The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1898-01-25

tlon and often citizens told them There
was great deal Of preliminary work neces-
sary on the part of Architect Hill before the
actual beginning of the new hospital and
improvements This work was done prn.
/ cipally before May II, 1896.
/ q. Was it not understood when Solicitor
! Ulrich drew up the g, OJO contract with Ar
chitect Hill, that it was understood to refer
to future work, and was so signed by the
Commissioners?
Objection by Mr. Schalck
Court sustained the objection, SAYING it
was a public contract and would speak for
itself; any private understanding at the
time would not affect it now.
THE prosecution claims the $4,000 should
include all tho architect services and that
he is not entitled to 81 625 additional he
drew.l
COMMISSIONERS TRIP.
Mr. Rentz explained the trip to the Com
missioners' convention at Meadyille aud on
the New York trip they received no money
from any person; the bill for laying out the
North Mannheim independent School District
was paid because the Clerk Of the Courts had
issued the certificate Attorney Whitehouse' S
bill Of S2OS had been paid for services
rendered to Controller Severn and Attorney
Wilhelm was allowed his salary of $500 a
year for work done in connection with the
County Auditors.
THE LOBBYISTS.
Mr. Rentz told OF the visit Of the Bar
Association committee and of how the
Commissioners were induced TO spend money
to defeat the new county bill, and the
Orphans Court bill. He said the Hazleton
people who were booming the new county
bill had lot of money at their disposal and
they had to fight them hard or lose not a
dollar was paid out other than tor expeE
there might have been saving if they #
stopped at dollar a day hotel instead IF a
two-and -a-half one; one person, Mr. ID. D.
Philips lost his pocket book. containing $50.
on the train, and some wanted us to re-
imburse him, but we did not. We instructed
Mr.. Ulrich to prepare brief for submission
to the Governor.
There was nothing paid ont corruptly for
the banquet given the members of the Com
mlssioners convention at Tumbliug Run the
money was for the meals, flowers aud button
hole bouquets the bouquets cost cents a
piece; the bills were itenized
On the subject of court house plumbing the
witness stated that the work done bv the
court house contractor was found light and
weak in many places, making new work nee
| essary. He knew Of no fraudulent bills paid
and the bills were presented as ordinary bills
THE $4,000 Loss.
Q. In reference to the $4,000 loss. | call
your attention to the first S., 900 discrepancy
ef July 3, 1895. How was the loan account
kept?
A. | found that tho only account kept
when l took office was by means of the
carbon copies. When, note came due the
Chlef Clerk placed the copy before us
then we either paid the note or renewed it,
and gave the new note TO the Chief Clerk.
We always gave the notes to the Chief Clerk
to have cashed, and he was told to keen the
cancelled notes and carbon copies in the
vaults.
Q. When did you first learn of the $4,000
discrepancy Of July 3, 1895.
! A. Last summer.
O. When did Deputy Treasury Kline call
your attention to it?
A. think it was in January 1897 l i'm
mediately got the Chief Clerk to make a
search and we went over the temporary
loan account. Mr.. Rentz then told of the
discovery of the discrepancy in the way
frequently told in these columns
| z. You have been charged with embezzling
this $4,000. Did you or the Commissioners
either steal or embezzle that amount?
Objected to by Mr.. Schalck, who said there
was no allegation that the Commissioners
stole it,
A. Il can answer this question in this
manner nave never embezzled nor stole
$4,000; l believe"
Mr.. Schalck; Hold on Your belief is
not evidence"
Mr.. Rentz; Il never stole nor embezzled
any and neither did my colleagues, so far as
| know"
@. You never paid anything fraudently to
the Safe Deposit Bank?
A. No, sir and never knew anything of
such charge until few months ago we
found certain paper which led us to believe
our exchief clerk had something to do with
1t, and we prosecuted him, by advise of
counsel.
.. Did you not assist and offer to assist the
Taxpayers Association
! A. Yes sir.
Q. Is there not one note missing?
A. Yes, sir, the one of July 3, 1895.
O. Did you find the original resolution of
June 8?
A, No, sir.
Q. Did you find the note of June 6.
A. Yes, sir, and the resolution of June s.
Q, You are charged with frauduently and
falsely paying interest. Tell US how you
came to pay interest on that money?
A. We paid the interest when the notes
were due.
Q, At the request of your chief clerkY
A, was his duty to report when they
came Iue.
O. Did you pay any money falsely or frau
dulently2
A, We didn't, because we didn't know
there was fraud until it was called to our
attention by the so-called Tax Payers Asso-
ciatlOn.
The witness was handed the g., 600 note of
June 9, 1896, with the $4,000 resolution of
June sth. He by direction of Mr. Marr read
the false resolution Of June 9th, 1896, recit-
ing that = $1,000 note, 500 note and a
$4,000 note were due and renewed by one
$4,000 note for 3 months. and the note of
June 9th, for $4,000. He then read the cor
rect resolution Of June s. 1896, reoiting that
two $4,000 notes and SIS 600 note are due
and that new loan Of 5000 was created, a
note for $4,000 being given. Both resolu.
tions were signed by Phil J, Connell, Chief
Clerk, and the Commissioner signature with
ConnelPs were on the note
THE BRIDGES
q, You are charged with neglect ng t,
Continued on Fourth page,l
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