The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-01-04
ASSOCIATES OF CARTER
Are Having q Hearing Before the United
States Commissioner Shields.
CAPTAIN GILLETTE WAS ON THE STAND
Thc Defense Endeavored 10 Procure
from Him the Government Cory
of the Contract.

New York, January S.--The examination
OF Benjamin d. Greene, John i. Gaynor,
William T. Gaynor and Edward y. Gaynor,
indicted on a charge OF defraudng the
United States government out Of s571,7oO
in connection with the Savannah river and
Cumberland sound improvements, was be-
gun today before United States Commits
sloner Shields. Just prior to the opening
OF the session the mysterious woman who
had made charges against John F Gaynor
at the last session appeared in the corri-
doris OF the building and renewed her
charges against him MIR. Gaynor, who
was present, said he did not know the wo-
man.
Cassius NJ. Gillette United States en-
glneer corps, was first placed on the stand
for crosse examination by Lawyer Abram
j. Rose Of counsel for the contractors. Mr.,
Rose questioned Captain Gillette with ref
erence to his identification of each OF the
defendants, and then asked for the produc-
lion of the original contract between the
United States government and the con-
tractors
Commissioner Shields ruled that the
counsel for the accused contractors would
have to introduce his copy OF the con-
tract II he wanted the paper as evidence.
Mr.. Rose then went into a minute exam
nation of his witness as to his personal
knowledge OF the bids for the contracts,
of the presentation of the claims on tho
contracts of certain checks said to have
been issued by Captain o. NJ. Carter the
engineer in charge prior to July &c, 1897,
etc
United States District Attorney Burnett
objected. saying that the only points to be
determined at the examination we're tho
Identification OF the accused and if there
was probable cause on which to hold tho
men.
Mr.. Rose said he was endcayorng TO
prove that the indictment was untrue.
Commissioner Shields said that the only
questions TO be decided, as he understood
the law, were Identity and probable cause.
Notwithstanding this ruling, Mr.. Rose
continued to question Captain Gillette as
10 the duties of district engineers. This
was objected to by Mr.. Burnett
Mr., Rose explained that he was erdeav-
oring TO prove that the district engineer
has really no power TO make contracts and
simply acts as the clerk and under the di-
rect orders of the engineers.
Mr.. Rose continued his examination Of
Captain Gillette. but his questions were
objected to and Commissioner Shields
ruled that they need not be answered, as
they were mmaterial and irrelevant
Mr.. Rose made formal demand for the
original contracts for the improvements Of
Savannah or Cumberland sound, The de-
mand was refused because there was no
evidence to show that they are in this dis
trict.
Mr. Pos. thn,,aet,nd fo, a q, .lsa,,,,,,>, 49,.
so that he could get the papers in legal
way. This was objected to by General
Burnett, who said he wanted the eXamin-
alton finished without DELAY
United States District Attorney Edwin
then asked the witness II he had any
knowledge Of the connection OF the de-
PENDANTS with tho Savannah work after
July 20, 1897
Mr. Rose objected, saying that the In
dictment alleged offenses committed prior
to that date. ~ @0i
Commissioner Shields allowed the ques-
ton to strengthen the Identification OF
the contractors.
YES" answered Captain. Gillette. az
have official communications from them
and l have paid Greene money on those
contracts I have had verbal and official
contracts with the Gaynors The money
was pad for work alleged TO have been
uoHe curing tne month OF July. before and
after July 20, 1897. I gave the check 10
I cireene on or about August /. 1897. II was
for about 100000. was inclined to keen
back some OF the money at the time"
This ended Captain Gillette's examina-
ton, and then Assistant District ATTORNEY
Baldwin introduced the bail bonds as adj
| dinonal eidence toward proving the idep-
tity of the accused contractors.
Commissioner Shields allowed the papers
In evidence ard the government then rest
ca the case. The examination was ad-
journed until tomorrow. when the defense
will present its case.