The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-01-09
USED THE COUNTY'S FUNDS.
now RENssELAER COUNTY WAS
ROBBED OF SeOS, IG3.

Former County Treasurer H1errisep. New In
Ciinten Prison. says ne ToeL Fart or the
Money to Aid Fred Deicrmeister or Trey In
business Tranaaotions-The Charge Denied.
TROY, Jan. SIN Clinton Prison yesterday
ex-County Treasurer George II. Morrison de-
clared that he embezzled Rensselaer, county
funds to aid Frederick Beiermeister OF this city
in business transactions. This statement caused
a big sensation when 1t became known In Troy.
Morrison was examined at tho prison yesterday
in connection with q suit OF the county against
the National Bank OF Troy for the recovery Of
S2O5, 1873. SO of county funds deposited In tho
bank and alleged TO have been converted to his
own use by Morrison when he was cashier
Of the bank. Morrison told in detail his
transactions as cashier OF tho bank and as
County Treasurer. He referred particularly TO
his dealings with Fred Beiermeister. He told of
going to New York in July, 1896, and that no
had kept notes of the Troy and Coboes Shirt
Company in his safe aggregating moro than
$4,000. Morrison said that when he returned
from New York the notes wero not in tho safe,
and that he had not authorized Mr.. Beiermeister
to take them. Neither had he authorized Mr..
De Groot, his law partner. to give Thorn to Mr..
Boiermeister. Meanwhile, in the absence Of
Mr.. Klock from the city, Mr.. was
acting as President Of the bank.
4 Wdb hioIihCu nv u IL uotCut
he Naid. IT was very angry with Mr.. Beier-
meister for taking them. and told him that it
was not right. 1t ives illegal, and I would not
stand 1t. He placed part Of the money to tho
credit Of the County Treasurer, and with the
t balance retired Obligations OF mine and on
for all tho notes and took the money from tho
County Treasures funds; Mr.. Beiermeister
ton in which said to him that II I
purchased some Star Mill stock for Beicrmeis.
ter. and told him that 1 hed no money and
been settled. l told him that l would give him a
County Treasurer's check for it. 1 gave tho
gave Mr.. Beiermcister a check on the county
account for $4,000 worth of international
B eie uas tepit other pG COUNTY TF no.ssi sS checks 9s.
They were for two $4,000 notes. the individual
notes Of Mr.. B%eiermeister. The notes of tho
Star Knitting. Mill Company were presented
for payment. charged to tho company's account.
and | made good the account by depositing
Fred Beiermeister was seen'this afternoon at
the office Of the Troy and Cohoes Shirt Com
PPa a MEor He was asked as to the statement made
torney Of the bank no did not care to say any
thing, as it might, prejudice the banks case.
pare a Statement ' He was vas asked f Raes such 10 a Pee dc.
tailed statement, but he refused to give II. say
ing that he expected that he would be called to
testify at Dannemora at the next hearing, al.
though he had not been notified yet, and until
after that he would not talk.
He was questioned rs to the statement about
his going into Morrison's law office and taking
the notes valued at $4O.O 900 and discounting
them. He said he did not do this, as Mr.. De
rison bought any Troy and Cohoes Shirt Com
pany stock with county funds. He said that he
knew nothing about the money Morrison used
to buy this stock being county money. He de-
MED that he knew that any money which Nor
rison used to buy stock Of the International
Shirt and Collar Company was county funds.
He did not care to make any further statement
give a complete statement of the affairs as he
knows them to be.
Mr.. De Groot, tho former law partner OF Nor
rison. said to-day that there was nothing wrong
about the removal of the notes from Morrison's
safe at the time the former County Treasurer
was in New York. He as his partner had a power
of attorney. Mr.. Beiermeister Game to him and
he wanted to help him. said no
had discovered that 1t was an urgent case, that
Morrison was away, and that certain obliga-
tions were due. If he could have the notes that
were In the safe and not yet matured, he could
negotiate them and meet the obligations. The
balance he would dispose of as Mr.. De Groot
directed. Mr.. De Groot says that, acting under
Beiermeister and directed him to place any
balance to the credit OF the County Treasurer's
fund. This he understood was done.
The examination has been adjourned until
next Friday, when Morrison will be asked to
give further testimony. Ex-Judge Griffith.
counsel Tor the prosecution, said to-day that it
Is his intention to bring out the fact that the
county money and that they are for that reason