The Washington times. (Washington, D.C.) 1894-1895, 1895-06-11
Charge Is Forgery and falsifica-
tiOn Of Accounts.
HIS DAUGHTER By HIS SIDE
Government Claims the Prisoner Made
Ont False Account for Four
Thousand Dollars to Secure Stock
In the American Union Telegraph
Company-Two witnesses Testify.


The second trial of Capt, Henry w.
Howgste- formerly dsbursing officer of
the sfs FfHi sseryice, for defrauding the
government in 1879, was begun before
Judge -MeComas yesterday jury was
obtained and two witnesses heard
The Indictments upon which he is tried
are for forgery and for Justification
OF accounts in connection with voucher
for S4s56b in favor OF the American Union
Telegraph Company.
Capt. Howgate was accompanied by his
daughter Miss Ida. He is considerably
changed in appearance by the removal OF
his beard, and is in excellent health and
spirits
District Attorney Birney and his special
assistant, W NJ. levin, appeared for the
government, and Messrs. Worhington and
Hcaid for The defense Before The close
OF the day Judge Jerc Wilson, associate
counsel for Capt. IL owgate, also came
in.
MR.. BIRNEY'S CRUCIAL QUESTION.
In questioning the jury Mr. Bjrneytasked
each venreman whcther the long time
since the commission of the alleged crime
would prevent his bringing in a verdict
OF guilty.
Counsel for the defense objected. but
JudgeMcconlas ruled the question admis-
sible in nOdified form.
The jury as worn is as follows: George
T. Newtua. 4 builder or AHacostia: 5. X.
Stratton. agent Joseph II. Covington,
blacksmith; John T. Powers, LIQUOR dealer;
william p Grpye, Claim gent: Thomas
a Chandler. cigar dealer; Robert H.
Hunter. lahurer Charles " Rabbit, pro-
duce dealer; Thomas BinniA, tinsmith;
w ]. Power, grocer; \. b. Bouvre,
painter. aud George Wick, grocer.
Mr.. Birney said the government would
show that Capt. Howgate, wishing TO Sc
cure stock ia the American Union Tele-
grahp Company, made Ogt false account
for The transmission Of certain MESA ges
10 the value OF $4,000 aud committed
| forgery in doing 50. There was no
Americaa Union line in existence aU the
time.
mr. worthington, for tie defense stated
that they would show that il was a
bona f.dG account made out for purchase
of American Union stock IN the interest
Of the government in order to build up
competition apainst The Western Union.
TESTIAONY TO PROVE THIS.
Pres dent Bates, of the American Union,
would be called to the stand to prove this.
The statute OF Imitation would also be
urged in defense.
A number OF papers were Put in evil
dence showing Capt. Howgate's official
position ard responsibility.
Capt RoDert Craig the first witness,
had been associated with Capt HowGate
when disbursfre9 officer, and succeeded
! him in the position. He explained how
! the accounts we're kept, AID identified
| Capt. Howg ate's signature to certain
papers put in evidence.
! Rufus Hatch. a Treasury clerk, next
| called, was in charge OF tie Signal SerV-
! ice accounts IN 1879 and 1880. He iden-
| titled the papers exam ned by Capt Craig
ard saw tbey had passed through his hands
| also, ard the Signatures were in his opin-
! ian geiAine lie told of the loss OF the
/ original youeacT in 1898, ard the search
| to recover Il.
| The case continues to-day