo, sir; that is, think GilUt person.
ally. Phi tell you the transactions if you
wish, and you may draw your own III
ferences. The interest of loan in a
piece of property owned by third party
was paid Inc through Mr.. Manages
Office for the Minneapolis Realty com.
pany."
when did you meet Mr.. Streeter?''
II 10 not remember when.'
did you have talk with Mr.. Streeter
about Mr.. Manages financial condition
or that Of the Guaranty Loan company?'
Il don't remember when l first met
Mr.. Streeter. but don't think did,"
The next witness was George A. Pills
| bury, also directo When asked what
Streeter did as member Of the conf
pany, he replisd:
HE had charge of affairs when MIR.
Menage was away"
Did you have any stock in the COM
pany?"
Yes. sir, had $4,000 in stock of the
company which had subscribed and
paid TOT. l also had slo.oc0 in debenture
bonds"
Ibid you have any conversations with
Mr.. Streeter regarding The solidjty of
the business?f
II did, occasionally. He repeatedly
told me that the bonds were as good as
government bonds. l wanted to sell
some Of the stock at one time, and did
sell some through him. He advised me
not to sell any more, as it was as good
as any bank stock in the city,"
"Were you ever asked to pass upon
any loans outside of business meetings
of the directorS?'
mo. SIR"
Mr.. Lancaster then began to cross
examine the witness. The first infor.
nation he ELECTED was that Mr.. Pills.
bury had to pay s1O5 for shares of stock,
for which he subscribed at par
Did you have any social relations
with Mr.. Menage?"
mo, SIR"
"YOu were both members of the First
Baptist church, were you nOt?'
Yes. sir; l believe we were"
did not both of you contribute lib
orally to the erection of that church?'
Il did. L don't know about him. l
believe he contributed to the bell"
Ibid you not solicit subscriptions
from Mr.. Menage for charitable instltu-
tions you were indorsing?"
"NeveI, sir; never. | know he did
subscribe, but not at my solicitation"
Mr.. Fletcher was recalled to the wit
ness stand in the afternoon, and then
he told what he knew of Manages out
side deals. Menage had expected to
make 100000 in one year out of the
West Pullman scheme and fully S1,uOO.-
600 out of the Chicago Dock and Invest
ment company deals. Menage had told
him that after he had cleared up his
Chicago deals he would retire with
81, OOO. 900 OF $4,000 Mr.. Fletcher
also detailed several conversations he
had with Menage about financial mat.
tiers. He knew nothing of Menage's
deals in the West and Texas.
Mr.. Charles Robinson was recalled
and went over old ground, relating Mr..
Streeter's work in the Office. as regards
the hiring of help and instruction to
departments.
MI. Robinson stated that after he had
been acting as superintendent of loans
and assistant secretary in the Guaranty
Loan company tor some time at $500 a
year, he was sent to the vaults to work,
There was no change in his salary, al
though he found little to do in his new
situation.
II thought it very strange that was
sent down in the vaults" SAID MIR.
Robinson, 'as there was enough help
there to run it without me-"
The witness stated thai Mr. Streeter