Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-09-04
asainst him. the last payment being
maze the "a OF last month.
NO ACTUAL SHORTAGE

asainst him. the last payment being
'""oe the "a OF last month.
NO ACTUAL SHORTAGE.
On cross-examination, Mr.. Lipscomb
showed by the witness that the greater
part or the alleged shortage was on cur
rent cases and Mr.. Lipscomb contended
mat MS client had the money but a few
pays intending TO turn Ii over at the
earliest practicable time. Mr.. LipscomD
aiso claimed that 1t VIII be shown that
the government Is indebted to the ac-
cused. rather than that there is any
shortage, and that II was simply a mat
ter of difference In politics and in the
keping Of accounts.
EXAMINATION RESUMED.
The case was continued before United
States Commissioner Samuel G. Mills at
o'clock this afternoon. Mr.. Hugh 4.
Taggart appearing for the government
and Messfs. Andrew Lpscomp ana Cnares
ID. Turner for the accused.
The prosecution continued, the first wit
ness called being Harry Chapman. n clerk
In the Inspectors office OF the Post-Ofiice
Department. Mr.. Chapman testified that
he had been so employed during Mr.. Ar
rington's incumbency. Witness made up
every month a report OF all cases re-
ceived and closed, and when Mr. Hamlet
took the Office witness made up state
ment of the condition OF the work. lie
made out a receipt TO be signed by Mr..
Arlington and Mr.. Hamlet, when the
papers I'm the Office were turned over TO
the latter.
Several very lively tilts occurred over
the examination Of the witness. Mr..
Lipscomb objected to Mr.. Taggarts ques-
tions one after another. He declared that
the prosecution was attempting TO try
the accused by inuendo The objections
were overrued.
HAMLET REFUSED TO SIGN.
Witness said Mr.. Hamlet refused 70 sign
the receipt. Later on July 18TH. Mr.. Ar
rington came 10 witness and handed him
$3.50. which he said had been overlook
ed in settling "A case. Mr.. Arlington on
this occasion said this payment squared
his account entirely. Mr.. Arlington sub
sequently July 2lth) turned over A6l5S
on account of Virginia case; July 2uh
Mr.. Arlington turned over money in three
cases. amounting in all to about Sl,4OO.
July 30th he turned In $io9.19. This cover
ed the case in Warrington, w. va, ana
another smaller case.
The money in the case Of Belvidere. y.
c.. under consideration. was included In
the payment Of July 9th. No money from
the Halifax case was included in any OF
these payments.
When witness looked up the Halifax
case he said there was nothing OF II, ex-
cept the jacket Witness examined tne
case. because of report OF Inspector
Gregory.
Upon cross-examination by Mr.. Lips
comb. Mr.. Chapman testified that when
Mr. Arlington turned over the amounts
he had recited on direct examination,
he (Arrngton) was still a bonded oificer
of the Post-Ofice Department. witness
did not know when Arlington received the
money. 49,.
Mr.. Lipscomb: They are evidently try
ing to show that embezzlemenr consists
in turning in money TO the proper custo-
dian.
Witness, continuing, in reply to, the at
a1F
amounts turned in as recited might have
been received only short time before ne
turned them over by Mr.. Arlington. but
did not think they had been received the
day before.
TAKES TINE TO CONSIDER.
When asked If he ever had conversa-
tion with Inspector Hamlet ABOUT the
Halifax case, where an alleged shortage
occurred. and if ne (witness) had sug-
gested to Mr.. Hamlet that he should
make demand on Mr. Arlington Tor the
amount or make mention Of II TO MN,
MIR. Chapman thought a very long time.
and finally said:
II think did say something about IT.
"Will YOU kindly tell us what Mr. Ham
let said IN reply?' asked Mr.: LlpscomD.
Witness pOndered again for period,
and then replied that he didn't think ne
could remember.
ON redirect examination, witness said
he kept the cash-bOok, but Mr.. Arlington
received all the money whlle Inspector III
charge. Mr.. Arlington would make note
on q slip of paper that such an amount OF
money had been received in certain
case, and witness would record IL IN the
cash hbOok.
witness tust wnat the cash-book was in
tended for. 1t developed finally that no
entries were made unless Mr.. Arlington
gave witness q slip. Usually the sip was
given when money received nau peeIl ue-
Il,
deposited money received to his own ac-
count. the cash-book would not show IL.
INSPECTOR GREGORY TESTlFIES.
The next witness was Post-Oftce-In-
spector Gregory. His duties were III VIZ
ginia and North Carolina. lie had m
snected the case of the Belvidere IN. @
post-office April 20, 1897 and collected N'
from the post-oflice, and Auril "a re-
ceived $23 more. Witness inclosed the SiV
TO Mr.. Arlington in registered letter
also forwarded a New York draft for the
balance OF the BelVidere postmaster ac-
count TO Mr.. Arlington from wilmington
N C. April 20. Witness handed IN let
ceipt of the letters and Enclosures. The
letter was read. In the letter the receipt
of $3.50 was acknowledged by Mr.. AIRING
ton. 80, - ,,,h,o,,
MIR Gregory then read the rules wnich
govern inspectors in cases OF posunasters
ybo are found short, which instruct them
TO deposit collections and SAID ne had not
followed the rules because he had received
different instructions from Mr.. Arlington,
tho inspector in charge, under date OF
November g 1896 in which he was told 10
collect money and receipt for IT, ana sehu
IL TO Arlington, so that he tArIlhstohp
could make ~ better showing here az the
Office. After that all moneys collected py
xvitness were sent 30 Mr.. Arlington. iad
ne not received the latteTs letter ne
would have continued to deposit money
receiyed and notified the department ol
'he places of deposit. 80,
Tnspector Gregory. continuing his tesu-
nony. recited other instances IN Whlch ne
bad made collections from delinquent
nostmasters and forwarded the amounts
snecifving the dates, TO lnspector-in-
Charge Arlington.
THE HALIFAX CASE.
Srhe Halifax post-ofiice case, when nad
hean freouently mentioned was again
hrought m. and it was developed that
ebortaee had been caused IN the accounts
of the postmaster, Cora E. Davis, py the
Commencement of over NOoV OF the once
funds by her brother, VINO was aires.eu; ~,
convicted. and sent TO the penltehtlaty
for the offence. .,..,,
Mr. Tapgart presented a letter written
March Z 1897. by Mr.. Arlington 10 lnspec-
tor Gregory. instructing him 10 drop the
case and said that this was Just aiter
Gregory had sent Arlington $40 on ac-
~.a,'f ~ me settlement which had never
hoen acknowledged by Mr.. Arlington ~
Great deal OF time was taken up IN op-
iections by Mr. Lipsccmb TO the intTouuc-
ZION of the letters and this KIND OF con-
tron,cTsv ,,V,r oyas in progress when the stars
report closed.