The Savannah morning news., 1901-06-23
SENSATION FOR BRUNSWICK.
-Four Promtn emit Men to BE Tried on
Serious Charges This Week.

Serious Charges This Week.
Brunswick, Ga, June 22.-on Monday
Judge Seabrook will convene Glynn Su-
perior Court to try four men, residents
and former residents of this city VINO
are charged with embezzhng sums vary
sne from $4,000 to $4,000, making an ag-
greeate of about 100000, yet all of whom
are either legal or practical bankrupts'
These men are Messrs. A. II. Lane j. M.
Madden ]. L. Beach and II. H. Har-
vey. Each has loyal friends and able
counsel who assert belief in their limo
cerce. The prominence of the accused
both local and state, has aroused the
deepest interest in the outcome and TINS
session of court promises to go down IN
the history of Glynn county as one OF
the most memorable ever known. Messrs.
A. H. Lane and J. NJ, Madden were Off
cials president and vice president, in the
old Merchants and Traders Bank, and
the case against them hinges on
their management of this defunct insti-
tuition The bank failed in 1897, and there
were many rumors aaoat respecting the
management during the last few months
of its existence There was an inVestl-
cation The outcome was the payment
of a large sum of money to the receiver
which was. in turn, distributed to the
banks creditors. In consideration of these
two payments, which are understood TO
have been about twentyodd thousand dol
Jars all told, 1t was generally understood
by the public that there would be no
prosecutions, and it seems that various
grand juries took this view of the case
and let them both pass many times with
out indictments.
Just whether any guilt will be proven
as to the alleged wrong or what view the
jury will take of the implied settlement
made by the cash payments is now the
problem that is occupying the public
mind.
In the case of former Treasurer Har-
vey some complex questions are also pug
cling the public mind MIR. Harvey de-
cided to surrender his office and run Tor
county clerk He, however, changed his
mind about resigning, but made the race
anyway He was defeated, but in the
meantime Chief of Police Lewis Beach
decided to resign his position. In adjust
ing the chiefs accounts City Clerk 30
Diet discovered an apparent error OF $1,000.
This called for an investigation on That
oficials part, and in the course of 1t ne
found due bin of the treasurer for S,00O.
Under a system that formerly prevailed
in these departments these due bills were
given to the chief, who also acted as city
q final accounting of tax sales was made
by the marshal the treasurers due bills
were handed in as cash. When shown the
due bill which relieved the city marshal,
Treasurer Harvey stated that an error
must be out somewhere as his books bal
anced He then called on the city clerk
for an investigation and was astounded
when told by the official that he was
$4,000 short Investigating did not change
AZ a rfa1l
vey has been going over the books and
st is understood that he has found some
important evidence which will be intro
duced.
His friends have never wavered in their
support and belief in his being able to
clear himself. In the case against Mr..
Beach the charge Is that OF Illegal traf-
fic in old G1ynn county bonds. Mr.. Beach
Is alleged to have bought Glynn county
bonds, and sold them again to the county
in some instances redeeming the same
bonds more than once. Some OF the trans
actions are alleged to have taken place
during his incumbency Of the office of
county clerk, and while the bonds were
In his custody, and the custody Of the
County Commissioners whose clerk he
was. When the new order Of things in
Glynn county politics placed men of an
opposing faction in Office an investiga-
tion OF the bond matters was begun. This
Investigation resulted in the
Indictment against Mr.. Beach,
He does not deny that he bought and
sold Glynn county bonds, but does most
strenuouslv DENY having done so illegally
The public is impatient to have these
cases disposed of, as a deep personal in
terest is felt in all the defendants. 1t
is understood that the defense will de-
mand trial In each of the cases should
the prosecution not be ready, but from
late reports the prosecution will be ready
in all OF them.
During the trials Judge Seabrooks will
preside as Judge Bennett is disqualified.