Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-04-14

Philadelphia, April 13.-Proceedings
in the trial of ex-senator Quay to-day
were tedious, but nevertheless interest
ing in their bearing upon the future of
the case. District Attorney Rothermel
placed upon the stand in succession the
paying teller, receiving teller and book
to prove the books. All of these, in
answer to questions, made reference to
Senator QuayS account, and the book
keepers said they had entered the fig
ures, but none of the books were open
ed to show what the nature of the ac-
count was. This will be done later. All
of the bank employees on cross-exam-
mated stated that they had never. seen
Senator Quay's deposit book and they
did not believe there was one.
1t has been limited that the defense
will claim that Senator Quay's account
in the ledger was fictitious as far as
he was concerned, and that the Sena-
tors name was used by Hopkins as a
cloak for his own personal transac-
lions. The cross-examination to-day
would seem to bear out this theory.
The "red book was big feature of
the days proceedings, figuring indi-
rectly in the testimony of several wit
nesses. Its pages were gone over re-
peatedly and the question of its identi-
fication with the business of the bank
was discussed and when court adjourn
ed handwriting expert was on the
stand identifying the writing in it as
the work of Hopkins.
All of this was accomplished by the
district attorney in spite Of the pro-
tests of the three acute, aggressive law
yers employed by Senator Quay, who
fought in vain against the web of cir
cumstantial evidence involving the red
book to such an extent that it seems
almost certain that this necessary piece
after all.
1t was evident from the District At
torney's attitude to-day that he pro-
poses to formally offer the book in
evidence in a day or two, and he ap-
pears confident of his ability to intro
duce the testimony which it's pages
contain, and which is so vital in the
establishment of the charge of con-
spiracy between Quay, Haywood and
Hopkins, to use the money of the State
for illicit gain. AS the latter two are
dead, only Senator Quay remains to
face the charge.
The most interesting witness of the
day was Clay Kemble, son of VIM. H.
Kemble, deceased, the founder of the
Peoples bank. Mr.. Kemble was as
sistant cashier and a director as well,
He did not take a very active part in
the operation of the bank, being there
as representative of his fathers es-
tate. On cross-examination he denied
having any bias against anybody con-
neoted with the failure of the bank and
said neither he nor his mother was be-
hind the prosecution.
When asked what Hopkins duties
were he replied: "He was the whole
bank" While this witness was on the
stand the District Attorney gained
signal victory by securing the admis-
sion of the minute book of the bank,
in which cashier Hopkins kept a rec
ord of the meetings of the Board OF
Directors. The particular entry bear
ing on the Quay case which the Dis
tict Attorney was anxious to get in.
is under date of August 8, 1896. 1t
reads:
THE only offering for loan before
the board was the note of fSenator)
Arthur Kennedy and R. R. Quay in
dorsed by M. S. Quay, with stock of
attached. 1t was agreed to
make this loan provided R. r. Quay
complied with the Presidents request
for certain letter"
1.-THE certain letter" is the one which is
regarded as the most damaging evidence
against Senator Quay's son. 1t is as fol-
lows.
commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Treasury Department.
HARRISBURG, Pa. July 81, 1895.
James McManes, Esq, Peoples Bank,
Philadelphia
Dear Sir
ION Monday we will mali you a check
for 10000 for credit of Commonwealth of
Pennsylvania general fund, which win
make credit to our account of 10000.
The understanding is that / am not to
draw against any part of this deposit I'M
til the Hon. r. r. Quay has paid or ar
ranged satisfactory to you the loan of
$4,000 which you are to make to him next
week.
Very truly,
(Signed) "B. J. HAYWOOD.
State Treasurer"
The defense objected strenuously to the
minute book. saying that although the
$4,000 note bears Senator Quay's indorse-
ment. he knew nothing whatever of the
letter from Haywood and had nothing TO
do with the juggling Of State money in