Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-03-17
lie Tells of His Examinations of
the Books and Papers of the Gas
Works-Ex-Foreman Walsh Cross
Examined.
Examined.

time.
Court convened about II o'clock yester-
day morning. with Mr.. Thomas ]. Walsh,
the ex-foreman of the Lower gas-works
still on the stand Mr.. Carter took up
his cross examination. The witness
stated that his cart hauled for the works
for about four years. and that he did not
know If Mr.. Grimes had a cart there
about that time He said he was not
aware that II was contrary to the law
for employees Of the city TO make con-
tracts with the city. The contract for
hauling shells was made in the name
OF Mr. Montgomery. and he got 80 cents
for each load. Witness said that Mr.
Adams ordered him to make out the bills
in Mr.. Montgomery's name, because Mr.
Montgomery made the contract, and his
cart did the hauling at 90 cents a load.
"To whom did you look for your pay?'
asked Mr.. Carter.
Mr.. Montgomery"
Mr. Meredith objected to this, claiming
that it had nothing to do with the matter
Judge Minor overruled the objection.
Mr.. Montgomery said he settled with
Mr.. Adams once a week. but no receipt
was ever given for the money. no memo
Tandum was made.
How did you settle with Mr.. Adams?'
asked Mr.. Carter
THE STATEMENTS GONE.
Il gave him a statement, with the
amount Of money"
What became Of those statements?"
"I do not know"
WAS any cash-book kept"'
NO. sir"
you couldn't tell. by memory, what
was paid?'
mo, sir"
Il settled by tickets in the box. and
not from the stubs replied Mr.. Walsh
TO q question.
After some further Interrogation, Mr..
Walsh stood aside and Mr.. w. j. Gentry
formerly Clerk OF the Committee on
Light. was called TO the witness-stand
He said he was Clerk OF that committee
when Mr. Adams was first elected Super
intendent Of the works. He kept the re-
cord Of the meetings. and stated that
Mr.. Adams made monthly report to the
committee.
The original drafts were submitted, and
Mr. Gentry presumed they were in Mr..
Adamss handwriting, although he was
not very familiar with 1t.
Mr. Joseph NJ Shelton, who succeeded
Mr.. Gentry as Clerk. was next sworn.
He went into office in September, 1886
lie testified that the papers introduced
by Mr.. Meredith were the reports made
by Mr.. Adams to the Committee on
Light at the time he was Clerk Of that
committee.
"Mr. Shelton, was not Mr.. Stokes a
member of the City Council during this
timer" asked Mr. Meredith.
Il don't know that he was" answered
the witness.
well, / guess Mr.. Stokes will admit
that he was" said Mr. Meredith.
ooh. yes; / was" answered Mr.. Stokes,
Yes. L think you voted against me"
said Mr.. Meredith with a smile.
yes" answered Mr.. Stokes, with a
laugh.
Didn't you vote for Judge Christian
asked Mr.. Meredith.
"Well, / hone you won't hold that
against me-" said Mr.. Stokes, and judge,
Jury. and spectators had good laugh
Il didn't think you held heat so long"
said Mr. Carter to Mr.. Meredith.
Mr. Shelton vas asked a few more
questions as to Mr.. Adams's handwriting,
and was told to stand aside.
ACCOUNTANT BOUDAR TESTIFTEs.
Mr.. II. b. Boudar, the expert accountant
who made the first examination OF the
books and papers at the gas-works, was
to examine the accounts of Mr. Adams
by the Committee on Light. He stated
that ne covered all the ground that was
necessary IN his examination, and he was
satisfied that his report Of the con-
dition of Mr.. Adams's books was cor
rect. He explained 10 the jury the
method that he employed in ascertain
ing the result which he reached, and
several documents were exhibited. show
ing the amount of money taken in at
the gas-works and the amount paid 10
the Auditor. He had considerable trouble
I'm getting the figures TO tally. and was
forced 10 refer 10 the books or the Au-
dtor 10 get the amoun that had been
paid him for coke for the CITY Mission,
Relief Of the Poor and for the Woman's
City Mission.
A great pile Of documents were sub
ritted by Mr.. Meredith. including pay
rolls tickets. copies Of ordinances, drafts
of committee meetings, and reports. Mr..
Adans's handwriting was Identified in
connection with all Of them.
Tbe pay-rolls were examined. and it
uas shown that certain amounts had
been deducted from the wages OF the
enplovees. but nothing could be found
10 show that this amount had ever been
turned over 10 the city. great num-
her of shortages from day TO day were
,,ointed out By the Accountant, and the
court took a recess for dinner.
THE AFTERNOON SESSION.
The afternoon session was devoted In
tho main 10 the examination Of Mr. Bou-
Ar Who explained the condition In
which he found the books and papers at
En- gas-works. especially referring to
the mutilated condition OF the coke-stub-
hooks 10 which reference has several
tiyoes been made. Mr.. Boudar also tes-
titled as TO the total shortage as aseer-
tanned bv him from the books, etc., at
tho gas-works, as compared 10 the
Nenres of the books in the City Auditors
once Mr.. Boudar was asked TO make
M, detailed statement relative TO this
Sieference and have it ready when court
,orveres this morning, which he agreed
10 do. 1870
tain John NJ. Higgins. who was fox seve-
raj wears chairman OF the Committee on
rfgbt lie was questioned by Mr. Car
TO- for the defence. and said that prior
10 tS79 the Superintendent had charge OF
au the coke transactions, but that some
oa,oni,catlons arose. and In that year an
ordinance was adopted putting them
r,der the book-keeper, and requiring
IT., 20 give bond. Mr.. Meredith con-
tended that this made no difference. The
remainder of Captain Hggins's ta<ti-
monv was unimportant
court adjourned until 10 o'clock this