The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-06-12
NORTON ON THE RACK.
The Commissioner Testifics Before Gen.
cral palmcr-What lie SAYS.


cral palmer-What lie SAYS.
Commissioner p. II. Norton was
called yesterday morning before Gem
eral H. w. Palmer to refute the state
ments made by James M. Norris on
Saturday about the new court house.
The testimony given by Norris was
given while drunk. and Mr.. Norton was
called to explain what he had to do
with Mr.. Myers and the money he got
out of the county treasury. Mr.. Nor
ton testified as follows: l have testi-
fed before in this case. Was called by
the plaintiffs, Heard the evidence given
by James NJ. Norris on Friday, June
7. l never received any money from
Myers or his son or do / know of any
body else receiving any. Never heard
any intimation that Norris or anybody
else had received money until Norris
testified on Friday. Norris has been
chief clerk since I went into Office,
Jan. /, 1894. Was clerk for preceding
board. I was also clerk under that
board. Mr.. Norris has had charge Of
the minute book and papers showing
the proceedings of our board. He has
also taken an active part in the busl-
ness of the office and advised with the
commissioners. Norris did not go with
the commissioners ontheir trip; he went
with me. Our mission then was to see
buildings, to find something to suit our
county. Norris was taken along as an
assistant. In the negotiations between
Norris and Myers, Norris acted as chief
clerk. He had an informal voice in
these matters whenever he was asked.
Mr.. Norris was intoxicated when he
was sworn. He has been on sprees from
time to time, but was retained as chief
clerk. We went for him on several oc-
casions for drinking and he would then
go on another spree. Frequently
warned him.
When sober he was a good clerk.
Never dismissed him before. He Is
away at present, but his resignation Is
noihd on the minutes but is not signed.
He Is not under salary. Don't know
what we will do with him when he re-
turns. So far as 1 know, he is honest
and trustworthy. When in his right
mind l would believe him under oath.
l don't know that he is given to un-
truth when intoxicated. Have no opin-
ion OF that.
Mr.. Norton further said that when
he was examined before, he did not
know for certain whether it was the
first or the second IS, 900 he saw drawn
from the bank. but now recollects it
was the first time. At the bank were
Tom Haines and George Reed, who saw
the money paid in cash. The negotia-
tions to give Myers $4,000 were con-
Quoted in the county commissioner S
private office, before the commission
ers, Mr.. Moore and Mr.. Bedford. The
contract was submitted to Mr.. Moore
and Mr.. Bedford for advice as to terms,
ETC., before 1t was signed. 1t had been
rewritten three or four times before 1t
was signed. There was no estimate of
the cost before the contract was signed,
but the commissioners figured on a
court house to cost s600.O00.
At this point Mr.. Farnham asked:
'Will you build court house now?"
to which Mr.. Norton said: I'VE will If
the people let u.s." Continuing his
testimony, Mr.. Norton said the plans
were not submitted to the court but to
the Judges individually. Mr.. Bedford
instructed Mr.. Myers to cut down the
cost to 5000, Mr.. Norton said that
Mr. Norris Is an unusually competent
clerk when sober, and the examination
closed.