The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1900-07-21

Win reference to the last Allegation,
will state that Mr.. Banner was hottie |
that we did not rely on that one, and that
was confident from what investiga-
tion | had made after | had made the
allegation that the city could not sub
stantiate the proof or any part OF it. con-
sequently do not think that Mr.. Banner
was called upon to answer, and shall
object now 30 any testimony with refer
ence to that incriminating any one, In
GLIDING himself, with taking the books"
I'm other words" said Mr.. Coleman,
you withdraw that portion OF the COM
plant" to which Mr.. Sam replied Yes.
II want to say said Mr.. Coleman, to
your honor and the aldermen that II un
derstand the inception OF this case, about
live months ago MIR. Banner was suspended
for some breach OF duty In office. which
was about twenty -four hours AFTER the
dIsappearance of the books. He has been
suspended ever since. and ne. aad MS
family have been under cloud OF sus-
pcon THAT he has committed the higl
crime OF having fraudulently destroyed
the cltys records, forsooth, l dare aay
1t is said to cover up his own suit but
at the expiration of Ave months eighty
odd charges are brought against him for
misconduct In office, the evidence has
been heard, covering a period OF about
two weeks, touching the truth or falslty
of those charges. | believe l can say with
out any presumption that the aldermen.
as we'll as your honor, have been con-
WINGED that almost. if not, al OF these
| charges are without foundation. Toe
whole thing has dwlndled down to a mere
question OF whether or not there has been
a little negligence as TO one or TWO or
three OF these transactions. All the Grim
inality ae to some eighty ODD charges
has been successfully retuted | speak
with absolute Difference to the opinion Ct
the aldermen, because we have ~ bow 10
their will and hnal decision"
Mr. Coleman was here Interrupted by
the mayor on the question OF why ne ad
dressed the council, and the former stated
that he addressed them on tho Importance
OF the question OF inqulring into the loss
OF the books.
"a. S-most the expiration OF this trial,
oontlnu Mr.. Coleman, the real charge,
and The charge on which this man is
placed under suspicion and the brand of
cr!minality placed over him is abandoned
and we are told that he is not now
charged with the crime for which he was
suspended"
BY what authority, MIR, Colsman, 90
you make this charge" asked Mayor
Brashear
81 make the charge. sir" replied Mr..
Coleman, upon a notorious fact known
TO every one in this city"
"Connne yourself to the records" said
the mayor.
81 make this charge that he was sus-
pended on the following day"
Mayor Brashear interrupted him with tho
assertion that II was on tho second day,
and Mr. Coleman admitted that he STOOD
corrected on this point
Not charge Of the complaint" con-
tnued Mr. Coleman. has ever been filed
against him until the report of this board
Of experts has been filed in this tribunal,
ard they, some eighty odd charges, have
fallen to the ground for the want of proof,
say In Justice to Mr.. Banner that he
should be given a right to say to the
world whether or not that charge is true.
The man has been held under he ban of
crime for Ave months, blackeuing his
record OF the past and damned him for the
tuture, and still you say we withdraw
the charge.
He has naught to fear. he fears not tho
light Of investigation. He has been
bounded and hunted and brought before
Two grand juries sit ing for month each.
; composed of twenty-four OF oar chosen
citizens. and with indictment and in this
, Investigation YOU now withdraw the charge
with is the very meat and the very bone
, of hle whole action as TO his suspension.
! want to declare before this council that
when ! came here day before yesterday
It was for the purpose. as then declared.
|
tribunal that the people OF Houston might
know all the facts from Mr.. Banners
standpoint touching the mysterious dis
? appearance OF he books. II he IS anied
this occasion never again will he have
the opportunity to state the facts. This
Us the FIRST and last opportunity He can
not hle impeachment proceedings against
himself He can not declare the homes y
of himself He can not make voluntary
statement to the passing throng, the peo-
pie would not believe him. But under the
solemnity of an oath and before this
tribunal he proposes 10 say to the world
what he has Ia say, want Il under
stood that we are ready to proceed with
II, and [ want to know II the charge Is
withdrawn"
Yes. sir" said City Attorney sam
Il want 10 state said Mayor Bra
shear, that acting as one OF the parties
who suspended Mr. Banner that that was
not the entire reason nn It was one of
them"
What Is the ruling Of your honor upon
the question now before us?" asked At
torney Coleman, to which question the
mayor replied that he understood that
they had abandoned that charge
You knew that several days ago." said
the city attorney. addressing MIR. Cole
man.
Il have The utmost faith in you person
, ally, Mr. sam, and believe You are hon
I est, but your statement as taken down
by the stenographers was that YOU would
Introduce the ordinance OF the city Great
ing the office Of city auditor which shows
ina he was the custodian Of the clty's
books You have shown by Mr. Szabc
that the books have disappeared, which
makes prima facie case against Mr.
Banner This explanation we propose ia
make. Those are the facts; do not mis-
quote me, Mr. Sam
In regard to the statement that Mr.
Banner was bounded, said Mr. Brashear.
would state that the fact OF the matter is
and everybody ought to know II now. thar
the clty's complaint not only referred IA
the experts, but u the finance commit
tee, | was member OF that finance com
: mittee and | want to say that / have no
objection myself to this matter being gone
Into Mr.. Coleman replied Yes, Your
honor, | am sure. doubly sure. OF that"
Il had endeavored to be quite Inner
[ sonal in my illusions and have made ma
reference to the finance committee or 10
any other committee" said Mr.. Coleman.
II say this" said that gentleman c5ntin-
uins that we ought to come to the issue
: before us as to Mr. Banners knowledra
OF the mysterious disappearance OF tns
D books"
That was never the only charge or the
only Issue said the mayor
Il thought that the thing was nil SGT
4 Nsn1